In June 2020, InterAcademy Partnership IAP published a Communiqué on structural racism and discrimination:
“The events that have unfolded since the unjust and untimely death of George Floyd have served as a painful reminder of the problem of entrenched systemic racism in our societies, not only in the United States, but in most countries in the world. The actions of racial equality activists from around the globe have exemplified just how strongly this has resonated with all of us.
IAP is by its very nature – as the association of over 140 academies from all corners of the world – opposed to racism and discrimination. The cooperation within and between the academies is solely based on scientific merit. Furthermore, IAP is continually committed to maintaining diversity among its leadership, staff and volunteers and promoting inclusivity in all of its activities.
In this historic moment in time, we are acutely aware of the unique role that the scientific community is poised to play. We are invested in engaging our global colleagues in the work that must be done to deconstruct discriminatory policies rooted in systemic racism.
We fundamentally believe that any solutions to combatting structural racism and discrimination must be rooted in a global effort to address and dismantle the systems and policies that have allowed these practices to be maintained. As such, we stand in solidarity with those who are committed to bringing about not only justice, but lasting change. As we move forward, we are committed to endeavoring to bring about a society in which everyone is treated without bias and is afforded equal opportunities.
The current COVID-19 pandemic is also shining a bright light on the striking racial and social disparities in access to and quality of medical care for black people and other ethnic minorities as well as other socially disadvantaged people. IAP and many of its member academies have joined a movement led by health policy experts from around the world to demand health equity globally and we are engaged in a resulting ongoing dialogue with UN and WHO leadership on this issue.
IAP reaffirms its commitment to its vision – that the world’s academies play a vital role in ensuring that science serves society inclusively and equitably. IAP is also involved in a forthcoming project on the right to science, recognizing that all people have the right to share in the benefits of advances in science and technology.
IAP joins the International Science Council (ISC) and its international partners in the science community in undertaking urgent action to participate in a global dialogue on systemic discrimination in science and to take concrete actions aimed at combatting it.”
The Communiqué is signed by the members of the steering committee of IAP.