Date: 21/11/2005
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: Workshop on International Scientific and Technological Co-operation for Sustainable Development
Keynote address by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, at the opening of the Workshop on International Scientific and Technological Co-operation for Sustainable Development at Kwa-Maritane, Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
21 November 2005
Richard Manning, and the OECD delegation, Distinguished Guests and Delegates Ladies and Gentlemen
We have come to accept that in this rapidly globalising world, those countries that have a higher level of investment in the knowledge economy will be the more successful ones both in their ability to compete internationally, and to meeting the needs of their peoples. We also accept that the knowledge economy is driven by innovation, science and technology. In many respects science, technology and innovation has become the key to breaking the codes that will enable us to move towards global sustainable development.
This workshop, hosted under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) Committee for Science and Technology Policy, has an important contribution to make to further the global sustainable development agenda as enunciated in Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Therefore, I am deeply humbled that you have offered my country the opportunity to host this event. I am also impressed by the enthusiasm, commitment and the drive of the organisers, contributors and participants in the run-up to the event. This gathering will seek to bring out your creativity, as you seek to find new and innovative mechanisms for international cooperation and collaboration in science and technology for sustainable development.
This gathering is also critical for the developing world to form new partnerships. These partnerships, both South-South and North-South, will assist those living in the developing world to find solutions for their basic needs such as sustainable access to clean water and energy, and strengthen country initiatives to meet other millennium developmental goals through a sustainable developmental paradigm.
We must point out that the issues are no longer clearly North and South. Increasingly, there are pockets of poverty and underdevelopment in the North as there are new pockets of affluence in the South. In this context, we will all become the net beneficiaries of sharing experiences, knowledge, and where appropriate, also resources. South Africa fully subscribes to the principles of international cooperation on science and technology. This is informed by the simple rationale that the nature of innovation, science and technology is collaborative, and is nurtured by constant dialogue and cooperation.
It was through the collective efforts of the majority of her people, in partnership with the international community, that South Africa was able to ring a death knell of apartheid. Through the goodwill and collective effort of the global community, it is equally possible to repeat a similar feat, and steer the world back on a course of sustainable development and prosperity. What is important is for individual governments to provide enabling environments for the various actors within the system of innovation to collaborate across the globe. We hope that the deliberations of this week will facilitate networks for international cooperation and collaboration, and provide case studies for good practices on thematic issues under discussion.
I now wish to comment briefly on the themes of this workshop - water and energy. I understand they have been chosen to coincide with the work programme of the United Nations (UN) Commission for Sustainable Development. Water and energy are core issues in every part of the world. For the developing world, the question of access and resource availability is paramount. For the developed world, it is issues of demand management and efficiency that are important. Your deliberations will possibly reveal that these are in fact two sides of the same coin. Usually named as the key catalysts for conflict, water and energy issues can, through constructive engagement, become the bridges for world peace and sustainable development.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development identified energy as a high priority. Access to energy, through conventional and alternative means and energy efficiency is the cornerstone to sustainable development. This issue has had increased prominence recently with the implementation of extraordinarily high crude oil prices. All of our economies have had rude reminders that we need to develop new, and accelerate the implementation of existing alternative energy and energy efficiency strategies. Failure to do this will inevitably launch us on a tragic pathway of global energy crisis. Other drivers towards the same end are the attendant issues of pollution and climate change. Therefore, the need for implementing better conservation and demand management measures of world resources has never been more compelling.
To this end, contributions that alternative sources such as hydro- (large and small), nuclear-, solar-, wind- and biomass can make towards enhancing the energy mix of most global scenarios, can never be underestimated. Such initiatives as the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy are becoming increasingly prominent, and during the course of this week, my officials will share with you South Africa’s plans in this regard.
The availability of clean water is another important theme under consideration by this gathering. Water is the source of life. Throughout history, in many parts of the world water has been both the driver of development and great conflict. Despite the inordinate effort, usually put in by women and girls, to bring water into homes, in the African culture, not even an enemy could be denied water if he asked for it. And to this day, water is still linked to food security, health security, environmental security and trade in both the developing and the developed world.
This workshop will examine possibilities for cooperation along the entire water value chain, from the better understanding of the water cycle, to smarter ways of ensuring, both in terms of quantity and quality, access for human and ecological needs.
A key challenge to you scientists is to communicate your ideas and outcomes in accessible ways. We need to simplify these concepts so that a person in the street can also understand how international cooperation can help solve the problems associated with the supply of basic needs and poverty eradication.
Perhaps our greatest challenge in the knowledge economy is the ability to develop and maintain sufficient scientific human capital. Issues of brain drain, aging research populations, and low interest in careers on scientific research and development (R&D) among young people are sources of major concern, especially for developing countries such as South Africa.
