CNRST1 Meetings Document : Work Programme

Home > ECA Meetings > CNRST1 Meetings Document > Work Programme

18 August 2000
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
First Session of the Committee on Natural Resources and Science and Technology Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
15-18 November 1999

ACHIEVEMENTS AND WORK PROGRAMME IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES (in FSSDD)

Overview and summary of activities

The activities of this component aim at assisting member States in building an endogenous scientific and technological capability to address Africa’s development; particularly as it relates to nexus issues, i.e. the interrelationships between population – agriculture - environment. The activities support three critical transitions: from high to low population growth, from low to high productivity agriculture and from environmental degradation to environmental conservation and rehabilitation.

The activities strengthen cooperation between member States in tackling regional and subregional issues in science and technology through a regional conference, publications on key issues of interest to member States, advocacy, awareness raising, networking and technical cooperation. The activities also strengthen international cooperation and inter-agency co-ordination, harmonization and liaison with institutions and organizations concerned with science and technology for the sustainable development of Africa.

The expected results are the following:

Increased member States awareness and commitment to apply S&T to ensure food security and sustainable development

Promoted effective S & T policies and strategies for addressing the nexus issues

Shared relevant information on S & T and best practices and enhanced communication amongst S & T community

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1998-1999

Servicing of Intergovernmental / Expert Meetings

(a) Substantive Servicing of Meetings

Preparation of CNRST1 Meeting

(b) Other Services Provided

Expert Meeting on Science and Technology for Food Security and Sustainable Development (February 1998). The meeting focused on identification, recording and diffusion of best practices in science and technology for food security.

Organization of the First Meeting (May 1998) and Second Meeting (June 1999) of the ECA Science and Technology Advisory Board. The meetings proposed orientations for ECA for an effective program of activities in science and technology

First Executive Dialogue of Ministers and Leaders of the Private Sector in Science and Technology for Africa’s Development (June 1998). The meeting discussed three themes: (1) Africa’s technological development in the context of globalization, (2) Information technology in support of food security and sustainable development, and (3) Research institutions – Industry relations within the National Systems of Innovation”

Training seminar on technology-based development: visiting scholar’s scheme (June 1999

Other substantive Activities (Non-recurrent Publications)

(a) Technical Documents Produced by the Members of the S & T Team

A Policy Brief on ‘Science and Technology for Sustainable Development”

A Brochure on “Science and Technology in the Renewed ECA”

Compendium of Best Practices in Science and Technology for Food Security and Sustainable Development (Database on Lotus Notes)

Role and potential of indigenous food technologies for sustainable food security. (4 documents)

Concept and design of ESTNET – The ECA Science and Technology Network

Paths to technology-based development: lessons for Africa.

Paper prepared and presented at the Africa Regional Council Conference of the International Association of University Presidents, held in Accra (Ghana) from 9 to 11 June 1999l

Higher education and informal sector partnership

Paper prepared and presented at the Africa Regional Council Conference of the International Association of University Presidents, held in Accra (Ghana) from 9 to 11 June 1999

The role of Government in national technological development

Paper prepared and presented at the Sensitization Workshop on Appropriate technology for Development, held in Maseru (Lesotho) from 11 to 13 August 1999

(b) Technical documents produced with the assistance of consultants

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 developing countries: lessons for Africa

Management of technology in the global context: lessons for Africa

Technological transitions: technical upgrading of indigenous food technology in Africa

Africa’s competitiveness and sustainability: insufficiency of natural resources

Africa’s technological capability and global competitiveness: challenges for the 21st century

Contribution to the PEDA model – a computer-assisted model which captures the long-term interrelationships between Population, Environment and Agriculture variables, including of technological inputs, and their impacts on food security

Preparatory work for the launching of the ESTNET – a collaborative network of science and technology policy-making institutions and policy-makers to enhance access to information related to science and technology policies in Africa. The network has a steering committee and comprises a number of databases and a Website.

International Cooperation and Inter-Agency coordination and Liaison

The ECA was represented by members of the science and technology team at the following meetings or events:

Eighth International Conference on Management of Technology held in Cairo (Egypt) from 15 to 17 March 1999

Africa Regional Council Conference of the International Association of University Presidents, held in Accra (Ghana) from 9 to 11 June 1999

Sensitization Workshop on Appropriate Technology for Development, held in Maseru (Lesotho) from 11 to 13 August 1999

Jury panel for the examination and selection of the best African inventor/innovator for the award of the OAU/WIPO goal medal ( OAU premises 14-16 June 1999)

ACTICITIES IN 2000-2001

1-Servicing of intergovernmental and expert meetings

a) Substantive Servicing of Meetings

Second meeting of the Committee on Natural Resources and Science and Technology (CNRST2)

b) Parliamentary documentation

Report to the Committee on Natural Resources and Science and Technology (CNRST2) on key issues in science and technology for African development

c) Other services provided

Meetings of the Advisory Board on Science and Technology

2 Other substantive activities

a) Recurrent publications: Compendium of best practices in science and technology for food security and sustainable development

b) Non-recurrent publications: Technical publication on Linkages between Research and Agro-industries in Africa

c) Booklets, pamphlets, fact sheets, wall charts, information kits

Two Newsletters on the ECA Science and Technology Network (ESTNET)

3) International cooperation and inter-agency cooperation and liaison

Cooperation and liaison with member States, key international, regional and subregional intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions in science and technology (e.g. CGIAR, CORAF, AAS, PUST, OAPI, ARIPO, ATPS, AFRISTECH) which are concerned with science and technology for sustainable development.

Coordination and harmonization with other United Nations Agencies and institutions concerned with science and technology for development, such as the United Nations Commission for Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD), UNU/INRA, UNCTAD, FAO, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNEP, WIPO, etc.)

4) Technical cooperation

Advisory services

Periodic provision of advice and technical support to member States and institutions on various issues related to science and technology development

Backstopping of ECA-sponsored institutions in science and technology, including: the African Regional Center for Technology (ARCT)