The first requirement is that scientists reach consensus. Once there is consensus, the next step can be to communicate with policy makers.

Dear @Yogesh, The following report deals with  "Ensuring that Technical Decisions Made by Government Bodies are Founded in Sound Science" and it is very informative;  science and engineering provide more than the ideas for future products or the foundation for advances in manufacturing. They also provide the basis for making decisions as a society, as corporations and as individuals. While these decisions certainly affect important national, and even global issues, they also affect elements of our lives as basic as how we live and what we eat. For example, we turn to scientists and engineers for answers to questions such as "To what standards should cities' building codes be written?" Engineers, seismologists, geologists and materials scientists may all need to be consulted. Or, "Is the food on the dinner table safe to eat?" "Is a new drug ready for use by humans?" Epidemiologists, microbiologists and pharmacologists, among many others, must inform us.

See the full report at:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CPRT-105hprt105-b/html/sousci.html

Dear All,

Marcel is right but before having a consensus a firm intention is needed and members of the scientific community should be aware that without us there is no production, no teaching, no research, no profit, no power and you can continue.

The biggest troubles are lack of intention to intervene into politics and the mercenary scientists, obedient servants of the leaders.

Scientists should go out into the community (for example, joint an outreach program) and shout alone. My colleagues go into schools and talk to young students who may influence parents. There is lots of misinformation among ordinary people.

Scientists should try to join policy making groups to influence policies. A colleague of mine got invited to speak to MPs in the parliament about his new research.

Some colleagues join some consultation panels of local goverments (on crime and environment).

Dear Huajiang,

The question is who will influence who? As far as I know there are policy influenced scientists but I think humanity needs science (honest scientists) influenced politics (policy makers)!

Dear All,

I think scientists are used as easily replaceable cheap instruments.  We should organise a scientific global party or a similar alliance which cannot be corrupted and operates according to healthy and honest principles.

This is my dream!

Well said Dear Marcel, There should be consensus among scientists. Interesting answers by dear Andras Bozsik. 

Communication is a key aspect and its importance never to be overlooked. This is especially true in the case of natural disasters where the stakes are very high. There have been times when despite working closely, some key arguments may have been lost in translation. The L'Aquila earthquake (2009) of Italy is a glaring example of the enormous gap between what was probably intended to be communicated and what was understood. Six scientists were prosecuted and the jury maintains that it wasn't because they failed to predict an earthquake but because of the falsely reassuring statements. So, it was apparently the degree of certainty with which they communicated their observations that led the judge to issue a 6-year prison sentence. That still sounds a bit grotesque and could probably be a way to cover up other underlying issues like insufficient renovation operations by the state in high seismic zones etc. but the fact remains that despite what was meant, the whole verdict was constructed on the communication or the lack of it. Thus, it is very important to make sure that each group's intention satifies the other's interpretation.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20025626

Well said Monika. Well timed communication of correct and authentic scientific information is crucial in cases like natural disaster where quick decision and action is required. However, there should to proper and infallible system to ensure transmission of such information at the right place in right time.

Is it possible in your country that the communication is strongly affected by the period? I mean: high communication during the election campaign and poor communication after the elections! Have you seen that a scientific meeting has been  a catwalk for a politician seeking votes? And have you seen that only the "so-called" scientists (i. e. they who are little busy doing their jobs) have easier and frequent access into the rooms of politicians?

Dear Professor Ierardi,

The question is placed with the intention to seek opinion and suggestions of learned RG members for the benefit and action by all concerned and not to point out the situation specifically. In a world of growing complexity leaders are increasingly dependent on their admirers for good information which they want to hear. It's hard to tell the truth when the lies are what they want to hear. People who tell the truth and leaders who listen and act to it are scarce combination.

OK, @Yogesh, I agree with your intention and search of the best way to give good and useful information in order to improve the intetaction between science and policy. I think all agree and every attempt to seize the right moment and occasion is wellcome. When, the scarce combination permits it, unfortunately. 

Thanks Prof. Ierardi for your nice remarks.

My view is that  we must be actively involved in the decision making progress. Most of the information can be easily misconstrued if not guided by the scientists that produce the scientific discovery. We also need  scientific thinkers as part of all governments  to really impart progress through well structured and informed policies. We must move outside our comfort zone of academia and become active within society.

Just a thought

In Israel we have an interesting program, called Mimshak (literal translation: interface), where Ph.D. graduates are doing their post-docs as consultants in governmental offices.For those interested to learn more: http://www.mimshak.org.il/en/

@ Dr Yoram The programme is really interesting  and promising in the interest of research and researchers.

It was (is) an initiative of the Israeli society for ecology and environment and seem to work very well because the scientists are working from the inside.

My new book, The National Origins of Policy Ideas (Princeton University Press, 2014) with Ove Pedersen deals with this very question.  It might be helpful for you.