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Key Documents archive results 1-16 of 16 in Science & Innovation Policy and Science policy
Climate change: A call to action for African leaders
This policy brief, prepared by the Africa Progress Panel, African Development Bank and UN, outlines the implications of climate change for Africa, emphasising the need for a strong and cohesive negotiating position at the December 2009 climate talks in Copenhagen. The authors argue that African...
KEY DOCUMENT | EN
Tech transfer in the TRIPS age
This policy paper, published by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), addresses technology transfer issues in developing countries and considers current intellectual property rights. The author makes practical recommendations to least developed countries (LDCs)...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: May 2009 | EN
Malaria and its vectors in the Caribbean: The continuing challenge of the disease forty-five years after eradication from the islands
This journal article, written by three researchers in Trinidad and Tobago, looks at malaria in the Caribbean. It asks why there are still outbreaks -- including a big one in Jamaica in 2006/2007 -- when the disease was allegedly eliminated in the late 1950s. The authors review malaria and vector...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: November 2008 | EN
African higher education development and the international community
This paper from the Association of Commonwealth Universities outlines the commitments and activities made by major international partners -- specifically the G8 countries -- to developing African higher education between 2000 and 2004. Projects are analysed by topic -- from human resources...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: June 2005 | EN
Is Bayh-Dole good for developing countries? Lessons from the US experience
This article examines the US Bayh-Dole (BD) Act -- a 1980s measure that sought to stimulate science-based economic growth by encouraging universities to patent inventions resulting from government-funded research -- and assesses its suitability for developing countries. The authors look at how...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: October 2008 | EN
Cancer control: knowledge into action
In 2005, the World Health Assembly called on WHO member states to tackle their growing rates of cancer by developing rigorous cancer control programmes. To help guide the process, the WHO developed a series of six modules that provide practical advice for programme managers and policy-makers on how...
KEY DOCUMENT | EN
The challenge of cancer control in Africa
Worldwide, cancer kills more people than HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB put together. In developing countries where chronic diseases are now growing alongside infectious diseases, new strategies need to be developed. This article outlines how to develop an effective cancer strategy in African...
KEY DOCUMENT | EN
Grand challenges in chronic non-communicable diseases
In 2003, the Gates foundation infused new vigour into global health efforts by declaring that the 21st century's "grand challenges" included developing new vaccines and overcoming drug resistance. This new grand challenges initiative, launched by a collaboration of top global chronic disease...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: November 2007 | EN
Lancet chronic disease series
This series of five articles outlines new challenges and unsolved problems since the journal's last series in 2005. The first articlehttp://www.scidev.net/uploads/File/pdffiles/Lancet_series1.pdf ([189kB]) predicts the disease burden and economic losses that developing countries would face from...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: December 2007 | EN
Converting Policy Research into Policy Decisions: The Role of Communication and the Media
Research can only contribute to the progress of humanity once it is effectively communicated to policymakers so that it can influence decisions and actions. This article explores the link between research and decision-making systems, and suggests strategies for more effective communication. The...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: 2005 | EN
R&D Systems in Arab States: Development of S&T Indicators
This study was prepared for the UNESCO Cairo Office. The key objective was to collect a wide array of data and statistics on R&D systems across the Arab states. The study was motivated by the attempts of several Arab countries to balance the need to invest in R&D systems with their rapidly...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: 1998 | EN
Science and Technology Development Indicators in the Arab Region: A Comparative Study of Gulf and Mediterranean Arab Countries
This paper is based on the premise that all countries, especially under-developed ones, need to invest in science and technology (S&T). It describes and compares Arab countries in the Gulf and Mediterranean regions with others around the world and finds that that neither the Gulf nor the...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: August 2005 | EN
Achievements of Arab Countries that Participated in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2003)
This study outlines the findings of the 2003 TIMSS for the participating Arab countries, namely, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian National Authority, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Tunisia. TIMSS is a study of cross-national achievement in mathematics and sciences for fourth and...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: 2003 | EN
Towards the establishment of a vibrant South African biotechnology industry: will the recent policy interventions achieve their objectives?
This research article, by Rosemary Wolson at the University of Cape Town, assesses South Africa's biotechnology policies, reviewing three major initiatives -- the national research and development strategy, biotechnology strategy and proposed laws to govern intellectual property rights derived from...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: 2005 | EN
Freedom to innovate: biotechnology in Africa's development
This draft report of the High-Level African Panel on Modern Biotechnology recommends that African governments prioritise biotechnology as a tool to promote development and integration. The panel advises African leaders on developments in biotechnology, capacity building needs, and measures for...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: July 2006 | EN
Major heretofore intractable biotic constraints to African food security that may be amenable to novel biotechnological solutions
This research article assesses the potential for biotechnological approaches to overcome major pests, diseases and weeds undermining food security in Africa. The eight authors review three major constraints -- parasitic weeds and herbicide-resistant grasses, insect pests, including those carrying...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: 2004 | EN
