Challenges facing developing countries in communicating science to the public

Abstract

Developing countries face a range of challenges in communicating science to their people. This chapter explores a selection of such challenges from the lens of our observations and experiences, and suggests some possible foci for attention. We focus on six key issues: weak 'modern science' culture, lack of or inadequate institutional mechanisms to popularize science, inertia on the part of the scientific community to establish scientific academies and scientific societies, inadequate mechanisms for the dissemination of the results of scholarly scientific activities, lackadaisical efforts in science journalism, and social factors. The chapter concludes by arguing that for developing countries, aid that leads to capacity building can be more effective than handouts for promoting the cause of science.