To address some of the grave anomalies, especially in the research and development system inherited from our past dispensation, the South African government has developed an elaborate legislative and regulatory framework to encourage accelerated skills development. The challenge facing our young democracy to rapidly enlarge our science base through increasing the number of science, engineering and technology graduates, with a particular focus on the inclusion of women and blacks. The National Research and Development Strategy has been a key policy instrument aimed at unlocking the potential for science and technology (S&T) skills.
My mission is to ensure that all our citizens are availed increased opportunities to acquire appropriate research and development skills to venture into all fields of scientific endeavour, especially in areas where South Africa has geographical advantage. My department is involved in several human capital development initiatives, including the development of the Youth into Science Strategy, funding of post-doctoral studies, professional development, as well as establishing Centres of Excellence. My department has entered into a collaborative relationship with the Department of Education to address the scarce SET skills.
This workshop should not only develop models for inter-country collaborations; it should also encourage mutually beneficial inter-regional co-operation. Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, to spend a minute or two on some of the recent important developments on this continent. In response to an African Union Summit Resolution, two years ago, South Africa hosted the Inaugural meeting of the African Ministers of Science under the auspices of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). This meeting launched the African Ministers’ Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST), and adopted a framework for the development of a business plan for S&T on the continent.
In September this year, at the second meeting of AMCOST in Senegal, Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action was adopted as the blueprint for science and technology in Africa. The plan was applauded by member states, as well as many of our international partners who attended the meeting. The meeting was also peppered with a series of side events, which dealt with issues relating to the progress being made in key initiatives under this banner. These included the African Laser Centre, The BioSciences Initiative, the Water Sciences Initiative and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. This relatively young regional platform is already developing a history that is giving us great pride.
Inter-regional, country-to-country, institution-to-institution and people-to-people cooperation will ultimately constitute the foundations to successful global sustainable development. Your workshop will, I am sure, explore best practices of international science and technology cooperation for sustainable development and various science and technology initiatives, which could strengthen science and technology co-operation between the developing and the developed world.
During your next two days of deliberation, we hope that you will be able to develop sufficient momentum to significantly narrow the “science and technology divide” between the developing and the developed world. I also urge you, as many of you have come a long way, to take a little time to explore and experience some of the treasures of beautiful South Africa.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
21 November 2005
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: Workshop on International Scientific and Technological Co-operation for Sustainable Development
Keynote address by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, at the opening of the Workshop on International Scientific and Technological Co-operation for Sustainable Development at Kwa-Maritane, Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
21 November 2005
Richard Manning, and the OECD delegation, Distinguished Guests and Delegates Ladies and Gentlemen
We have come to accept that in this rapidly globalising world, those countries that have a higher level of investment in the knowledge economy will be the more successful ones both in their ability to compete internationally, and to meeting the needs of their peoples. We also accept that the knowledge economy is driven by innovation, science and technology. In many respects science, technology and innovation has become the key to breaking the codes that will enable us to move towards global sustainable development.
This workshop, hosted under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) Committee for Science and Technology Policy, has an important contribution to make to further the global sustainable development agenda as enunciated in Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Therefore, I am deeply humbled that you have offered my country the opportunity to host this event. I am also impressed by the enthusiasm, commitment and the drive of the organisers, contributors and participants in the run-up to the event. This gathering will seek to bring out your creativity, as you seek to find new and innovative mechanisms for international cooperation and collaboration in science and technology for sustainable development.
This gathering is also critical for the developing world to form new partnerships. These partnerships, both South-South and North-South, will assist those living in the developing world to find solutions for their basic needs such as sustainable access to clean water and energy, and strengthen country initiatives to meet other millennium developmental goals through a sustainable developmental paradigm.
We must point out that the issues are no longer clearly North and South. Increasingly, there are pockets of poverty and underdevelopment in the North as there are new pockets of affluence in the South. In this context, we will all become the net beneficiaries of sharing experiences, knowledge, and where appropriate, also resources. South Africa fully subscribes to the principles of international cooperation on science and technology. This is informed by the simple rationale that the nature of innovation, science and technology is collaborative, and is nurtured by constant dialogue and cooperation.
It was through the collective efforts of the majority of her people, in partnership with the international community, that South Africa was able to ring a death knell of apartheid. Through the goodwill and collective effort of the global community, it is equally possible to repeat a similar feat, and steer the world back on a course of sustainable development and prosperity. What is important is for individual governments to provide enabling environments for the various actors within the system of innovation to collaborate across the globe. We hope that the deliberations of this week will facilitate networks for international cooperation and collaboration, and provide case studies for good practices on thematic issues under discussion.
