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Objectives

OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM

The main objective of the Forum is to generate innovative ideas in order to:

  • Help African countries put their STI policies in action and encourage those who do not yet have an STI policy to develop one;
  • Design policies and programs to implement the AfDB’s and UNESCO’s strategies to support inclusive growth, employment opportunities, and sustainable development in Africa;
  • Create global networks of development innovators and problem solvers
  • Reinforce North-South and South-South collaborations in STI;
  • Strengthen public-private partnerships between governments, industry and technology companies;
  • Establish a knowledge-sharing platform to help network entrepreneurs and innovators in the areas of STI connect and find the information they need to develop and implement their ideas

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Specific objectives include:

  • Taking stock of the implementation of the Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) (taking into account emerging areas and contributions of STI to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG))
  • Building on the experiences and lessons learned with regard to training and education for innovation for inclusive development;
  • Promoting the role of policy measures including financing in promoting innovation and innovation related research;
  • Encouraging the role of research and development in public and private entities in promoting technical innovation;
  • Exploring the role of innovation in the informal sector (including local knowledge) and the possibilities of harnessing its role for the promotion of economic growth;
  • Examining the international migration of science and scientists, and technologies and technicians
  • Designing possible response to the needs in Africa regarding biodiversity, water, energy

EXPECTED RESULTS

  • Operationalising the multi-donor Trust Fund on Higher Education Science and Technology administered by the African Development Bank
  • A publication reporting on the STI Conference
  • A synthesis of best practices in STI across sectors
  • An STI benchmarking tool for Africa
  • Guidelines for mainstreaming STI into national development strategies;
  • Proposals to promote public-private partnerships and A Declaration from the Ministerial Conference