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Science & Innovation Policy: R&D

Editorials

Here is a list of the latest articles

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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 | ??

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Time to turn words into deeds on health research

African ministers have committed themselves to a set of actions to boost health research in their countries. Now they must implement them.

27 June 2008 | EN | FR

southsouth2cropped_US National Oceanic and Atmopsheric Administration

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 | ??

Kenyan demonstrator

Science for development needs stable base in 2008

Developing countries need economic stability and social inclusion to develop — both of which are in jeopardy in Kenya and Pakistan as 2008 dawns.

3 January 2008 | EN

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Biofuels: Let's look before we leap

A commitment to biofuels should be based on a careful assessment of their prospective benefits and costs, not a blind leap of faith.

6 December 2007 | EN | ES | FR

african scientist in the lab

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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China needs to encourage 'bottom-up' innovation

China's efforts to build an innovation-based economy require a less hierarchical approach to organising its research system.

12 October 2007 | EN | ??

G8 meeting in 2001

G8 needs more 'joined-up' thinking on science

At its global summit next week the G8 needs to build on the work of its predecessors, putting science and technology back at the heart of the international aid agenda.

1 June 2007 | EN | ES

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

Sugar Cane closeup

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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Technology transfer for the poor

Developing countries must adopt effective policies on technology transfer that meet the needs of all social classes, including the poorest.

16 January 2007 | EN

Scientist at a research centre in Bel Air, Senegal

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

brazilian scientist in the lab

Brazil's innovation law: lessons for Latin America

Innovation is now widely acknowledged as an essential tool for development. Other nations would do well to learn from the political challenges that Brazil's new legislation has unearthed.

3 August 2006 | EN | ES

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African science: now is the time to deliver

Next January, the heads of member states of the African Union will meet to discuss science and technology in what will be a unique opportunity to support the continent's scientific renaissance.

16 June 2006 | EN

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Access to drugs: a suitable case for treatment

Increasing access to affordable drugs in developing countries requires better government intervention, not less of it.

5 April 2006 | EN