The momentum following the launch of the SDCfA initiative in July 2022 was unexpected and gratifying. It highlighted the necessary impetus for the next two years of the initiative’s three-year development phase.
In December 2022 during the World Science Forum in Cape Town, members of the SDCfA Working Group met with local roleplayers to lay the foundation for partnering that includes Science Diplomacy training and recognition. Meetings were also held with the Barcelona SciTech DiploHub and with the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA).
The next steps are to establish related partnerships towards ‘The Africa we want’. Doing so will contribute to the SDCfA adding value to the Societal Grand Challenges of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, Education for the Future, the Future of Society, and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This column will be a regular feature in the SDCfA Newsletters. Since September 2022 Bathabile Ramalapa and Puleng Tsie have joined Simòhn Engelbrecht as SDCfA Brand Ambassadors. Bathabile is a Senior Researcher within the CSIR. Puleng manages the SCI-ENZA Science Centre at the University of Pretoria. Read more about them and the value they add to the SDCfA. Their role embodies knowledge sharing especially in the context of Science Diplomacy and the advocacy thereof.
Diplomacy can be described as one of the main instruments of foreign policy which represents the broader goals and strategies that guide how states interact with each other.
Within science diplomacy for Africa, there are two roles that are critical. On the one hand the role that the policies in science co-operation in Africa plays on the work we do as researchers and innovators. On the other the role that we play as researchers in ensuring that there is action in the science that we do that aims to advance international relations between African countries.
In my role as a young researcher and an ambassador for SDCfA, I aim to advocate and promote diplomacy in science that focuses on research collaboration between young African researchers.
Doing so will include encouraging collective efforts within the continent to allocate resources to research and innovation that focuses on developing solutions to challenges that impact the continent.
I see the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa as a space to initiate and facilitate deep conversations, rigorous negotiations, mutually beneficial collaborations and relationships, and ethical and strategic decisions.
A space that fosters decisions that are a response to local voices and challenges within the global perspective.
The value of my contribution comes from over a decade of working in the science communication and science education fields. The experience has given me an understanding of the value of citizen voices in science policy and decision making which also speak to community-based research that serves the community welfare and encourages community participation.
I’m excited and encouraged by the platform that the SDCfA is creating for the continent!
Science Diplomacy in Africa plays a crucial role in fostering international cooperation in scientific research, and innovation and technological development.
As SDCfA Brand Ambassadors we can contribute to opportunities that facilitate the strengthening of partnerships between African nations and the global scientific community.
Our day-to-day environments provide us with evidence-based knowledge sharing that can encourage support in regional integration and cooperation in science and technology towards strengthening the value of science diplomacy.
My recent exposure to a sequence of events in promoting the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa has highlighted what has been achieved to date – coupled with the reminder of the work that still lies ahead.
The World Science Forum is considered among the most significant scientific gatherings worldwide.
Hosting the event by South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation from 6-9 December 2022 in Cape Town – under the theme ‘Science for Social Justice’, was a first for our Continent.
The platform provided the opportunity for the SDCfA to promote Science Diplomacy for Social Justice in collaboration with the Barcelona SciTech DiploHub and the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA).
Moderated by Prof. Himla Soodyall Executive Officer of the Academy of Science of South Africa, the session included ‘An African perspective on Science Diplomacy’ by Prof. Felix Dapare Dakora. President of the African Academy of Sciences, and ‘Supranational Coordination of Science Diplomacy’ by Dr Jan Marco Müller Coordinator for Science Diplomacy and Multilateral Relations European Commission.
Alexis Roig and Dr Marga Gual Soler, respectively of the SciTech DiploHub and GESDA, presented perspectives on Science Diplomacy in the context of ‘City City-led Science Diplomacy’, ‘Anticipating the Future, and Curriculum.
In November 2022 the European Commission and the African Union Commission hosted the AU-EU Innovation Agenda Stakeholder event in Nairobi, Kenya.
The event provided the forum to present and discuss findings on the public consultation of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda which took place earlier in 2022.
Feedback and input received during the event will contribute to the preparation of the final version of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, and the 2023 AU-EU Ministerial meeting on Science Technology and Innovation.
Priority areas included Public Health, Green Transition, Capacities for Science, Innovation and Technology.
2023
The Manifesto event will take place in the coming months. Events for the remainder of 2023 will be announced in the next issue of this Newsletter. Be sure to join us to be included on the mailing list and follow us on social media.
FEBRUARY 2023
Future Africa Institute – Addressing science diaspora in tackling challenges
DECEMBER 2022
World Science Forum – SDCfA session on Science Diplomacy for Social Justice
NOVEMBER 2022
8th Biennial Conference – SDCfA session on Science Diplomacy for a capable state
SEPTEMBER 2022
Science Educators Workshop with the Australian High Commission
AUGUST 2022
5th BIO Africa Convention – SDCfA session on Science Diplomacy for Africa we are stronger together
JULY 2022
Launch of the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa initiative
This issue: the SDCfA Brand Ambassadors Voices, and Simòhn Engelbrecht (The Continent and Global Platforms).
Future issues: your contribution/s will be welcome – please send related articles and/or topics that you would like to see in future issues to info@africasciencediplomacy.org