Since 2015 the Critical Scientists Switzerland (CSS) promote independent and unbiased science and research as well as transdisciplinary and participatory research approaches and agendas. Science and research should serve the public interest and help our society during the necessary transition towards a more sustainable way of life.

CSS further promotes the consequent application of the precautionary principle where lack of knowledge and scientific uncertainties might critically or irrevocably endanger the environment, biodiversity, social integrity or human health.

The purpose of the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility e.V. (ENSSER) is the advancement of science and research for the protection of the environment, biological diversity and human health against negative impacts of new technologies and their products. This especially includes the support and protection of independent and critical research to advance the scientific assessment of the potentially negative impacts. ENSSER promotes the critical European and international discourse on new technologies, their impacts and their regulation. Scientific and technological activities – and their gaps – are increasingly driven by private interests. Consequently, the relationship between science, society and environment has to be restructured in order to better protect the common interest.

Responsibility and sustainability in science

Responsible and sustainable science is more important than ever. For more than 50 years, the core task of the VDW has been to shape these forms of science, to link them in an interdisciplinary manner and to openly discuss the opportunities and risks of research. To fulfill this mission, the VDW’s work is both financially and politically independent.
The VDW was founded on 1 October 1959 by Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker, Nobel Laureates Otto Hahn and Max Born and other famous physicists who had opposed the provision of nuclear carrier systems to the Bundeswehr in the Declaration of the “Göttinger 18” in 1957.
In study groups, projects and conferences, we deal with current societal challenges such as peace & disarmament, climate & biodiversity, socio-ecological transformation & social justice, digitization & society as well as whistleblowing & shaping science policy. We take an active stand, advocate sustainable and humane handling of research results and promote dialogue processes between science, civil society, business and politics.

Sciences Citoyennes (SC) – Citizen Sciences – is a non for profit organisation, which was created in 2002 by a group of researchers from various fields of humanities and natural sciences, by students and citizens. Its main issue is to critically question the role of science and technology in the construction of a society and to put science into democracy so that it serves the common good. Science and technology are major factors in how we are shaping our societies today – at the economic, social, environmental and legal levels but also in our larger understanding of values, responsibilities and meaningful action.

SC is questioning dominant paradigms that underlay current science policies. What science for what society? What science would we need to build a socially and ecologically more just society? What science do we need for the ecological transition? What should be the mission of public research today? What innovation strategies would help populations and the planet and not big industry?

Our action is based on an engaged approach combined with in-depth analyses, concrete propositions and advocacy. FSC is member of several international and national networks. We do a lot of advocacy work through them, and we are involved in various initiatives at national, European and international levels.

SC joined the Gene Drive Project in 2020 for the webinar series