WHO launches new movement to rebuild trust in science
The World Health Organization on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 launched a new global movement to rebuild public trust in science at a time when misinformation is spreading faster than ever.
According to a statement published on its website, the movement, called Together for Science and Health, brings together more than 240 organizations from around the world: scientists, governments, health institutions, and civic leaders, all united by one goal: to make sure science is trusted, understood, and used to improve people’s lives.
The launch took place on World Science Day for Peace and Development, with 12 events held across different countries and regions, WHO said. It was also linked to the Paris Peace Forum, France’s major platform for global diplomacy.
Leading the launch were WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Tedros said science remains one of humanity’s greatest tools.
“Science has enabled people to live longer, healthier lives through vaccines, medicines, disease prevention and outbreak response,” he said, according to WHO. “Through this movement, we are working together to champion evidence, trust and innovation as the foundations of healthier societies.”
The movement comes at a critical moment. Rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence are changing how people get health information. For many, it is becoming harder to tell what is true and what is not.
WHO says that is exactly why science and society need to be brought closer together.
The movement will focus on three priorities: helping people connect with science, encouraging governments to base health policies on evidence, and improving how science is explained to the public, the organization said on its website.
Dr Sylvie Briand, WHO’s Chief Scientist, said trust cannot be built by one country or one institution alone.
“No institution, country or community can build and sustain trust alone,” she said. “This movement offers a space for dialogue and collaboration, not polarization.”
She added that science should be seen as a shared resource something that can help build healthier, fairer and more resilient societies.
WHO is now inviting more organizations and institutions around the world to join the movement, share their experience, and help ensure that trusted science leads to better health for everyone, according to the statement.