| Science
and Technology for Africa’s Development The Problem
Poor
technological capability remains one of the major constraints to Africa’s sustainable
development. The lack of deliberate technological learning and implementation of
technological policies that are in line with domestic economic problems and the challenges
of globalization are overwhelming. Also overwhelming is the continent’s continuous
failure to learn from the Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs) and to address properly
the key issues that have shaped the development paradigm in these countries.
Science and technology can make substantial contributions to the effective
development of the continent. In order to enhance these contributions, priority should be
accorded to at least five domains. These are human resources development, increased
investments, establishment of suitable institutions, formulation and adoption of
appropriate policies and inter-country cooperation within and outside Africa.
Goal
The goal of the
team is to assist member States in building an endogenous scientific and technological
capability to address Africa’s development issues, particularly as they relates to
food security and sustainable development. The
objectives of the team include: (1) facilitating access to relevant information for
science and technology policy-making, (2) sharing knowledge, experiences and best
practices and (3) strengthening collaboration and cooperation among member States and with
international partners.
Strategy
Assisting member
states in building the requisite national and regional policy-making capabilities;
Networking and
exchange of expertise and experiences with partners through a network of science and
technology experts;
Advocacy, awareness
raising and policy advice through meetings, seminars and executive dialogues in order to
arrive at a consensus on policies and strategies for facilitating the development of
science and technology;
Carrying out policy
analysis and developing analytical tools for making informed decisions;
Extending advisory
services to member states and regional institutions on various science and technology
management issues; and
Compilation of
science and technology best practices.
Highlights
of 2000 Activities
1.Meetings
2.Other
substantive activities
The
team has produced a number of documents and studies in collaboration with key visiting
scholars. The documents and studies were presented at various meetings.
3.International
co-operation and inter-agency co-operation and liaison
The team
collaborated with other UN Agencies and institutions concerned with science and technology
for development, such as the United Nations Commission for Science and Technology for
Development and the United Nations University. The team collaborated also with key
intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions in science and technology.
4.Technical
Co-operation, Training and Field Projects
The team
provided advisory services on request to selected member States and key regional and
subregional institutions in science and technology for food security and sustainable
development.
Highlights
of 2001 Activities
1.Meetings
2nd
Meeting of the Committee on Natural Resources and Science and Technology (CNRST2). The
meeting of the Committee is jointly organised with RCID and is likely to be held from 13
to 15 June. Three themes for discussions have
been identified at the first meeting of the Committee.
These themes are: (1) Enhancing
Africa’s competitiveness in the area of natural resources: policy issues, (2) New and
emerging technologies for the development of Africa’s natural resources, and (3)
Strengthening science and technology systems to promote Africa’s natural resources.
4th
meeting of the Advisory Board on Science and Technology. The Advisory Board on Science and
Technology comprises high-level experts in science and technology policy in Africa. The meeting of the Board will take place from 29
to 31 October in Addis Ababa. The Board
advises ECA regarding its program of work in science and technology.
2.Other substantive activities
Launching and diffusion
of the ECA Science and Technology Network (ESTNET). As a resource center for information,
communication and collaboration on science and technology policies, issues and management
in Africa, ESTNET seeks to provide a virtual space where a learning community of science
and technology policy-makers, managers, analysts and policy-making institutions can
network, share information dynamically and build important databases on science and
technology of interest to Africa. Activities
in 2001 will aim at improving upon the existing website, training the network operators,
further developing and expanding the databases, promoting connectivity, launching and
marketing the network, updating and maintaining the website, and assisting member States
and relevant institutions in using and benefiting from the network. Opportunities will be seized to demonstrate the
network at meetings, during field missions and to SRDCs in order to enhance
knowledge-sharing and partnerships in the area of science and technology in Africa.
3.International co-operation and
inter-agency co-operation and liaison
The team will
continue to collaborate with other UN Agencies and institutions concerned with science and
technology for development, notably with the United Nations University in the organization
of the CNRST2. The team will also collaborate and cooperate with other key
intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions in science and technology.
4.Technical Co-operation, Training and Field
Projects
The team will
continue to provide advisory services on request to selected member States and key
regional and subregional institutions in science and technology for food security and
sustainable development.
Major
Publications
Some recent publications
Paths to
technology-based development: lessons for Africa
The role of
Government in national technological development
Technological
capability building in the South: lessons and opportunities for Sub-Saharan Africa
Issues of
environmentally friendly technology: lessons for Africa
Management of
technology in the global context: lessons for Africa
Technological
transitions: technical upgrading of indigenous food technology in Africa
Science and
Technology for Africa’s development
Natural
resources and technology: Competitiveness and Sustainable development in Africa
Investing in
science and technology in Africa: policy issues and options for the 21st century
Africa’s
competitiveness and sustainability: insufficiency of natural resources
Africa’s
technological capability and global competitiveness: challenges for the 21st century
Staff
members
Mr. Jacques L. Hamel, Team Leader
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