Science Across Borders, Opportunities for All

Science thrives on the exchange of knowledge and ideas across borders. Even in times of political division and conflict, scientific cooperation can create common ground. This is the message of UNESCO's World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated today under the theme “Common ground through science diplomacy”.

The foundations for scientific understanding, however, are laid long before anyone enters a laboratory or university. They begin with learning to read and calculate, and with developing the ability to think critically. For children growing up in war-torn regions, acquiring these skills can be particularly challenging. In Ukraine, years of disrupted schooling, remote learning, and displacement have severely affected educational opportunities.

Education also extends beyond the classroom. Children need opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and creative expression, particularly when everyday life is shaped by uncertainty and conflict.

This broader understanding of education guides the work of Science4People, founded in 2022 by Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz and members of his team. SKOLA+ helps children catch up on missed lessons and encourages their curiosity. SPORT+ brings young people together through physical activity and team sports. The recently introduced ART+ programme offers opportunities to explore artistic techniques, sharpen their powers of observation, and develop their own forms of expression.

World Science Day for Peace and Development reminds us that the value of scientific progress also depends on who has the opportunity to benefit from it. Providing children with the foundations to learn, explore, and develop their potential is one way of helping to ensure that these opportunities are available to them, regardless of the circumstances in which they grow up.