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Sub-Saharan Africa

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International bodies

Displaying 1-11 of 11 links

Consortium on Science, Technology and Innovation for the South (COSTIS) (formerly Third World Network of Scientific Organisations (TWNSO))

An international NGO, TWNSO was founded at the initiative of the Third World Academy of Sciences by ministers of science and technology and higher education and heads of science academies and research councils in developing countries to promote science-based sustainable economic development.

Economic Commission for Africa

The ECA helps African governments develop policies for economic and social development, including enhancing the role of science and technology. It carries out policy research, disseminates information, promotes co-operation and offers policy advice to different stakeholders. It also runs a collaborative policy research network — the ECA Science and Technology Network — promoting the dissemination and exchange of information on science and technology management and policy issues in Africa.

European-Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Programme

Under its Framework Six funding programme, this new European Union initiative aims to translate medical research results into clinical trials in developing countries, particularly in Africa. The first move is to provide 200 million Euros for the development of new medicines and vaccines for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The website contains a general outline of this scheme and limited information on its links with Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.

Millenium Sciences Initiative

MSI strives to create and nurture world-class science and scientific talent in the developing world by fostering innovative research and applications of specific value to the host country or region; educating and training future generations of scientists and engineers; developing linkages with educational and research institutions, the private sector, and the global scientific community. MSI projects have been set up in Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Africa and Vietnam.

New Partnership for Africa’s Development

NEPAD is an economic development programme of the African Union. It aims to eradicate poverty, promote sustainable growth and development, integrate Africa in the world economy and accelerate the empowerment of women. Developing science and technology is a high priority and NEPAD provides policy guidance at continental, regional and national levels.

The NEPAD website, available in English or French, provides news and information on all of NEPAD's activities and hosts a discussion forum that anyone can contribute to.

South–South Initiative for Tropical Diseases Research (SSI)

SSI was set up in 2001 to facilitate sharing of resources among research groups in Africa, Asia and Latin America in order to increase competitiveness and optimise scientific opportunities. It provides assistance for proposal development through annual workshops and helps organise annual training courses on leading-edge technology for tropical disease research application in disease endemic countries.

Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS)

TWOWS is an international forum aimed at uniting eminent women scientists from the South with the objective of strengthening their role in development and in scientific and technological leadership. An independent, non-profit, non-governmental body based at the offices of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World in Italy, its activities include providing fellowships and maintaining an inventory of women scientists in the South.

UN Economic Commission for Africa Science and Technology Network

ESTNET promotes the dissemination and exchange of information on science and technology management and policy in Africa. Its main objective is to raise awareness among policymakers and other stakeholders of the role science and technology plays in African social and economic development. To this end, it presents a catalogue of relevant institutions and funding agencies as well as event listings. It also provides summaries of projects, journals and documents that deal with science and technology in Africa. In addition, policymakers can use ESTNET's database of consultants to search for experts in science and technology for development.

UNDP’s Special Unit for South–South Cooperation (SU/SSC)

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1978 and hosted by the UN Development Programme, the unit’s primary mandate is to promote, coordinate and support South–South cooperation and cooperation with the UN. It focuses on policy dialogue and development, public–private partnership and southern development exchange.

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

ECA assists African governments in developing policies for economic and social development, including enhancing the role of science and technology in African economies. It carries out policy research, disseminates information, promotes co-operation and provides policy advice to different stakeholders in countries of the region. The ECA also runs the ECA Science and Technology Network (ESTNET), a collaborative policy research network promoting the dissemination and exchange of information concerning science and technology management and policy issues in Africa.

World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations Africa Regional Focal Point

The WAITRO-RFP is hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa. Its main objectives are to support regional collaboration in science and technology and strengthen industrial research and technological development. To this end, it provides African governments with policy advice, holds workshops for researchers and scientists in the region and facilitates joint research projects with the developed world.