The Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) reinforces the awareness of sciences as a central foundation for our cultural and economical development. Its wide establishment in the scientific environment enables the SCNAT to be an important and representative partner of the international scientific policy. The SCNAT networks sciences, makes its expertise available, promotes the dialogue between science and society and identifies and assesses the scientific progress to build and reinforce the working base of the next generation of scientists. The SCNAT is part of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences.