AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition

History

In July 2005, the AAAS Science and Human Rights Program held a two-day conference of scientific and academic associations and human rights organizations to explore ways in which the scientific community can become more directly engaged in human rights. Forty-two representatives of many of the largest scientific organizations in the United States, including the American Chemical Society, American Statistical Society, and the American Public Health Association, took part in the conference that resulted in a set of recommendations. Over the course of the two days, participants confirmed the need for a network of scientists engaged in human rights, endorsed the formation of a Science and Human Rights Coalition, and affirmed AAAS as its natural home.

In 2007, SHRP was in a position to pursue this initiative and convened a series of planning meetings to lay the foundations for the Coalition. In preparation for the launch of the Coalition in January 2009, these planning meetings produced key foundational documents, active working groups, and the participation of over 20 associations. Materials from each of the planning meetings are available below:

(page updated 09/24/2009)