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<P><A href="http://www.saasta.ac.za/2ndascc"
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<TD class=linkshead>QUICK LINKS: </TD></TR>
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<TD><A class=aside href="#intro">INTRODUCTION</A></TD></TR>
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<TD><A class=aside href="#backgr">BACKGROUND</A> </TD></TR>
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<TD><A class=aside href="#objectives">Conference
objectives</A> </TD></TR>
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<TD><A class=aside href="#committee">Conference committee
members</A></TD></TR>
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<TD><A class=aside href="#contact">Contact details</A> </TD></TR>
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<P><SPAN class=head>2<SUP>ND</SUP> AFRICAN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
CONFERENCE</SPAN><BR><SPAN class=linkshead>SHAPING AFRICA'S
FUTURE</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=smallhdorange>18-21 February 2009</SPAN><BR><SPAN
class=smallhdblack>Gauteng</SPAN> </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>Science Communication's contribution to
Science, Technology and Innovation, and the development of democracy
in Africa.<BR><BR></P>
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<P class=head>INTRODUCTION </P>
<P class=bodytext>As Africans, we need to define our destiny and
change our mindset with respect to science, engineering and
technology, as well as research. For the success of our continent
and its people, it is imperative that significant investment in the
popularisation and public understanding <BR>of Science and
Technology development is made. It was this realisation that lead to
the development of Africa 's Science and Technology Consolidated
Plan of Action (August 2005). </P>
<P class=bodytext>The specific objectives of this consolidated plan
are to strengthen the African flagship <BR>research and development
clusters. These include: </P>
<P class=bodytext>• Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Indigenous
Knowledge;<BR>• Energy, Water and Desertification;<BR>•
Materials Sciences, Manufacturing, Laser and Post Harvest
Technologies;<BR>• Information, Communication and Space
Science Technologies;<BR>• Improving Policy Conditions and
Building Innovation Mechanisms; and<BR>• Implementation,
Funding and Governance. </P>
<P class=bodytext>With these flagship R&D clusters in mind, the
objectives of the consolidated plan includes: </P>
<P class=bodytext>• Build African scientific and technological
capacity by increasing the number of scientists, technicians and
engineers;<BR>• Ensure that regional economic communities
mainstream science and technology for socio-economic development and
competitiveness;<BR>• Promote innovative ways and means of
financing science and technology in Africa;<BR>• Support the
development and harmonisation of science and technology policies on
the continent; and<BR>• Promote Research and Development to
achieve specific Millennium Development Goals. </P>
<P><SPAN class=bodytext>The African Union realised that key to
achieving these objectives, is the participation and <BR>support of
the populace and their political Institutions. If the African public
and politicians can speak about the benefits of science, not only
will the investment in Africa improve but the <BR>public opinion on
matters of science and technology will be enhanced. Given the
continent's science, technology and innovation needs and challenges,
SAASTA will be hosting its 2nd African Science Communication
Conference bringing together individuals across the various sectors
in realising Science Communication's role in driving economic growth
and long term sustainable development.</SPAN> </P>
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<P class=head>BACKGROUND </P>
<P class=bodytext>The South African Agency for Science and
Technology Advancements (SAASTA, is a <BR>business unit of the
National Research Foundation (NRF)). SAASTA is to take a leadership
<BR>position in promoting broad public awareness, appreciation and
understanding of science, <BR>engineering and technology in South
Africa.</P>
<P class=bodytext>In December 2006, the SAASTA hosted the first
African Science Communication Conference <BR>focusing specifically
on the need to develop the field of Science Communication and
establish collaborative networks on the African continent engaging
academics, universities, the public, <BR>science centres and private
research centres, as well as industry, the media, the education
<BR>field and professional practitioners.</P>
<P class=bodytext>Communicators, ICT specialists, science centres,
educators, discipline specific researchers and science
communicators, and many more found a platform for promoting science
communication. <BR>The delegates represented 20 countries from
around the world and from more than 17 different <BR>fields. Of the
149 delegates who attended the conference, the majority rated the
overall value<BR>of the first ASCC and the experience as excellent
and highly commendable.</P>
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<TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff><A id=objectives name=objectives></A>
<P class=head>CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES</P>
<P class=bodytext>The conference objectives are to: </P>
<UL>
<LI class=bodytext>Mobilise experts, civic groups and
policy-makers to investigate how Science Communication can be used
as a pillar for the democratisation of science in Africa.
