It is a celebration of science, scientific research and innovation and its impact on society.

UNESCO: Celebrating Science

Written by a team of independent experts who are each covering the country or region from which they hail, the UNESCO Science Report 2010 analyses the trends and developments that have shaped scientific research, innovation and higher education over the past five years, including the impact of the current global economic recession.

UNESCO: UK National Commission for UNESCO :: Emerging countries are gaining strength in science and technology, says the UNESCO Science Report 2010

In the end progress hinges on government policy that encourages scientific innovation and research.

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America will only be as strong as our pursuit of scientific research and our leadership in technology and innovation.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Delivers Commencement Address at Miami Dade College | The White House

The work of social innovation is very similar to scientific research in that you can't always predict what kinds of breakthroughs any particular project might catalyze.

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After all, the country is an economic success story, a powerhouse of technological innovation and a world leader in medical and scientific research.

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But government does have the ability to spark innovation, to support the research, the scientific discovery, that has always led to breakthroughs and new products.

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While America's innovation heritage is unparalleled, the evidence is mounting that we are failing to make the investments in our young people, our workers, our scientific research infrastructure and our economy that will enable us to retain our global innovation leadership.

FORBES: What The U.S. Must Do To Keep Up

Every year, the Innovation Centres in Converging Technologies will be expected to publish at least one refereed scientific publication on its research.

UNESCO: World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)