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Policy Seminar -- Modern Biotechnology in Africa Economies
(Calestous Juma, 1993 Laureate)
Modern Biotechnology in Africa Economies
Promoting Regional Economic Integration and Trade
by
Calestous Juma
Professor of the Practice of International Development
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Thursday, 11 May 2006
3:30 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m.
Abstract
Technological innovation has often been viewed as a negative force
in Africa's development narratives. This image is starting to change
as awareness on the role of innovation in economic growth continues
to rise. The writing of a new African narrative is reflected in
the decision of the African Union and the New Economic Partnership
for Africa's Development
(NEPAD) to establish a High-Level Expert Panel on Modern Biotechnology
that will report to a presidential summit of the African Union in
January 2007 on science, technology and research. The panel's preliminary
findings focus on strategic options for creating and building regional
technology innovation communities and hubs. More specifically, the
panel: (a) stresses the role of technology in general and modern
biotechnology in particular in
regional economic integration and trade; (b) identifies priority
areas in modern biotechnology of relevance to African development;
(c) outlines critical capabilities needed for the development and
safe use of modern biotechnology; (d) proposes measures for the
harmonization of regulations needed to provide a supportive environment
for the safe application of modern biotechnology; and (e) offers
options for promoting international technology cooperation.
Calestous Juma (Kenya) is Professor of the Practice of International
Development and Director of the Science, Technology and Globalisation
Project at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Professor
Juma's work focuses on policy research on the applications of science
and technology to sustainable development. He is a Foreign Associate
of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and is a Fellow of
the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), the World
Academy of Arts and
Sciences and the New York Academy of Sciences. He coordinated the
Task Force on Science, Technology and Innovation of the UN Millennium
Project commissioned by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and co-chairs
the High-Level African Panel on Modern Biotechnology of the African
Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development. He has served
on several committees of NAS dealing with agriculture and natural
resources,
geographical information sciences, genetic resources and science
advice. He is a former Executive Secretary of the UN Convention
on Biological Diversity, founding Executive Director of the African
Centre for Technology Studies in Nairobi and former Chancellor of
the University of Guyana. He has won several international awards
for his work on science, technology and sustainable development.
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Seminars & Conferences
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