<LI class=bodytext>Showcase international benchmark activities
where Science Communication is used to
<UL>
<LI class=bodytext>link industry with academia, science and
technology institutes and <BR>R&D activities;
<LI class=bodytext>link science and policy in order to
strengthen the decision making process </LI></UL>
<LI class=bodytext>Consider strategies where Science Communication
can assist in strengthening the continent's human skills base by
supporting initiatives such as The African Science Academy
Development Initiative, and ensuring that more Women enter SET.
<LI class=bodytext>Identify the role Science Communication can
play in facilitating inter- and trans-disciplinary research and
entrepreneurial activities.
<LI class=bodytext>Advance Science Communication in order to build
a strong political and civil society constituency for science and
technology in Africa. </LI></UL>
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<TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff><A id=committee name=committee></A>
<P class=head>CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS </P>
<P class=bodytext><STRONG>Ms. Beverley Damonse - </STRONG>SAASTA
Executive Director<EM>(South Africa) </EM></P>
<P class=bodytext><STRONG>Mr. Diran Onifade - </STRONG>health and
environment science reporter on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Vice president of the World Federation of Science Journalism
(WFSJ)<EM>(Nigeria) </EM></P>
<P class=bodytext><STRONG>Prof. Sospeter Muhongo -
</STRONG>Executive Director ICSU Africa Regional Office
<EM>(Tanzania) </EM></P>
<P class=bodytext><STRONG>Mr. Andrea Bandelli - </STRONG>Coordinator
of the 1st ASCC programme <EM>(Europe) </EM></P>
<P class=bodytext><STRONG>Prof. Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan -
</STRONG>Palaeobiologist at the University of Cape Town
(UCT)<BR><EM>(South Africa) </EM></P>
<P><SPAN class=bodytext><STRONG>Mr. Lorenzo Raynard -
</STRONG>Manager, Science Communications Unit<EM>
(SAASTA)</EM></SPAN></P>
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<TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff><A id=contact name=contact></A>
<P class=head>CONTACT DETAILS</P>
<P class=bodytext>Enquiries can be sent to:<BR><STRONG>Ms Maphefo
Chauke, Project Officer</STRONG> </P>
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<TD class=bodytext width=120><STRONG>Email address:
</STRONG></TD>
<TD width=180><A class=abody
href="mailto:maphefo.chauke@saasta.ac.za">maphefo.chauke@saasta.ac.za
</A></TD></TR>
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<TD class=bodytext><STRONG>Telephone number:</STRONG></TD>
<TD class=bodytext>+27 12 392 9300 </TD></TR>
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<TD class=bodytext><STRONG>Facsimile number: </STRONG></TD>
<TD class=bodytext>+27 12 320 7803 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
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<TD class=bodytext width=110><STRONG>Physical
address:</STRONG> </TD>
<TD class=bodytext width=103>Didacta Building </TD>
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<TD class=bodytext width=96><STRONG>Postal address:
</STRONG></TD>
<TD class=bodytext width=106>P.O. Box 1758 </TD></TR>
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<TD> </TD>
<TD class=bodytext>211 Skinner Street </TD>
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<TD class=bodytext>Pretoria Central </TD></TR>
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<TD class=bodytext>0002</TD>
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<TD class=bodytext vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>For more information,
please visit the <A class=abody
href="http://www.saasta.ac.za/2ndascc" target=_blank>2<SUP>nd</SUP>
ASCC page</A> at saasta.ac.za </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR>
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