Tuesday, November 30, 2021

UNU-MERIT Event Today "Better Data, Better Decisions? Will improved data sharing lead to improved decision-making in humanitarian response?"

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From: UNU-MERIT Events <webmaster@merit.unu.edu>

UNU-MERIT EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology

 

Title:Better Data, Better Decisions? Will improved data sharing lead to improved decision-making in humanitarian response?
Date:Dec 01, 2021
Time:15:30 - 17:00 CET
Venue:MS Teams (see Registration link above)
Type:External event
 
Abstract

Speakers: Jean-Martin Bauer (WFP)

Tina Comes (Maastricht University SBE / UNU-MERIT)

Moderators: Jos Berens (Centre for Humanitarian Data, UN OCHA)
Thomas Baar (UNU-MERIT)

Registration: https://icrcanalysisevidenceweek.rsvpify.com/

Contact details
Thomas Baar
UNU-MERIT
Boschstraat 24
6211 AX Maastricht
the Netherlands
tel: +31 (0)43 388 44 00
W: https://www.merit.unu.edu | https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/governance
E: baar@merit.unu.edu
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNUMERIT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedNationsUniversityMerit

The full calendar of events can be found at: https://www.merit.unu.edu/events/.

Monday, November 29, 2021

e-Launch of Report "A Critical Review of Smart Charging Strategies and Technologies for Electric Vehicles" | Today at 15:30 IST

Report Launch

A Critical Review: Smart Charging Strategies and Technologies for Electric Vehicles

Simulation-based study to evaluate the effects of E-mobility smart charging strategies

30th November 2021 from 15:30 to 17:30 hrs IST | 11:00 to 13:00 hrs CET

What to expect from the event: The event will focus on importance of smart charging in India wherein the experts will discuss on critical aspects related to EV charging such as impact of EVs into the power system and power grid: challenges and opportunities, and the relevance of smart charging to solve such challenges and bring benefits at large.

Microsoft Teams-Meeting | Participate on the computer or via mobile app

Click here to join the event

 

 

GIZ India is delighted to announce the e-launch event for a report developed under the NDC-TIA India component. The Nationally Determined Contribution-Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA) is funded under the "International Climate Initiative (IKI) by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)". The activities under the NDC-TIA India component are carried out in close collaboration with NITI Aayog, Government of India (Implementation partner).

 

Under the India Component, we have an ongoing study "Simulation-based study to evaluate the effects of E-mobility smart charging strategies" implemented by a consortium led by Fraunhofer-Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE, Kassel, Germany and supported by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in India (IITB), Universidad Pontificia Comillas (IIT Comillas) in Madrid, Spain, and Technical University Denmark (DTU) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

Tata Power Company Limited, which is one of the largest integrated power company in India with a significant presence in all the segments of power sector, viz Fuel & Logistics, Generation (thermal, hydro, solar, and wind), Transmission, Distribution and Trading, is facilitating us with real data for a number of feeders across three cities of Delhi, Mumbai, and Bhubaneswar in India.

 

As part of the study, we have completed our first report titled "A critical review of Smart Charging Strategies and Technologies for Electric Vehicles", which we would like to release through this virtual event.

 

With immense pleasure, GIZ India along with the execution team cordially invite you to attend the e-launch event on 30th November 2021 from 15:30 to 17:30 hrs IST | 11:00 to 13:00 hrs CET.

 

This report is focused on the following key aspects:

  • Concept of smart charging,
  • Critical review of various smart charging strategies and approaches for electric vehicles,
  • Smart charging technologies and related products and solutions,
  • Gaps in Indian regulations and policies from smart charging perspective,
  • Commercially available smart charging products and equipment, and
  • Case studies of existing smart charging projects.

Kindly find enclosed the detailed agenda along with a brief note on the report for your reference.

If you need any further information in this regard, please feel free to reach out to us on shweta.kalia@giz.de or sahana.l@giz.de.

We look forward to your presence at the event.

Thank you.

With Regards,

 

Indradip Mitra

 

Dr.-Ing. Indradip Mitra

Team Leader – E-mobility

Indo-German Energy Programme (IGEN)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

1st Floor, B-5/2, Safdarjung Enclave

New Delhi 110 029, India

T +91 11 4949 5353   Ext : 2255 | F +91 11 4949 5391 | indradip.mitra[@]giz.de | S indradip_mitra | www.giz.de

Friday, November 26, 2021

UNESCO sets ambitious international standards for open science

UNESCO Press Release No.2021-128

 

UNESCO sets ambitious international standards for open science

 

Paris, 26 November - The first international framework on open science was adopted by 193 countries attending UNESCO's General Conference. By making science more transparent and more accessible, the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Sciencewill make science more equitable and inclusive. 

