ACS Position Statement
Statement on Freedom of International Scientific Exchange
Summary
The ACS Statement on Freedom of International Scientific Exchange advocates freedom of scientific exchange and stronger scientific collaboration to benefit humankind.
ACS Position
The American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society, is concerned about limitations on openness in scientific exchange.
The Society’s mission is to encourage, in the broadest and most liberal manner, the advancement of chemistry in all its branches. We recognize that science and scholarship flourish when scientists collaboratively pursue and publish research and communicate without externally imposed impediment, limitation or restriction.
ACS is pleased to note that the scientific community has opposed discrimination. However, it remains important for organizations that represent scientists and educators go on the record in favor of the most open and fair exchange among scientists without limitations imposed by national and global political concerns.
ACS believes scientists should not participate in the transnational isolation of colleagues; rather they should work vigorously to create occasions for scholars to convene, to discuss topics of mutual interest, and to build scientific networks. It is through such networks that scientific collaboration can grow and be sustained over time for the benefit of all humankind.
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization, chartered by Congress, with more than 158,000 chemical scientists and engineers as members. The world’s largest scientific society, ACS advances the chemical enterprise, increases public understanding of chemistry, and brings its expertise to bear on state and national matters.