Importance of Communication:
The function of SCIESO is, as stated, to be both "informed' AND to "speak out". And because we are in differing areas of science, that first requires that we communicate effectively with each other, and have a degree of comfort and mutual understanding of issues, problems, research methods, and findings.
But in speaking out, we face a different set of problems — really communicating with decision makers, politicians, and the public at large. That takes equal parts of having the language, being able to simplify concepts for clarity, and being able to speak with authority when that is critical.
This is a journey, both as individual and within the group.