Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Thank you for inviting me to talk to you this evening. A warm South African welcome to you all.
South Africa’s association with the International Council for Science (ICSU), the mother body of Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) goes back a long way. South Africa is a founder member of the ICSU. Our membership is currently managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF), which I must say has represented our country very well.
An African Regional Office of the ICSU was launched in Pretoria in September 2005. It established a Secretariat for Africa, managed by scientists from various parts of the African continent, and several research projects and events have been undertaken in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Academy of Sciences of the Developing World, and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
The theme of this conference is “scientific data and sustainable development”. I’m sure that there are some difficult questions that you are going to ask and struggle to answer.
There are four critical issues I would like to raise in regard to your theme.
First, a number of studies have revealed that, in many parts of the developing world, poverty is exacerbated by information poverty. In poor or deprived communities access to information is limited or non-existent.
This clearly impairs the ability of those living in poor communities to make informed decisions. The South African Government is pioneering targeted initiatives in response.
For example, the Innovation for Poverty Alleviation programme will pilot and establish rural broadband connectivity using wireless mesh network technology.
The wireless mesh network project is in part a response to one of the government’s key strategic priorities, rural development. It will focus on health research, including programmes for tuberculosis, malaria and microbicides, as well as telemedicine initiatives.
The tough question we must respond to is: how can we utilise our intellectual resources to ‘teach’ those most vulnerable and marginalised the rules of access to science and technology. What must be done is to move beyond good science to concrete action to improve lives.
Second, access to scientific data and knowledge is closely related to the issue of intellectual property rights. For example, exciting advances in the field of biotechnology have exposed some communities to intellectual exploitation. This is particularly true for rural communities with low literacy levels and limited access to legal assistance.
For example and this is a good news story for hundreds of years, indigenous South Africans (San people) have chewed a plant which reduces stress, relieves hunger, and elevates mood (makes you high). Earlier this month South African researchers obtained the first license to study and market the plant. No it’s not weed. Something similar and more medicinal. It has no side effects and is not addictive. It’s called kanna (sceletium tortuosum).
The San community will benefit from their indigenous knowledge about this plant. And the pharmaceutical company that produces and markets the product will as well. Both will benefit. That is as it should be. So, as we promote the global exchange of knowledge and information, we take seriously traditional and indigenous forms of knowledge.
Third, the setting up of international knowledge networks along interdisciplinary lines is crucial, both to enhance the quality of research and its applications, and also to address relevant socio-economic issues. This approach has informed many of my department’s strategic initiatives. In fact, as you will know from your own countries it is the remit of science councils to conduct interdisciplinary work that is often difficult to manage at universities.
Our science and technology missions are interdisciplinary. I think of one immediate challenge in particular winning the bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope.
All of our current grand challenges are interdisciplinary: bioeconomy, space science, energy security, global change, human and social science for development.
Fourth and last, governments and various scientific bodies have to make a timely investment in cutting-edge information and communications infrastructure required for the storage, management and dissemination of scientific data.
To address the challenges that face humanity today effectively, governments and scientific bodies have to challenge the way they think about knowledge production, acquisition and application. Their role is not only limited to making the scientific knowledge and information accessible.
In addition, bodies like the ICSU play a critical role in expanding the effective use of science in policy making.
Scientists and policy makers should use scientific data to make better policy – in what is beginning to be called the ‘science of science policy’.
Recently, the National Science Foundation started a programme called the “science of science and innovation policy” (SciSIP). Last month this programme came under the eagle eye of the US Congress’ Research and Science Education Subcommittee where the Chair began proceedings with these words:
“As someone who was trained as an engineer and a social scientist, I believe we need data and proper analysis of this data to be able to determine as best we can, the optimal policy to implement.
While many of us would agree that science has had a positive impact on our lives, I think we actually know very little about how the process of innovation works. What kinds of research programs or institutional structures are most effective? How do investments in research and development (R&D) translate to more jobs, improved health, and overall societal wellbeing? How should we balance investments in basic and applied research? With millions of Americans out of work, it becomes more critical than ever that we find answers to these questions. With millions of South Africans out of work, we also need to find answers to these questions.
In conclusion, I pledge South Africa’s continued support and commitment to the programmes, objectives and vision of the International Council for Science and CODATA.
I now declare this 22nd General Assembly of CODATA open.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 843 6802
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: lunga.ngqengelele@gmail.com
