Helsinki 1975 • promoting a more exact assessment of the problems of comparison and equivalence of academic degrees and diplomas by fostering the exchange of information on the organization, duration and content of studies, the comparison of methods of assessing levels of knowledge, and academic qualifications, and, where feasible, arriving at the mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas either through governmental agreements, where necessary, or direct arrangements between universities and other institutions of higher learning and research; • recommending, moreover, to the appropriate international organizations that they should intensify their efforts to reach a generally acceptable solution to the problems of comparison and equivalence between academic degrees and diplomas. (c) Science Within their competence to broaden and improve co-operation and exchanges in the field of science, in particular: To increase, on a bilateral or multilateral basis, the exchange and dissemination of scientific information and documentation by such means as: • making this information more widely available to scientists and research workers of the other participating States through, for instance, participation in international information-sharing programmes or through other appropriate arrangements; • broadening and facilitating the exchange of samples and other scientific materials used particularly for fundamental research in the fields of natural sciences and medicine; • inviting scientific institutions and universities to keep each other more fully and regularly informed about their current and contemplated research work in fields of common interest. To facilitate the extension of communications and direct contacts between universities, scientific institutions and associations as well as among scientists and research workers, including those based where necessary on special agreements or arrangements, by such means as: • further developing exchanges of scientists and research workers and encouraging the organization of preparatory meetings or working groups on research topics of common interest; • encouraging the creation of joint teams of scientists to pursue research projects under arrangements made by the scientific institutions of several countries; • assisting the organization and successful functioning of international conferences and seminars and participation in them by their scientists and research workers; 26 OSCE Human Dimension Commitments