ABSTRACT: Science is playing an increasing part in many decision making processes. It is now up to the scientists and scientific communities to advocate an importance of science in society. In doing so, we should be able to distinguish analysis from advocacy and should also be humble in remembering that good science does not necessarily produce an obvious policy main road. Our task is to ensure the maximal results, for the public at large and to offer advice to the society to gain a minimal risk. Along the line, we should be concerned of the value of good science education through formal and informal channels. One maxim that is sometimes overlooked is that we should not try to make politics more scientific. It is counter productive as it will turn science more political. More importantly, it is suggested that the following way and mechanism can be followed: (1) to improve the awareness of scientists about the current and future scientific and technical aspects of basic science; (2) to enhance scientific co-operations among developing institutions, including the exchange of scientific information; (3) to explore avenues of education, training and research on basic science subject for the benefit for people in the region; and (4) to create an “international” core group of scientists to pursue the objective of the cooperation and to link with advanced industrial countries. At the same time, our realization of the wealth of scholarly resources in the Asia-Pacific regions should grow. It is advisable, therefore, to start as a first step in the near future to pool these valuable human resources for environmental research.

KEY WORD: The scientists, roles, society, advocacy, science in society, good science education, and peace and wealth society.

About the Author: Prof. Dr. Bambang Hidayat is a member of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI, Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia) in Jakarta; former Director of Bosscha Astronomy Observatory in Lembang, Bandung; and Professor at ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology) in West Java, Indonesia. For academic purposes, he can be reached at: hidayatbambang@yahoo.com and bhidayat07@hotmail.com

How to cite this article? Hidayat, Bambang. (2011). “Scientists and Their Society: Between Advocacy and Arbitration” in ATIKAN: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan, Vol.1(1) Juni, pp.59-74. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI in Bandung, ISSN 2088-1290.

Chronicle of the article: Accepted (April 10, 2011); Revised (May 20, 2011); and Published (June 5, 2011).

Abdul Rachman, Omer. (2009). “Human Capital Development for the Knowledge”. Paper presented in the 17th International Scientific Conference, organized by the Islamic Academy of Sciences, in Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, on 14-17 December.

Alberts, Bruce. (2010a). “Reframing Science Stabdards” in Editorial Science, 329, p.491.

Alberts, Bruce. (2010b). “Policy Making Needs Science” in Science, 330, p.1287.

Ammarell, Gene. (2008). Navigasi Bugis. Makassar: Hasanuddin University Press.

Arryanto, Y. et al. (2007). “Iptek Nano di Indonesia” in Ristek. Jakarta: AIPI [Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia].

Baker, Jim. (2005). Crossroads: A Popular History of Malaysia and Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, second edition.

Barmawi, M. (2009). “Nanotechnology”. Paper presented in Opening Speech at the Nanotechnology Conference, organized by AIPI in Jakarta, on 18 November.

BNSP [Badan Nasional Standar Pendidikan]. (2010). Paradigma Pendidikan Nasional Abad XXI. Jakarta: BNSP.

Cartwright, D.E. (2008). Tides: A Scientific History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Clarks, Tom. (2002). “Wanted: Scientists for Sustainability” in Nature, 318, p.812.

Crouch, Harold. (2010). Political Reform in Indonesia After Soeharto. Singapore: ISEAS [Institute of Southeast Asian Studies].

Ehrlich, Paul. (2000). Human Natures: Genes, Culture and the Human Prospect. London: Island Press.

Federoff, Nina V. (2009). “Science Diplomacy in the 21st Century” in American Physical Society News, Vol.18, No.8, p.8.

Gaffar, Mohammad Fakry. (2010). “Visi: Suatu Inovasi dalam Manajemen Strategik Perguruan Tinggi” in Zulkabir & Andi Suwirta [eds]. Membangun Pendidikan Guru Tingkat Universitas: Pemikiran Pendidikan dari Mas Sadarjoen Siswomartojo hingga Sunaryo Kartadinata, 1954-2010. Bandung: UPI Press and Rizqi Offset, pp.147-168.

Harrold, F. & R. Eve [eds]. (1998). Cult Archeology and Creation Understanding Scientific Beliefs about the Past. Iowa: University of Iowa Press.

Hidayat, Bambang. (1998). “Perubahan Klimatik Global: Pandangan seorang Astronom” in Berita AIPI, Tahun II, No.1 [April].

Hidayat, Bambang. (1999). “University and Wealth of a Nation” in M. Ergins, M. Doruk & M. Zouby [eds]. Science and Technology Education for Development in the Islamic World. Amman, Jordan: IAS, p.371.

Hidayat, Bambang. (2000a). “Indo-Malay Astronomy” in Helain Selain [ed]. Astronomy Across Culture. New York: Kluwer Academic Publisher, p.371.

Hidayat, Bambang. (2000b). “Under the Tropical Sky” in Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, 3(1), p.45.

Hidayat, Bambang. (2004). Mosaik Pemikiran: Sejarah dan Sains untuk Masa Depan. Bandung: PT Kiblat Buku Utama.

Hidayat, Bambang. (2009). “Amanah Alami Fisik Bumi” in M.T. Zen, Doddy Abdasah & Hendra Gradi [eds]. Mengelola Resiko Bencana. Bandung: Majelis Guru Besar ITB [Institut Teknologi Bandung].

Hidayat, Bambang. (2011a). “Philanthropy’s Rising to Enhance Confident Innovation”. Paper presented as Invited Speech at the Toray Science Meeting in Jakarta, on 10 February.

