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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > Annual Report on the Promotion of Science and Technology 2000 > Part1 Chapter3 Section4 1 | ![]() |
In the future, general public will be expected to actively
work to fostering their knowledge about science and technology, actively gather
information, express their opinions and communicate information, and participate
in the planning, formulation and determination of science and technology policy,
thereby promoting the sound development of science and technology activities
corresponding to the social needs.
Some other countries equip with mechanisms for participation
of the general public, such as the Netherlands' "Constructive Technology
Assessments" and Denmark's "Consensus Councils."
Currently the "Millennium Project," a government
initiative, invites public in revolutionary technological development projects
and calls for suitable opinions to open up the new millennium, as public participation
projects.
It is important that public participation policies extend
further in science and technology in the future, with the initiatives like the "Millennium
Project" as a good example.
When general public is systematically provided opportunities
to acquire real knowledge from researchers, they will be able to absorb knowledge
concerning science and technology, and will learn how to make decisions appropriately
through a variety of activities, and by publicizing the opinions gathered in
these venues. Thus it is possible to play a certain role in the decision-making
of government.
It is expected that the gathering of public opinions about
science and technology will be furthered by having NPOs (nonprofit organizations)
and NGOs (non-governmental organizations), which are involved in activities relating
to science and technology, revitalize their activities and carry out science
and technology activities that are closely related to the lives of the public.
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