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Polity
Published: 02 Sep 2004
Mangena: Consultative forum on two related reports (02/09/2004)
Date: 02/09/2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Consultative forum on two related reports


ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON TWO RELATED REPORTS - "INVENTING A BETTER FUTURE: A STRATEGY FOR BUILDING WORLDWIDE CAPACITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY" (BY THE INTERACADEMY COUNCIL) AND "PROMOTING SOUTH AFRICAN S&T CAPACITY FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY" (BY ASSAF) ON 02 SEPTEMBER 2004 AT THE CSIR CONFERENCE CENTRE

Prof Jacob Palis, Co-chair of IAC Study Panel,
Dr Fernandes, Deputy Minister of Science & Technology of Brazil,
Prof Wieland Gevers, President of the Academy of Science of South Africa,
Programme facilitators and chairpersons,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today's forum, and release in South Africa of the two related reports on S&T capacity development, mark a significant change in the role played by the national and international science academies in science-driven development. What were once elite clubs of scientists have now become activist organisations that provide essential scientific advice to the government policy-making processes. The international bodies formed by the national science academies such as the Inter-Academy Panel (IAP), and the Inter-Academy Council make concerted scientific interventions across national boundaries possible. This takes away the need for each Academy to re-invent the wheel on issues of common concern.

Science and technology capability is among the topmost indicators of a country's current and future performance in the knowledge economy. As in the rest of the developed world, governments and economic enterprises in developing countries also stand a better chance of improving their competitiveness, if they utilise scientific innovation in conducting their day-to-day affairs. For our economy to perform better we also need to ensure that essential scientific and technological know-how and applications are transferred to our disadvantaged SMMEs in order to improve their efficiency, and quality of their products. The modern world is built on the cumulative S&T knowledge passed down from generation to generation. This is one characteristic that separates humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. Our society generally, and our youth in particular, need to understand the value and impact of science and technology on their lives.

This meeting fittingly coincides with the second anniversary of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. I understand that Johannesburg +2 is intended to specifically reflect on a number of the issues embodied in these reports. Indeed the increased relationship between science and sustainable development is one of the most concrete outcomes of the Summit.

Globalisation has sparked intense debate about the exploitation of poorer countries by the rich, of multi-national imperialism and yawning wealth divides. It is encouraging that international cooperation is still capable of producing study reports, which map out issues that can contribute towards strengthening in-house capacities of developing countries. When two studies are conducted side by side, we are able to draw on insights from a number of perspectives.

I have no doubt that we will greatly benefit from a careful study and analysis of these two reports. I understand that officials in the DST gave considerable attention to the IAC report, and participated in the development of the national report. The forum being held today allows the participants to scrutinise the recommendations, analyse their implications and assess the feasibility of implementation. Some of the suggestions are bold and innovative; some require resourcing at national and international levels; and others will require us to re-think old ways of doing things. In some cases we may need to urge our Academy and its global counterparts to reflect more deeply on certain issues. What will be of lasting benefit is the stimulus given to our national Academy of Sciences to concentrate on providing science-based advice to government and other role players, and to ensure that the outcomes of its international initiatives are brought to bear on our challenges and ways of doing things.

The strengthening of the National Science Academies of African countries, funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, via the United States National Academies, to carry out a 10-year project to enable African countries to capitalise on the use of high-potential Science & Technology based economic and social development, is a step in the right direction. This initiative will count among the key contributors to the NEPAD agenda.

We would like to thank Dr Fernandes, Deputy Minister of Science & Technology, and Prof Jacob Palis, both from Brazil, for joining us at this forum during their visit to South Africa. We congratulate Prof Palis and his colleagues on the scope and significance of the report on "Inventing a better future..." Its articulation with the parallel study conducted by our own Academy, clearly contributed to and enriched the work of the international panel. It is worth noting that our own Dr Mamphele Ramphele was also a panelist. The synthesis report produced by the Academy of Science of South Africa, "Promoting South African S&T Capacity for the 21st Century", takes into account both international and national insights in its enunciation of the problem of S&T capacity development in this country.

I am pleased to receive copies of these two highly significant reports today, and will encourage officials of the Department of Science and Technology to examine their relevance to our national circumstances.

I thank you, and wish the forum well in its further deliberations.

Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
2 September 2004