VVorkl Bank Boosts Brazilian Science

Improving science and science education in Third World nations has long been a part of development programs initiated by multilateral agencies, such as the United Nations. But in recent years a new strategy-sciencejtw development—has emerged. Instead of being merely one among many areas targeted for the overall educationrd, social and cultural improvement of a developing country, science is beginning to be emphasized as a seztor in which development aid can produce outsized returns, especially economic returns. In thk issue of THE SCIENTIST, Abdus Srdam points out that the Third World Academy of Sciences has adopted as one of its major themes “the direct application of science for economic development” (p. 20-21). He goes on to say that Brazil is one of only five developing countries that has chamxl a clear course of direct investment in science.