UNESCO’s contribution to the implementation of the AU/CPA for science and technology
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Transcript of UNESCO’s contribution to the implementation of the AU/CPA for science and technology
UNESCO’s contribution to the
implementation of the AU/CPA for
science and technology
10 May 2010, BamakoWest Africa Regional workshop on STI policy
Dr Shamila Nair-BedouelleChef of Section, AU/CPA Implementation
Division for Science Policies and Sustainable Development, Natural Sciences Sector,
Consolidated Plan of ActionAU Summit, Jan 2007
The Plan is built on three interrelated conceptual pillars:
•capacity building
•knowledge production, and
•technological innovation
Addis Declaration on S&T and Scientific Research for Development, called upon
UNESCO to assist in implementation of the CPA
UNESCO – African Union
Strategic Partnership for STI
• UNESCO leads UN S&T Cluster for the Support of AU/NEPAD Plan of Action
• UNESCO represents UN within the African Cluster for S&T
• UNESCO is a member of AMCOST Steering Committee (May 2008)
• Members of the S&T Cluster include UNESCO, UNECA, WIPO, UNIDO, UNCTAD, FAO, UNEP, ILO, WHO, UNDP, UNU-MERIT, IAEA
• Science and Technology play a vital role for addressing Africa’s most pressing needs (MDG’s, Food Security, Energy, Industries, etc.)
• Increased efforts by African Communities (AU, Ministers and Scientists) to harness S&T for Development– 2009 AU Summit endorsed the African Science,
Technology and Innovation Observatory
S&T and Africa’s DevelopmentS&T and Africa’s Development
UN Regional Development Efforts1999
•UN Secretary-General’s reform agenda
•Coherence of activities of UN agencies
•Regional consultation meetings (5 regions)
•5th Regional Consultation, May 2003 established« UN Science and Technology Cluster »
•UNESCO as Convener and UNECA as Vice Convener
UN S&T Cluster Established: 2003Members: 13 UN Agencies
ActivitiesWork closely with AU/NEPAD’s Plan of Action in Science
Assist in preparation of First AMCOST 2003, Second and Third
Contribution and support to the CPA
Align Agency activities in support of the CPA
Report of the UN S&T ClusterReport of the UN S&T Cluster Achievements, Results and Impacts
Challenges and ConstraintsLessons Learned and the Way Forward
1010thth UN RCM, Chair-Deputy Secretary General, UN UN RCM, Chair-Deputy Secretary General, UNAddis Ababa, November, 2009Addis Ababa, November, 2009
Accountability-StructuralSystemic Issues
• 4th Cluster, 4 Sept 2009, Geneva • Participation of AU/NEPAD and Chair of
AMCOST• All Agencies participation in ACST: Abuja 2008
Bujumbura 2009• UNESCO participation in AMCOST Steering
Committee/BureauAbuja 2008Bujumbura 2009
Accountability-StructuralSystemic Issues
• Secretariat: Coordinator, UNESCO, Paris
• Cluster web site @UNESCO
• AU/NEPAD and RECs invited to regional meetings of Cluster members
• Need framework for overall monitoring/evaluation of on-going S&T capacity-building activities
Coordination/CollaborationCoordination/Collaboration
Challenges and ConstraintsChallenges and Constraints • Coordination of diversity of actors in S&T
development in Africa • Need for synergies, collaboration and
communication between CPA implementers and facilitators
• Harmonization in implementation of evidence based policy making
• Harmonization of data collection and analyses- R&D indicator surveys led by AU/NEPAD
Challenges and ConstraintsChallenges and Constraints
Identification of joint “inter-agency” activities- mandates- programming cycle - funding - reporting
Mainstreaming joint activities in Science, Technology and Innovation into
ONE UN and UNDAF priorities
•African Innovation Endowment Fund, follow up to SwA, 2008, UNECA-June 2010
•Harmonization of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy reviews, « holistic » reviews (IP, innovation), UNESCO
•« Evaluation of the CPA- 5 years on »- proposed by outgoing AMCOST-Chair, UNECA, UNESCO, WIPO, UNIDO
•»STI and its contribution to the MDG’s » UNESCO/UNECA/AMCOST/AUC
« unlocking the potential of science, technology and innovation to achieve the MDGs in Rwanda » Jan 2010
Way forwardIdentification of joint “inter-agency” initiatives
UNESCO – African Union
Strategic Partnership for STI
African Cluster for Science & Technology ACST
•UNECA - Vice Chair
•UNESCO – Rapporteur
AFRICAN UNION
African Cluster for Science & Technology
• Established at AMCOST III, May 2008
“provide a single forum for coordination of activities that
contribute to implementation of the CPA”
CPA Science Policy Programmesrequests
•Creating institutional & policy arrangements to mobilize and share their resources to conduct science and generate technological innovations
•Building a critical mass of science policy advisors to African governments and the policy sector
•Build and disseminate information and experiences on science, technology and innovation policies
Promoting Innovation• UNIDO establishing university chairs of innovation in African universities,
and implementing the « Africa Technology and Innovation Initiative » (CAMI)
• UNECA launched the African Science, Technology and Innovation Endowment Funds and the Development of the African Innovation Framework (African Ministers of Finance)
• Strengthening links between science and business: UNESCO’s University-Industry-Science Partnership The African Science to Business Challenge, UNECATechnology Parks and Incubators in Africa”, UNIDO, UNESCO UNU-MERIT GLOBELICS program: building competence in
innovation, how to measure “innovation”
• WIPO-Technical advice for national IP audits; IP and technology management; IP patent drafting; IP and knowledge transfer
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy
• UNEP support to African Ministerial Council on the Environment, African Environmental Outlook for Policymakers
• To date 20 African countries have made requests to UNESCO for assistance with the review / reformulation of their STI policy via governments and Heads of StateUNESCO implemented in collaboration with AUC and
AU/NEPAD and planned joint activities with UNIDO,WIPO, UNECA and UNU-MERIT
UNESCO’s Plan of ActionGC 2007, UNESCO’s 194 MS
Africa Group = 54MS
Capacity building in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
Enhancing Science & Technology Education
The African Virtual Campus
CPA Science Policy Programmesrequests
•Creating institutional & policy arrangements to mobilize and share their resources to conduct science and generate technological innovations
•Building a critical mass of science policy advisors to African governments and the policy sector
•Build and disseminate information and experiences on science, technology and innovation policies
Governance of Science: role of Parliament
The need for closer co-operation among policy-makers, parliamentarians, scientists, journalists, industry (public and private) and civil society;
The setting-up of parliamentary science committees in Africa
A first Parliamentary Science Forum took place in Brazzaville March 2008
East Africa, Mombasa April 2009 (Mombasa Declaration)
STI policy, STI statistics and indicators training workshop
(UNESCO, UIS, AU/NEPAD)
-SADC, Botswana,22-26 Sept 2008
- East and North Africa, Kenya, 30March- 4 April 2009
- West Africa, Gabon, 15-20 June 2009
STI policy, STI statistics and indicators training workshop
(UNESCO, UIS, AU/NEPAD)
Chair, AMCOST, Kenya
Conclusion
UNESCO- instrument of international cooperation
Strategic partners in Africa- AU-UNECA International peace and development
can thrive through collaboration and dialogue
Maximize science as a cultural value