Head of new UN body on asbestos hot seat!

We are re-posting this important blog by Kathleen Ruff, Senior Human Rights Advisor and Board Member of the Rideau Institute. (See: Head of UN sponsored science initiative asked to uphold scientific evidence, RightonCanada,ca, 1 Dec. 2015).

 

Scientists and civil society organisations from around the world are asking Prof. Paul Shrivastava, a professor at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business and a long-time consultant to multi-national corporations, to uphold scientific evidence and human health.

Shrivastava has been appointed Executive Director of Future Earth, a major international research and policy initiative coming out of the UN Rio+20 conference. Future Earth will, it states, be  “the world’s largest research program — over 60,000 researchers — to address the greatest challenges facing humanity.”

Its mission is to achieve a world where decision-making is informed by the best available scientific evidence and knowledge so as to bring about “equitable, sustainable solutions to the most pressing issues currently confronting humankind.” Its governing council is comprised of the International Council for Science, the International Social Science Council, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations University and other leading organisations.

“Clearly, it is of critical importance that the Executive Director of Future Earth demonstrates commitment to scientific and ethical standards,” says Kathleen Ruff.

Concordia University has been made the international headquarters of Future Earth. If Future Earth is committed to upholding scientific evidence and helping humanity, it must clearly uphold those values at Concordia.

Kathleen Ruff, Senior Human Rights Advisor and Board Member of Rideau Institute, RightOnCanada.ca, December 1, 2015

Read more here: Head of UN sponsored science initiative asked to uphold scientific evidence