This Department is concerned with the development of human resources in Member States through education and training programmes, as well as the utilization of Science and Technology for development on the Continent. It is proposed that the Department include 2 divisions, namely: Human Resources and Youth, and Science & Technology including Information and Communication Technology.

A. Mandate
The mandate of the Department is the promotion and coordination of Human Resources Development and Science and Technology policies, particularly the development of ICT for the social and economic development of Africa. These policies will be to enhance the integration process through programmes and activities that are perceived by Member States as reflective of their priority developmental objectives and political stability.

B. Objective
The overall objective of this Department is the establishment of priority and specific programmes that can be implemented in an effective manner in order to achieve regional integration and economic development. To achieve this objective, it is essential to:

C. Programme Thrust
The programme thrust of the Department will be the promotion, co-ordination and the strengthening of Science and Technology programmes for acceleration of the development of Africa. The new Science and Technology agenda will emphasise the development of human resources for the creation of a Science and Technology based infrastructure. Adequate attention will be given to the emerging new Sciences and Technologies as well as Intellectual Property Rights and indigenous knowledge promotion. The thrust will include establishing appropriate systems for human resource development and skills acquisition in the areas of education, vocational training, literacy and culture.

D. Programme Elements

(i) Science and Technology Policies

- Develop policy and undertake joint planning of strategies and priority programmes in Science and Technology.
- Undertake periodic monitoring and evaluation of Science and Technology programmes to ascertain performance.
- Establish a Science and Technology development monitoring mechanism.
- Monitor international programmes and activities for their relevance and impact on Africa.
- Develop a data base and information gathering and dissemination mechanisms to support continuous programme planning.
- Promote the interest of Youth in Science and Technology.
- Revive and service the operation and activities of the Scientific Council for Africa (CSA).
- Undertake an integrated review and analysis of Science and Technology policy currently in place in the RECs with a view to harmonising and putting in place systematic methods of implementation.
- Work with the African Science and Technology networks as a means of integrating the organised private sector, Civil Society and other initiatives into a more effective AU Science and Technology Programme.

(ii) Indigenous and New Technologies

- Promote the conservation and protection of medicinal plants.
- Promote ethno-botanic surveys as means of taking stock of African medicinal plants.
- Organise periodic conferences on traditional medicine and medicinal plants.
- Promote research on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in Africa and ensure its protection.
- Promote research and development programmes on renewable energy resources particularly solar, wind, hydropower and bio-mass.

(iii) Education and Human Resources Development

- Advocacy through RECs and Member States for the establishment of policies in line with the vision of Human Resources Development embodied in the various existing policy documents e.g. Decade of Education Plan of Action, Harare Declaration, EFA.
- Strengthen RECs education policies and strategies (Meetings, studies, production of materials …).
- Promote Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education
- Promote model laws on the protection of local communities, farmers and breeders rights, and the regulation of access to biological resources.
- Promote the African Model Law on Biosafety.
- Recognise Research Scientists and Inventors and provide achievement awards.

(v) Inter regional coorporation

- Collaborate with the RECs in the determination and implementation of priority programmes and activities in Science and Technology, particularly in agricultural research, natural resources and environment as well as in capacity building.
- Coordinate, support and facilitate the implementation of Science and Technology and Human Resource Development programmes at the RECs.
- Promote an African common position on Science and Technology as well as on Human Resources Development matters at international for a and during negotiations.

(vi) Information and Communication Technologies

- Facilitate the integration of Africa into the new information society, using its cultural diversity as a leverage.
- Promote technological exchange programmes capable of meeting the Continent’s specific needs with particular regard to the fight against illiteracy.
- Develop and produce a pool of ICT proficient youths and students from whom Africa can draw trainee engineers, programmers and software developers.
- Establish a network of training and research institutions to build high level human resources.

E. Core Functions

i. To coordinate policies relating to Human Resources Development, Science and Technology and Member States;
ii. To promote research in Science and Technology;
iii. To promote the integration of ICT’s into Research and Development;
iv. To strengthen cooperation in the field of education and training;
v. To coordinate the advancement of the development of the Continent by promoting research in the field of Science and Technology;
vi. To ensure promotion and strengthening in the use of Information and Communication Technologies in the areas of socio-economic and socio-cultural development in Africa;
vii. To provide logistical support of Science and Technology;
viii. To participate in scientific research and make available reports emanating from this research;
ix. To promote the use of principles, gleaned from best practices;
x. To promote the integration of youth in the development process of the continent;
xi. To encourage the interest of youth in science and technology.

MAJOR PROGRAMME BEING IMPLEMENTED AT PRESENT

Presently the Department is implementing, in the area of Human Resources Development, the Programme of Action of the Decade of Education in Africa (1997-2006).

Indeed, in recognition to the challenge posed by the various problems of Education in the Continent, such as : low participation rates, especially for girls; limitation of resources for current and capital expenditure; low quality; internal and external inefficiencies; access disparities; etc… the Assembly of Heads of State and Government meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon in June 1996, declared the Period 1997-2006, “the Decade of Education in Africa” and mandated the Secretariat to prepare a Plan of Action for its implementation.

The Plan was adopted by the First Conference of African Ministers of Education (COMEDAF) in Harare, Zimbabwe in March 1999 and subsequently endorsed by the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government meeting in July 1999 in Algiers, Algeria.

The Plan of Action, in order to promote a process of in-depth transformation of the present educational systems and to attain the set objectives, focussed on the following four areas: Equity and Access to education; Quality, relevance and effectiveness of education; Complementary learning modalities; and Capacity building.

The implementation of the Programme of Action will contribute towards the political and socio-economic development of the Continent. It will galvanize Africa’s transformation, by enhancing the pivotal role of education and the development of human resources through education and training. The Plan is being jointly implemented by the Secretariat, the Regional Economic Communities and Member States.

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