 

Through open science, scientists and engineers use open licenses to share their publications and data, software and even hardware more widely. Open science should, thus, enhance international scientific cooperation. 

 

"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus how open science practices such as open access to scientific publications, the sharing of scientific data and collaboration beyond the scientific community can speed up research and strengthen the links between science policy and society. The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science will drive the wider adoption of open practices, encourage greater endorsement of open science and ensure that research findings are beneficial to all", explained Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

 

Some 70% of scientific publications are locked behind paywalls. Over the past two years, however, this proportion has dropped to about 30% for publications on COVID-19 specifically. This shows that science can be more open. 

 

For the first time, a universal definition

Until today, there was no universal definition of open science and standards existed only at regional, national or institutional levels. In adopting the Recommendation, 193 countries have agreed to abide by common standards for open science. By rallying behind a set of shared values and guiding principles, they have adopted a common roadmap.

 

With its mandate for the sciences, UNESCO is driving at the global level the shift to open science and ensure that it truly contributes to bridging the knowledge and technology gaps between and within countries. 

 

Open science can be a powerful tool to reduce inequalities between and within countries and further the human right to enjoy and benefit for scientific progress, as stipulated in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

 

With this Recommendation, Member States have embraced the culture and practice of open science and agreed to report back every four years on their progress.

 

The Recommendation calls on Member States to set up regional and international funding mechanisms for open science and to ensure that all publicly funded research respects the principles and core values of open science. 

 

The Recommendation calls on Member States to invest in infrastructure for open science and to develop a framework outlining the requisite skills and competencies for those wishing to participate in open science. These stakeholders include researchers from different disciplines and at different stages of their career. 

 

Member States are encouraged to prioritize seven areas in their implementation of the Recommendation

  1. promoting a common understanding of open science and its associated benefits and challenges, as well as the diverse paths to open science;
  2. developing an enabling policy environment for open science;
  3. investing in infrastructure and services which contribute to open science;
  4. investing in training, education, digital literacy and capacity-building, to enable researchers and other stakeholders to participate in open science;
  5. fostering a culture of open science and aligning incentives for open science;
  6. promoting innovative approaches to open science at different stages of the scientific process; and
  7. promoting international and multistakeholder co-operation in the context of open science with a view to reducing digital, technological and knowledge gaps.

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Media contact: Clare O'Hagan, c.o-hagan@unesco.org

More information: 



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Thursday, November 25, 2021

UNESCO member states adopt the first ever global agreement on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

UNESCO Press Release 2021 No. 126

UNESCO member states adopt the first ever global agreement on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Paris, 25 Nov – Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO presented Thursday the first ever global standard on the ethics of artificial intelligence adopted by the member states of UNESCO at the General Conference.

This historical text defines the common values and principles which will guide the construction of the necessary legal infrastructure to ensure the healthy development of AI.

AI is pervasive, and enables many of our daily routines -  booking flights, steering driverless cars, and personalising our morning news feeds. AI also supports the decision-making of governments and the private sector. 

AI technologies are delivering remarkable results in highly specialized fields such as cancer screening and building inclusive environments for people with disabilities. They also help combat global problems like climate change and world hunger, and help reduce poverty by optimizing economic aid.

But the technology is also bringing new unprecedented challenges. We see increased gender and ethnic bias, significant threats to privacy, dignity and agency, dangers of mass surveillance, and increased use of unreliable AI technologies in law enforcement, to name a few. Until now, there were no universal standards to provide an answer to these issues.

In 2018, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, launched an ambitious project: to give the world an ethical framework for the use of artificial intelligence. Three years later, thanks to the mobilization of hundreds of experts from around the world and intense international negotiations, the 193 UNESCO's member states have just officially adopted this ethical framework.

"The world needs rules for artificial intelligence to benefit humanity. The Recommendation on the ethics of AI is a major answer. It sets the first global normative framework while giving States the responsibility to apply it at their level. UNESCO will support its 193 Member States in its implementation and ask them to report regularly on their progress and practices", said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

The content of the recommendation

The Recommendation aims to realize the advantages AI brings to society and reduce the risks it entails. It ensures that digital transformations promote human rights and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing issues around transparency, accountability and privacy, with action-oriented policy chapters on data governance, education, culture, labour, healthcare and the economy.

