Climate change, various forms of pollution, the loss of biodiversity, and issues of sovereignty: our contemporary world is marked by rapid and profound transformations. In the face of these challenges and the concerns they raise, scientific excellence alone is no longer enough. Society’s trust in research and scientific expertise requires a strengthened and sustained dialogue.

Initiated by several public institutions in 2008, and later joined by new members in 2020, the Charter for Openness to Society welcomes a new signatory in 2026: the National Cancer Institute.

“Cancer research must continue its efforts to better understand the risks and address the growing concerns of the public. By joining this network, the Institute reaffirms its commitment to open science, to a strengthened dialogue between research and society, and its support for participatory research initiatives outlined in the ten-year strategy to combat cancer.”

Nicolas Scotté, Director General of the National Cancer Institute

Our eight institutions share missions of public interest and high standards of expertise, collaboration, and impartiality. By signing the charter, they commit to making their process of openness a long-term endeavor and to enriching their work through enhanced dialogue with society, centered on three commitments:

• supporting members of society in acquiring skills;
• sharing available scientific knowledge;
• increasing the transparency of their work.

To this end, each organization commits to implementing sustainable dialogue mechanisms to serve three common objectives:

• to strengthen the capacity of staff and students to engage in dialogue with society;
• to identify and mobilize the resources necessary for societal engagement;
• develop management tools and publicly report on the process.

The signatory members share best practices and feedback and coordinate their actions toward a common goal: to enhance the quality of their contributions to public policy and to society.

They also continue their efforts to raise awareness of their initiatives and results among policymakers and citizens.