I now wish to comment briefly on the themes of this workshop - water and energy. I understand they have been chosen to coincide with the work programme of the United Nations (UN) Commission for Sustainable Development. Water and energy are core issues in every part of the world. For the developing world, the question of access and resource availability is paramount. For the developed world, it is issues of demand management and efficiency that are important. Your deliberations will possibly reveal that these are in fact two sides of the same coin. Usually named as the key catalysts for conflict, water and energy issues can, through constructive engagement, become the bridges for world peace and sustainable development.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development identified energy as a high priority. Access to energy, through conventional and alternative means and energy efficiency is the cornerstone to sustainable development. This issue has had increased prominence recently with the implementation of extraordinarily high crude oil prices. All of our economies have had rude reminders that we need to develop new, and accelerate the implementation of existing alternative energy and energy efficiency strategies. Failure to do this will inevitably launch us on a tragic pathway of global energy crisis. Other drivers towards the same end are the attendant issues of pollution and climate change. Therefore, the need for implementing better conservation and demand management measures of world resources has never been more compelling.
To this end, contributions that alternative sources such as hydro- (large and small), nuclear-, solar-, wind- and biomass can make towards enhancing the energy mix of most global scenarios, can never be underestimated. Such initiatives as the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy are becoming increasingly prominent, and during the course of this week, my officials will share with you South Africa’s plans in this regard.
The availability of clean water is another important theme under consideration by this gathering. Water is the source of life. Throughout history, in many parts of the world water has been both the driver of development and great conflict. Despite the inordinate effort, usually put in by women and girls, to bring water into homes, in the African culture, not even an enemy could be denied water if he asked for it. And to this day, water is still linked to food security, health security, environmental security and trade in both the developing and the developed world.
This workshop will examine possibilities for cooperation along the entire water value chain, from the better understanding of the water cycle, to smarter ways of ensuring, both in terms of quantity and quality, access for human and ecological needs.
A key challenge to you scientists is to communicate your ideas and outcomes in accessible ways. We need to simplify these concepts so that a person in the street can also understand how international cooperation can help solve the problems associated with the supply of basic needs and poverty eradication.
Perhaps our greatest challenge in the knowledge economy is the ability to develop and maintain sufficient scientific human capital. Issues of brain drain, aging research populations, and low interest in careers on scientific research and development (R&D) among young people are sources of major concern, especially for developing countries such as South Africa.
To address some of the grave anomalies, especially in the research and development system inherited from our past dispensation, the South African government has developed an elaborate legislative and regulatory framework to encourage accelerated skills development. The challenge facing our young democracy to rapidly enlarge our science base through increasing the number of science, engineering and technology graduates, with a particular focus on the inclusion of women and blacks. The National Research and Development Strategy has been a key policy instrument aimed at unlocking the potential for science and technology (S&T) skills.
My mission is to ensure that all our citizens are availed increased opportunities to acquire appropriate research and development skills to venture into all fields of scientific endeavour, especially in areas where South Africa has geographical advantage. My department is involved in several human capital development initiatives, including the development of the Youth into Science Strategy, funding of post-doctoral studies, professional development, as well as establishing Centres of Excellence. My department has entered into a collaborative relationship with the Department of Education to address the scarce SET skills.
This workshop should not only develop models for inter-country collaborations; it should also encourage mutually beneficial inter-regional co-operation. Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, to spend a minute or two on some of the recent important developments on this continent. In response to an African Union Summit Resolution, two years ago, South Africa hosted the Inaugural meeting of the African Ministers of Science under the auspices of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). This meeting launched the African Ministers’ Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST), and adopted a framework for the development of a business plan for S&T on the continent.
In September this year, at the second meeting of AMCOST in Senegal, Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action was adopted as the blueprint for science and technology in Africa. The plan was applauded by member states, as well as many of our international partners who attended the meeting. The meeting was also peppered with a series of side events, which dealt with issues relating to the progress being made in key initiatives under this banner. These included the African Laser Centre, The BioSciences Initiative, the Water Sciences Initiative and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. This relatively young regional platform is already developing a history that is giving us great pride.
Inter-regional, country-to-country, institution-to-institution and people-to-people cooperation will ultimately constitute the foundations to successful global sustainable development. Your workshop will, I am sure, explore best practices of international science and technology cooperation for sustainable development and various science and technology initiatives, which could strengthen science and technology co-operation between the developing and the developed world.
During your next two days of deliberation, we hope that you will be able to develop sufficient momentum to significantly narrow the “science and technology divide” between the developing and the developed world. I also urge you, as many of you have come a long way, to take a little time to explore and experience some of the treasures of beautiful South Africa.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
21 November 2005
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