  1. Protecting data

The Recommendation calls for action beyond what tech firms and governments are doing to guarantee individuals more protection by ensuring transparency, agency and control over their personal data. It states that individuals should all be able to access or even erase records of their personal data. It also includes actions to improve data protection and an individual's knowledge of, and right to control, their own data. It also increases the ability of regulatory bodies around the world to enforce this.

  1. Banning social scoring and mass surveillance

The Recommendation explicitly bans the use of AI systems for social scoring and mass surveillance. These types of technologies are very invasive, they infringe on human rights and fundamental freedoms, and they are used in a broad way. The Recommendation stresses that when developing regulatory frameworks, Member States should consider that ultimate responsibility and accountability must always lie with humans and that AI technologies should not be given legal personality themselves.

  1. Helping to monitor and evaluate

The Recommendation also sets the ground for tools that will assist in its implementation. Ethical Impact Assessment is intended to help countries and companies developing and deploying AI systems to assess the impact of those systems on individuals, on society and on the environment. Readiness Assessment Methodology helps Member States to assess how ready they are in terms of legal and technical infrastructure. This tool will assist in enhancing the institutional capacity of countries and recommend appropriate measures to be taken in order to ensure that ethics are implemented in practice. In addition, the Recommendation encourages Member States to consider adding the role of an independent AI Ethics Officer or some other mechanism to oversee auditing and continuous monitoring efforts.

  1. Protecting the environment

The Recommendation emphasises that AI actors should favour data, energy and resource-efficient AI methods that will help ensure that AI becomes a more prominent tool in the fight against climate change and on tackling environmental issues. The Recommendation asks governments to assess the direct and indirect environmental impact throughout the AI system life cycle. This includes its carbon footprint, energy consumption and the environmental impact of raw material extraction for supporting the manufacturing of AI technologies. It also aims at reducing the environmental impact of AI systems and data infrastructures. It incentivizes governments to invest in green tech, and if there are disproportionate negative impact of AI systems on the environment, the Recommendation instruct that they should not be used.

"Decisions impacting millions of people should be fair, transparent and contestable. These new technologies must help us address the major challenges in our world today, such as increased inequalities and the environmental crisis, and not deepening them." said Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO's Assistant Director General for Social and Human Sciences.

Emerging technologies such as AI have proven their immense capacity to deliver for good. However, its negative impacts that are exacerbating an already divided and unequal world, should be controlled. AI developments should abide by the rule of law, avoiding harm, and ensuring that when harm happens, accountability and redressal mechanisms are at hand for those affected.

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Read the full text  : https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373434

More on ethics of artificial intelligence

More on the 24 experts who wrote the draft Recommendation


Media contact: Clare O'Hagan, c.o-hagan@unesco.org, +33(0)145681729



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UNESCO’s General Conference reaches global agreements on artificial intelligence, open science and education

UNESCO Press Release 2021 No.125

UNESCO's General Conference reaches global agreements on artificial intelligence, open science and education

Paris, 25 November - The 41st session of UNESCO General Conference ended yesterday with the adoption of key agreements demonstrating renewed multilateral cooperation for educational recovery, open science and the ethics of artificial intelligence.

On 9 November, the organization's 193 Member States overwhelming voted in support of Audrey Azoulay to serve a second term of four years as Director-General of the Organization, which celebrated its 75th anniversary during this session.

Member States endorsed the Paris Declaration: A Global Call for Investing in the Futures of Education at a meeting which brought together Heads of State and Government and education ministers from 40 countries on the 10 November. The purpose of the meeting was to increase support for education in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. A key part of the event was the launch of a report Reimagining our futures together: a new social contract for education by UNESCO's Director-General and the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde.  

UNESCO's Member States adopted the first ever global Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.  It will be presented by the Director-General accompanied by experts at a press conference at 15.00 CET on Thursday, the 25 November, at UNESCO Headquarters. Journalists seeking Accreditation should contact Léo Bégé-Duclaud: l.bege-duclaud@unesco.org

Another landmark moment was reached with the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science which was also adopted during the General Conference. Of particular relevance to global scientific cooperation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic , this agrement  promotes equality among scientists so that populations and policy-makers will reap the benefits of advances in science. More information is available at https://www.unesco.org/en/natural-sciences/open-science.

