Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, 18 January 1996
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, DR BEN NGUBANE
GREEN PAPER ON SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: AN IMPORTANT STEP IN IMPROVING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE
The first step in developing a science and technology policy was taken with the launch of the Green Paper in Pretoria today.
In making the announcement, Minister Ngubane saidthat the Green Paper identified key issues to be addressed by government policy, and suggests some of the options available to stakeholders and decision-takers. The Green Paper contains valuable information on human resources for and funding of research and development, international trends, etc. The Green Paper will form the basis of the drafting of a White Paper on Science and Technology which will set the tone for all enabling and restructuring legislation pertaining to the science and technology system.
International expertise and funding by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada as well as local expertise and assistance were used to draft a document which is being widely distributed and discussed to mobilise the collective wisdom needed to produce an effective White Paper on Science and Technology.
Some of the important issues raised in the Green Paper on which Government would appreciate inputs from as wide a spectrum as possible are:
- facilitating the creation of science, engineering and technology (SET) culture in our society that will enable and empower citizens to value scientific knowledge and view the SET system as an important asset;
- promoting and supporting the generation of knowledge and curiosity-based activities;
- constructing a more inclusive and consultative approach to policy decision-making and resource allocations to and within the SET system;
- ensuring that there is a broad and constructive debate on the social impact of SET that takes into account equity considerations and economic growth;
- creating a process to deal with SET in a coherent way, and to better co-ordinate SET activities;
- maximising and redirecting benefits of SET to the population at large.
Minister Ngubane said that inputs from all quarters will be considered and should contribute to quality of South Africa's S&T policy. He expressed the hope that this will be a national effort.
The Minister remarked that South AFrica is going through a process of fundamental change and the challenge is to harness the benefits generated by amongst others research and development through science and technology and direct these towards the social and economic good of South Africa. Policies and strategies will have to reconcile meeting basic needs (such as housing and clean water supply) with the funds needed for research and development which generate innovation, underpin international competitiveness and support economic growth.
The Government of National Unity has put in place a broad consultative process aimed at developing best policies and practices to achieve its goals. As far as science and technology are concerned, the task of managing this process has been given to the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
The closing date for submissions is 28 February 1996 and can be sent to:
Science and Technology Green Paper The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Private Bag X894 PRETORIA 0001
or by electronic mail to: Greenpaper@acts2.pwv.gov.za Contact person: Dr C J Scheffer Tel: (012) 314-6142