Experts and officials gathered on the first Africa Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation in Nairobi, Kenya are trying to find African solutions to African problems. Participants are calling for African governments to fund and promote research and development at home.
U.N. Economic Commission for Africa Technology Division Director Aida Opolu-Mensah says for too long Africa's science and technology agenda have been set by the continent's development partners.
Need to be within the "driving seatâ€
"Therefore, if Africa is the hot pole of growth, then Africa needs to be within the driving seat. And Africa has to speculate its own resources within the science and technology that they need to exploit so as to do so new growth.â€
Speaking at the beginning of the forum Sunday, Opoku-Mensah called for African countries to fund science and technology programs from their national budgets, instead of to depend upon "gifts†from international partners.
In 2006, the African Union set a target for all member countries to spend no less than one percent in their gross domestic product on science research and development. In line with research from an A.U. development program, called NEPAD, only Uganda, Malawi and South Africa have reached that focus on.
African economies have grown explosively up to now decade, and are predicted to continue expanding by most estimates. The International Monetary Fund expects African economies to grow by nearly six percent this year.
Growth versus development
But as African Development Bank Vice chairman Kamal El Khesten points out, growth would not necessarily equate to development.
"This growth was not sufficiently inclusive, indeed, no matter double-digit growth rates in lots of countries, the phenomenon of jobless growth has become an increasing reason for concern. Our challenge is to deal with the mismatch between skills development and the true requirements of the labor market.â€
One of the central themes of the conference is youth employment. El Khesten said the continent must invest more in higher education to organize students for jobs in science and technology.
More than one panelist noted the Arab Spring revolutions were fueled partly by frustration over rampant unemployment, and warned that Africa could experience an identical uprising.
There isn't any shortage of recommendation and guidance on science and technology development in Africa. The African Union has made numerous declarations at the subject, starting with the 2005 consolidated course of action. The United Nations has its own recommendations, as do most international development agencies working within the continent.
Putting ideas into action
Association for the construction of Eduction in Africa Chairman Dzingai Mutumbuka says a lot of these good ideas are never put into action. He hopes this forum could be different.
"The takeaway here's that it's time, it's time, that we as Africans move far from lofty conference resolutions to implementation, implementation, and implementation.â€
In addition to only discussing best practices and policy for science and technology development, the forum hopes to take some concrete actions, including designing possible responses to water, energy and biodiversity needs in Africa.
The forum wraps up Tuesday with a ministerial meeting.
From WhatNewsToday.net
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