In the 21st century the number of scientists is rapidly increasing and science and society are becoming more and more intertwined. In this rapidly changing landscape it is important to reflect upon the role, the best practices and the responsibilities of the individuals doing science. I argue that this should be one of the primary concerns for the scientific community and society at large. This is because, as mentioned before, the future (and probably survival) of humankind relies heavily on the recommendations of the scientific community and its scientific and technological discoveries. Unfortunately most scientists were not trained to face this emerging scenario, which in particular requires them to successfully engage in a dialog with the public, the media and the political class. Fortunately scientists have been trained to learn quickly new skills and adapt rapidly to changing paradigms and new challenges. It’s time to identify what these skills and challenges are. That’s the rationale behind this manifesto.