ECA Moves from Ideas to Action to Promote Scientific Research and Development in Africa

Addis Ababa , 09 June 2008 (ECA) – The Information, Science and Technology Division (ISTD) of the Economic Commission for Africa organized a workshop last week in Addis Ababa in collaboration with the African Union Commission and Brainstore to devise strategies and set a timeframe for the implementation of innovative ideas, which the Science with Africa Conference generated last March. Government officials, ECA and AU experts as well as the African Diaspora representatives who attended this roadmap workshop identified potential lead institutions and possible partners for each core idea. They also discussed funding constraints and reviewed fiscal systems in place to ensure a thorough assessment of the costs involved.

The Science with Africa Conference ended last March with the adoption of 20 ideas for boosting research and development in Africa . Key among these ideas were: the creation of an African Philanthropists for science club, the launch of Olympic science games and an African research yearbook. One science kit per classroom, a luxury contribution fund and a science camp for girls were also among the ideas adopted by a large majority of participants.

One of the biggest implementation challenges today is to explore innovative ways for funding selected ideas. In his closing statement, the Idea Director of Brainstore Mr. Samuel Mueller indicated in an optimistic note that: “if you have an idea that is unique, it attracts funds”.

According to Ms Aida Opoku-Mensah, the Director of ISTD the outcome document of the road map workshop will also be a good way of marketing the innovative ideas agreed upon.

The Science with Africa Conference was convened by ECA in response to the need for a major science initiative in Africa addressing the weak interaction between the African scientific community and other stakeholders. It was also intended to increase the usability of scientific outputs on the continent and ensure an adequate representation of African scientists in international research projects.