On March 12, 2026, a special meeting of the UNESCO International Steering Committee on the Freedom and Safety of Scientists was held, dedicated to preparing high-level international events within the framework of the UNESCO Program to Promote Freedom of Scientific Research and Enhance the Safety of Scientists. This program aims to implement the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers.
An active participant in the discussion of the agenda was a member of the UNESCO Steering Committee, head of the Center for Advanced Research and Cooperation on Human Rights in the Economy, leading researcher at the State Institution "V.K. Mamutov Institute of Economic and Legal Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine," candidate of legal sciences Alevtina Sanchenko.
Given the growing relevance of issues concerning the freedom and safety of scientists in times of new global challenges, crises, and conflicts, UNESCO plans to hold a large-scale two-day forum in June 2026 with the participation of representatives from ministries, national academies of sciences, and non-governmental organizations of the academic community of member states. The focus will be on the effectiveness of state policies and legislation in this area, as well as an analysis of positive and problematic experiences of various countries.
During the upcoming forum, UNESCO also plans to present a new Tool for Assessing the State of Freedom and Safety of Scientists. Representatives of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine – director of the State Institution "V.K. Mamutov Institute of Economic and Legal Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine," corresponding member of the NAS of Ukraine Volodymyr Ustymenko and Alevtina Sanchenko – joined international experts in developing the draft of this tool throughout 2024-2025.
It is expected that the application of this tool will contribute to states making more informed political and legal decisions that correspond to their international obligations regarding the development of modern science and the needs of scientists, particularly those working under conditions of armed conflicts, emergencies, and related risks. UNESCO emphasizes that without proper protection of the freedom and safety of scientists, their contribution to societal development and work for the benefit of society is at risk.
According to information from the V.K. Mamutov Institute of Economic and Legal Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine