INTRODUCTION
The African Union has adopted the theme “Science, Technology and Scientific Research and Climate change ” for the January 2007 Summit of Heads of State and Government. This presents the African Union (AU) an opportunity to focus on the role that science and technology (S&T) and innovation can play towards Africa's socio-economic development. Key issues for consideration are Africa's capacity to use S&T for socio-economic development, Africa's human capacity in S&T and funding for S&T.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) promotes the use of science, technology and innovation for Africa's development, through policy analysis, advocacy and capacity building of its member States. ECA is also a bridge that brings emerging global UN issues on S&T to Africa, and takes Africa's S&T issues to the UN. It achieves its objectives through alliances and partnerships, most notably with the African Union, the African Development Bank and with African S&T communities and networks of Centres of Excellence. The recent repositioning of ECA to better serve Africa's development needs has created a new, focused Division of ICT, Science and Technology (ISTD), thus aligning S&T more closely with its partners for enhanced collaboration. |
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S&T funding in Africa is still lower than the 1%GDP as approved by the AU Summit in 2003 even in the richer countries. It seems the problem of funding is not so much a question of limited availability funds but the conviction in the value of such an investment. The return on the investment in S&T is not appreciated by the policy makers and even African industry. The challenge therefore is demonstrated by the means of few examples African S&T innovative projects that have socio-economic impact on the ground.
It is towards this demonstration that the African union Department of Human Resources Science and Technology and the ICT, is organizing an exhibition of innovative African projects that can highlight the return on investment in S&T , with the technical support from the Science and Technology Division (ISTD) of ECA. The exhibition will run in parallel with the 2007 Summit of Heads of States and Governments.
OBJECTIVES • To show case innovative S&T projects in AU member States
• To demonstrate the role that S&T can play in Africa's socio-economic development
• To demonstrate the potential investment return in S&T and innovation
• To encourage African policymakers to invest in science education
• To encourage African youth to take up careers in S&T
• To encourage skills and capacity building in S&T
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
• Application for participation: Interested exhibitors need to fill and return the registration form, which can be downloaded from the AU and ECA websites. The invitation and the relevant forms will also be channeled through AU and ECA partners such as ICSU African Office, African Academy of Sciences, UNESCO's ANSTI, Ministries and Councils of S&T, National Intellectual Property Offices and the AU and ECA Databases of Scientists.
• Selection of Participants : A selection team composed of AU and ECA officers as well as other experts will make a short list of potential exhibitors and will select the potential participants.
• Criteria for selection : The following are the criteria to be used:
i. Does the project/innovation address a significant African problem?
ii. Is the innovation applicable in many African contexts?
iii. Does the innovation generate a significant income?
iv. How many staff is employed in the project?
v. Does the project/innovation has world export potential?
vi. If possible exhibitors will be representative of the AU regions (CENSAD, COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD, SADC, UMA)
• Allocation of exhibition Space : Exhibition space will be made available at the ECA exhibition hall in Addis Ababa. Each participant will be allocated a space of 6sqm (2mx3m). A total number of 51 exhibitions will be mounted. As this is the first AU/ECA S&T Exhibition, mounting of an exhibition will be free of charge.
REGISTRATION
Corporate bodies or organizations who may wish to participate in the exhibition should download the Exhibition Manual. Registration and other forms annexed in this manual should be completed as soon as possible and returned by fax or electronically to the addresses/numbers below:
Mr. Girma Dessalegn
Information Technology Centre for Africa
ICT and Science and Technology Division
Economic Commission for Africa
Fax: +251 11-551-0512
Tel: +251 11-544-5022
E-mail: gdessalegn@uneca.org
Or
Mr. Hemant Sunth
Department of Human Resources Science and Technology
African Union Commission
Tel: (+251-11)- 551 0289
Fax: (+251-11)- 551 3782
E-mail: sunthh@africa-union.org