Hidayat, Bambang. (2011b). Science and Technology Literacy: Imperative for Our National Capacity Building. Jakarta: AIPI [Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia].

Huang, Alice S. & Chris Y. Tang. (2010). “Achieving Scientific Eminence in Asia” in Science, 329, p.1471.

“Interview with Yang Zemin: China’s Leaders Commit to Basic Science Research” in Science, No.288, 2000.

Jacobson, Mark Z. & Mark A. Debucchi. (2009). “A Path to Sustainable Energy by 2030” in Scientific American, November, p.38.

Joesoef, Daoed. (2000). “Intelektual dan Karya Intelektual” in Majalah Transformasi ITB, April, p.1.

Katili, Jogn A. (2007). Harta Bumi Indonesia. Jakarta: Directorate General of Mines, pp.161-180.

Katili, Jogn A. (2010). “Bencana Alam dan Tanggung Jawab Ilmuwan” in Podium AIPI, Vol.1(1), p.2.

Maddox, John. (1993). “Science and the Developing World” in Nature, 366, p.627.

Marols, A. et al. (2006). “Optimizing Optical Image Subtraction” in Astron Nachrichten, 328, p.16.

McAllister, James. (1996). Beauty and Revolution in Science. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press.

Meyers, Norman. (1992). The Primary Source: Tropical Forests and Our Future. New York: Norman and Co.

Murdiyarso, Daniel. (2009). ”Climate Deal Cannot Ignore Rain Forest”. Paper presented in the Copenhagen Summit, December.

Murdiyarso, Daniel. (2010). “Climate and Development: The Challenges in Delivering the Promises”. Editorial Essays in Review on Climate Change, 1. Wiley Interdisciplinary, p.766.

Murdiyarso, Daniel, Bambang Hidayat & M. Barmawi. (2004). “Perubahan Klimat dan Pendidikan”. Paper presented in the Seminar AIPI (Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia) at Gedung Kompas, Jakarta.

Nature Editorial. (2008). ”The Unlikely Matter” in Nature, 459, p.3.

Nature Editorial. (2010). “How to Feed a Hungry World” in Nature, 29 July, p. 531.

Parry, Richard Lloyd. (2008). Zaman Edan: Indonesia di Ambang Kehancuran. Jakarta: PT Serambi Ilmu Semesta, Translation.

Parthasarathy, Ashok. (2007). Technology at the Core. New Delhi: Dorling Kindersley.

Potakis, C., K. Wolfgang & M. Castillejo. (2006). “Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage” in Laser Chemistry, Article ID.74791.

Rhodes, Frank. (1999). “Shaping the Future Science and Technology 2030” in Physics Today, May, p.42.

Sachs, Jeffrey D. (2004). “Sustainable Development” in Science, 304, p.645.

Sambodo, Amir. (2004). Menyongsong Gelombang Baru Bisnis Teknologi. Jakarta: Penerbit Kompas.

Sastrapratedja, M. (2002). “Dimensi Etis Sains dan Teknologi” in Publisher Sigma, Vol.8, No.2 [July], p.3.

Sastrapratedja, M. (2010). “Membangun Karakter dan Budaya Bangsa”. Paper presented in AIPI General Meeting in Jakarta, on 22-23 October.

Soekirno, Ichary. (2008). Globalisasi dan Revolusi Saintifik. Bandung: UNPAD [Universitas Padjadjaran] Press.

Soemarwoto, Otto. (1997). Indonesia dalam Kancah Isu Lingkungan Global. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

Spencer, Roy W. (2008). Climate Confusion: Global Warming Hysteria. London: Encounter Book.

Starch, J.L., E. Pantun & F. Mustach. (2002). “Deconvolution in Astronomy” in Publ. Astron Soc. of the Pacific, 114, p.1087.

Supriadi, Dedi. (1997). Isu dan Agenda Pendidikan Tinggi di Indonesia. Jakarta: PT Rosda Jayaputra.

Supriatna, Yatna. (2011). “Biologi Molekuler dan Konservasi Keanekaragaman Hayati”. Paper presented at the Symposium on Biodiversity, organized by AIPI [Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia] in Jakarta.

Suriasumantri, Jujun S. (1986). Ilmu dalam Perspektif Moral, Sosial, dan Politik. Jakarta: PT Gramedia.

Suwirta, Andi. (2005). Sejarah Intelektual: Percikan Pemikiran dari Dunia Barat dan Islam. Bandung: Suci Press.

Suyanto. (2006). Dinamika Pendidikan Nasional dalam Percaturan Dunia Global. Jakarta: PSAP [Pusat Studi Agama dan Peradaban] Muhammadiyah.

Weinata, Sairin. (2008). Pendidikan yang Mendidik. Jakarta: Penerbit Yudisthira.

Wilardjo, Liek. (2008). “Kontribusi Perguruan Tinggi dalam Penyelesaian Masalah Bangsa”. Paper presented in the Seminar Dies Natalis ke-53 USD [Universitas Sanata Dharma] in Yogyakarta, 13 December.

Wilardjo, Liek. (2009). “Menerawang Dikala Senggang” in Kutut Swondo et al. [eds]. Ilmu, Iman dan Lingkungan Hidup. Salatiga: Fakultas Teknik Elektro dan Program Pasca Sarjana Studi Pembangunan UKSW [Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana], pp.269-291.