A/HRC/20/26 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 14 May 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Twentieth session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications* Summary In its resolution 19/6, the Human Rights Council extended, for a period of three years, the mandate of the current mandate holder as a special rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. The Special Rapporteur is pleased to submit her third thematic report to the Council under this new title. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur focuses on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. The Special Rapporteur stresses the strong link of this right with the right to participate in cultural life, as well as other human rights. She considers that its normative content includes (a) access by everyone without discrimination to the benefits of science and its applications, including scientific knowledge; (b) opportunities for all to contribute to the scientific enterprise and freedom indispensable for scientific research; (c) participation of individuals and communities in decision-making and the related right to information; and (d) an enabling environment fostering the conservation, development and diffusion of science and technology. The Special Rapporteur makes a number of recommendations, most of which could be implemented in a timely manner. She also recommends that further work be conducted to enhance the conceptual clarity of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. A robust discussion is needed, including on her proposal to adopt a public good approach to knowledge innovation and diffusion. * GE.12-13491 Late submission.