Physics in the developing countries

Abstract

Physicists in the US, and other scientifically advanced countries, can make a significant contribution to the growth of less developed countries throughout the world. Yet, probably only a few members of the physics community know that we are now living in the Second United Nations Development Decade, designed to aid in the evolution of the less developed countries. Because of the crucial role that science and technology must play in this development, a World Plan of Action for the Application of Science and Technology has been established, and is now being studied by the various bodies of the UN with the aim of eventual adoption by the General Assembly (see box for details of plan). Obviously, if this plan encounters indifference from the scientific community, it is likely to fail even if the governments of the more developed countries formally agree to participate in the plan. The lack of adequately trained manpower and a scientific isolation from the rest of the world are the two main problems facing these less developed countries. Therefore, in this article, I will propose some programs with which we physicists in the more advanced countries can mitigate these problems and thus contribute to the scientific emergence of the developing countries. I do this, however, with the full realization that the main task of science development must be carried out by indigenous personnel and manpower and that outside assistance must be primarily catalytic in nature. The purpose of international assistance is to make itself superfluous in the shortest possible time, and thus scientific help must aim at the vigorous development of local scientific infrastructures that can be self‐sufficient and productive in the not too distant future.