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Science & innovation policy: Capacity building

Editorials

Here is a list of the latest articles

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Bridging the divide between science and politics

A new study confirms the valuable role of 'intermediary organisations' in bringing scientific and policy-making communities closer together.

29 August 2008 | EN | 中文

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Don't let price rises blow development off course

Commodity price rises are no substitute for long-term investment in infrastructure and capacity as a means of securing sustained development.

8 August 2008 | EN | 中文

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Chronic disease — a neglected priority

Governments and donors must find ways to tackle the rise in non-communicable disease, which can mean reassessing health priorities in developing nations.

23 July 2008 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

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Promises, promises …

More efforts are needed to hold the leaders of the G8 nations to commitments made at their annual summit meetings.

11 July 2008 | EN

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Research collaboration: the case for better understanding

Successful efforts to implement effective South–South research collaboration require a better understanding of what works best and why.

14 May 2008 | EN | ES | 中文

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Reforming the approach to 'demand-driven' research

An evaluation of Dutch-funded research programmes in developing countries raises questions about the concept of local "ownership".

7 March 2008 | EN

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Gates Foundation can't go it alone

Bill and Melinda Gates' forays into aid are to be welcomed, but they can only succeed alongside government involvement.

7 February 2008 | EN | FR

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Can Japan take the 'science for development' baton?

As this year's president of the G8, Japan has an opportunity to boost international support for science and technology in development.

18 January 2008 | EN

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Now it's up to Africa

Delay in the implementation of Africa's plan of action for science and technology suggests commitment to act does not yet go deep enough.

29 November 2007 | EN | FR

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Turning the brain drain from threat to opportunity

Europe's recent bid to attract more skilled workers underlines developing countries' need for greater – not less – investment in their intellectual capital.

2 November 2007 | EN | ES | FR

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Equipping universities to join the war against poverty

Universities in developing countries should ditch the 'ivory tower' legacy of colonialism and enhance their links with the world outside.

28 September 2007 | EN | ES

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Africa needs better data to combat global warming

Effective adaptation strategies will require reliable scientific data both on the nature of climate change and on its potential impact.

1 August 2007 | EN

Nigeria's president-elect, Umaru Yar'Adua

Science needs effective democracy to thrive

Last month's presidential elections in Nigeria have cast a shadow over the country's efforts to promote science and technology.

2 May 2007 | EN

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Biofuel: a new opportunity for science collaboration?

The interest in Brazil's ethanol programme should be used to set up fairer partnerships between developing and developed countries.

3 April 2007 | EN | ES

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Investing in science: a cautionary tale

A growing consensus on the need for more science and technology in development policies must not be allowed to create excessive expectations.

22 February 2007 | EN

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Africa's scientific revolution must start at the roots

If Africa is to build a sustainable science and technology infrastructure, it needs more than just enthusiastic promises from heads of state.

1 February 2007 | EN

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Hard choices in Africa's bid for scientific excellence

Disagreement on how to create collaborative centres of excellence in Africa could weaken the continent's efforts for scientific revival.

14 December 2006 | EN

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Where do scientists fit into Africa's science plans?

Defining an appropriate policy-making role for Africa's scientific community requires a careful balance between 'science push' and 'demand pull'.

25 October 2006 | EN

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Funding African science – an invitation for ideas

Building an effective and accountable way to fund science and technology across Africa is a major challenge facing the region’s leaders and scientific communities. You are invited to join the debate.

5 September 2006 | EN

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Should developing nations embrace nuclear energy?

A combination of factors appears to be pushing the risk-benefit balance back into nuclear's favour as an energy option for developing countries. SciDev.Net readers are invited to comment.

21 July 2006 | EN | ES