Objective of the Takagi Fund for Citizen Science
The purpose of the Takagi Fund for Citizen Science (hereinafter Takagi Fund) is "to contribute and foster interest by the younger generation who aspire toward the pursuit of science for citizens according to and under the provision of Jinzaburo Takagi's will, who devoted his life to the creation of a nuclear free society, the democratization of public decision making and citizen science" (extract of the by-laws).
Dr. Jinzaburo Takagi passed away in October 2000. His dying words were that he wanted us to foster and support the next generation of citizen scientists by converting his own estate into a fund and complementing funding by donations from citizens and other sources.
Meaning of Citizen Science
Citizen Science is the participatory and combined effort in research, analysis and education that strictly follows the guiding principle of increasing collective well being of present and future generations of human beings and the biosphere.
The Citizen Scientist, through his particular skills in independent research and analysis, shall assist in protecting society from industrial, economic and social development patterns that are placing State or corporate interests above collective benefit.
Dr. Takagi said that the mission of citizen science is to give science a direction with a focus on hope for a bright future and to present a concept enabling the construction of a sustainable future. He added that citizen science must sow the seeds of hope into the hearts of people, organize people, and generate a flow leading to revolutionary change.
Citizen Science Versus Conventional Science
Conventional science is locked into little shells of specialization and lacks interaction with citizens. Citizen Scientists can take the initiative themselves or can be mandated, in particular by other citizens, to work on scientific and technological tasks without losing sight of their position as a citizen living in society.
Present-day science and technology often lead to developments threatening life and the global environment. Citizen Scientists shed light on these inherent risks and assess appropriate alternatives.
The Citizen Scientist therefore is a counter-expert par excellence.
The ultimate decision-makers of policies ought to be citizens. The Citizen Scientist transcribes and analyses scientific and technological information produced by governments and industries in a form understandable by the general population. In doing so, the Citizen Scientist critically deciphers the information, and exposes the consequences.
The Citizen Scientist always looks into the effects that present-day science and technology will have on generations to come and raises issues based on intergenerational ethics, locally and globally.