UNESCO also passed a significant milestone by marking its  75th anniversary with a special ceremony attended by 28 Heads of State and Government. There were moving  performances by an array of leading international musicians and artists. During the session, the Organization also celebrated the anniversary of its Man and the Biosphere Programme, which has been a vehicle for progress for sustainable development and the sharing of ideas and examples of best practicearound the world for the last fifty years.

Finally, the Åland Islands, part of Finland with autonomous status, became UNESCO's 12th Associate Member.

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More information on the General Conference at https://www.unesco.org/en/general-conference/41

Media Contact :

Clare O'Hagan: c.o-hagan@unesco.org

 



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Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Register for India International Science Festival 2021

India International Science Festival 2021

10-13 December 2021 | Panaji, Goa

India International Science Festival intends to inspire curiosity and make learning more rewarding.

IISF 2021 Events at A Glance

  • The aim is to engage the public with science and celebrate the joy of science and show the ways how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) provide us with the solutions to improve our lives.

IISF 2021 Keypoints

  • Freedom struggle: Events to remember the role of the scientific community in freedom movements.
  • Ideas @75: New Science and Technology Ideas for New India.
  • Achievements @75: Showcasing the S&T achievements of our country in the last 75 years.
  • Actions @75: S&T action plan for New India.
  • Resolves @75: Resolves to make Atma Nirbhar and prosperous India.

Register Online | Brochure

CfA: Participatory Science Advice for Policy Making Workshop

Two-day 'Participatory Science Advice for Policy Making' Workshop  
4th and 11th December 2021

The two-day 'Participatory Science Advice for Policy Making' workshop will introduce researchers and science policy enthusiasts to the science advice mechanism. Through open conversations with practitioners and experts, and a case study of 'Open Science' in India's Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, workshop attendees will be exposed to science policy and the tools of advocacy.  They will thus be empowered to contribute to their larger government science advice mechanism and formulate effective policies.

Who can Apply: PhD Students, Early Career Researchers - Postdocs, Project Scientists, Assistant Professors (STEM and Social Sciences) and Policy Enthusiasts

There are limited seats so please apply before 24th November: https://thesciencepolicyforum.org/event/participatory-science-advice-for-policy-making/

Thank you,
Aishwarya Viswamitra
SPF Organising Team

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia and the University for International Cooperation in Costa Rica to receive 2021 UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation

UNESCO Press Release No.2021-122

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia and the University for International Cooperation in Costa Rica to receive 2021 UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation

Paris – 17 November - This year's UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation will be awarded to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia and to the University for International Cooperation (UCI), Costa Rica, following the recommendation of the international jury of the prize. The award ceremony will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, on 17 November as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme during the 41st General Conference of UNESCO.

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia

In recognition of initiatives to monitor and preserve endangered species of national interest, producing publications such as the Malaysian Plant Red List in efforts to monitor the conservation of critically endangered species, and documenting the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities.

FRIM is one of the leading institutions in tropical forest research in the world. It has developed significant research activities on biodiversity, forest ecosystems management and restoration, and sustainable forest products, while contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation at the national level. FRIM also contributes to the inclusion of environmental education in curricula and training teachers in Education for Sustainable Development. 

University for International Cooperation (UCI), Costa Rica

In recognition of support to create new biosphere reserves in Latin America such as  Sumaco (Ecuador), Cabo de Hornos (Chile) and Agua y Paz (Costa Rica) and the promotion of regenerative practices in the biosphere reserves.

UIC's main areas of action are the conservation of biodiversity, territorial management, local development, food safety from farm to table, regenerative agriculture and livestock, sustainable tourism and project management, using a transversal ecosystem regeneration approach. Through its Latin American School of Protected Areas (ELAP), UCI has contributed to capacity building across Latin American and Caribbean to train protected area managers. UCI is also contributing to reverse effects the of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystems through its initiatives in the Regenerative Communities Network. 

The Jury also recognized both institutions' stellar public outreach and awareness initiatives, such as outdoor activities for students and the development of community farms and eco-tourism.

Allocated every other year since 1991, the UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation was established through a generous donation by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said of Oman. Laureates are awarded US$50,000 each, a diploma and a medal.

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Media contact: Clare O'Hagan  c.o-hagan@unesco.org

More information:



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