Academies of sciences have a long history starting in ancient Greece and later in Italy during the Renaissance. Over the centuries, the tasks of academies have been developed according to societal changes. In this paper, the roles of academies of sciences in the contemporary world are briefly analysed. The members of national or international academies are the best scientists and scholars and their responsibility is to promote knowledge. The basic principles of action in academies include independence of thought, excellence, and authority. The advisory role of academies is growing. The complexity of the world needs cooperation that strengthens the production and dissemination of knowledge. The way forward is briefly envisaged.
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