Science, Technology and innovation (STI) are considered the key cogs in the engine of sustainable socio-economic development. And for developing counties - especially in Africa – to fast-track and sustain industrialization - and accelerate socio-economic progress - more attention and resources must be devoted to these key areas.
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With the rising need for economic and social transformation, countries world over seek to increase investments in and expansion of their respective STI sectors, which is a vital cog in driving national competitiveness and improving social welfare through innovations. Stretching from product, process and social innovations to transformation of the national infrastructure, developing countries are increasingly building their capacities in the sector with a view to transform their economies and enhance social wellbeing for their citizens.
In respect of the above, the late Prof. Calestous Juma, a world renowned scientist and advocate of STI, strongly believed in the power of leveraging STI to transform national economies and accelerate social progress. His work focused on analysing how knowledge and innovation could be harnessed for development in the context of institutional change in socio-economic systems. His initiatives promoted this agenda through advanced STI policy research, especially biotechnology; provision of high-level science and technology advice; and promotion of the conservation of biological diversity.
For this reason, and to keep alight his dream, an online seminar series in honour of his stellar achievements in this sector is set to be launched on 12th August 2021. The inaugural seminar, under the banner ‘Re-igniting Africa industrialization through inclusive knowledge and innovation’ will bring together global STI experts, academicians and practitioners (see profile of speakers through this link).
The lectures are intended to open to a wide range of stakeholders including (i) policy makers from the countries in the region and the experts from the Continent’s regional economic communities in Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) with the responsibility of formulating and implementing relevant innovation and other industrial policies for sustainable and inclusive industrialization; key stakeholders with the responsibility of STI; and representatives from the universities, the industry, Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and other sectors of the civil society (CBOs) involved in innovation and development matters.
The seminar series will be coordinated by the Calestous Juma Legacy Foundation (CJLF) and the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS). CJLF was founded in 2019 to foster policies, programs and projects to develop and utilize technological innovation in education, public health, and in advancing the application of science and technology in economic transformation and sustainable development, particularly in Kenya, Africa, and developing countries. The initial focus of the Foundation’s work will be on Calestous Juma’s hometown of Port Victoria, Bunyala District, Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Prof Juma (1953-2017) was an internationally recognised authority in the application of science and technology for sustainable development. At the time of his demise, he was serving as a Professor of the Practice of International Development and Director of the Science, Technology and Globalization Project, at the Harvard Kennedy School, USA. He was also the Director of the School’s Agricultural Innovation in Africa and a member of many global and African initiatives. He was the co-chair of the High-Level Panel of Prominent African and Diaspora Scientists that developed the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024).
Prof Juma was the pioneer head of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and an advisor to many governments, the AU, COMESA and SADC. His publications and technical advice resulted in elaboration of policies on biodiversity; climate change; science, technology and innovation (STI); as well as the establishment of a number of relevant national institutions in Africa. Upon his death, all his tributes, which came from all over the world, (including global leaders, UN bodies, development practitioners, regional blocs, heads of institutions, scholars, researchers, colleagues and students), emphasized the need to honour his legacy.
He founded ACTS in 1988 where his initial developmental ideas were nurtured. The organization has become a leading Intergovernmental STI policy Think Tank whose mission is to strengthen the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness STI for sustainable development. The lecture series are intended to keep his dream alive by creating a platform that elicits discussion around knowledge and innovation for development. These lecture series will be held once every three months and will culminate to ACTS-CJLF conference in early 2022.
These lecture series will be held once every three months and will culminate to ACTS-CJLF conference in early 2022. The lectures will be held on 12th and 13th August 2021. To register for the lecture series follow this link: https://www.acts-net.org/cj-lecture-series
