CTA and S,T&I : Engaging ACP Young Professionals

Judith Ann FrancisSenior Programme Coordinator S &T Policy, CTA, The Netherlands

CTA and S,T&I - at a GlanceLaunched in 2003

Objective – To support the ACP region in their efforts to harness science, technology and innovation (ST&I) for enhanced agricultural performance, sustainable rural development and socio-economic development

Purpose - ACP researchers, academics and civil society mobilized and empowered and influencing ST&I policy and decision-making processes and related programme implementation in support of agricultural and rural development

Approach - Partnerships with key ACP / EU organizations, scientists, women and young professionals and facilitating their continuous engagement through face to face expert consultations, training workshops and greater integration of ICTs

Focus on young professionals (18-35) in 2004

CTA and S,T&I - at a Glance3 Strategic Focal Points

Facilitating the ST&I policy dialogue for ARD – national, regional, ACP and ACP-EU

Information and communication management – dedicated ST&I web portal http://knowledge.cta.int/

Capacity building for enhancing participation in and for informing ST&I policy processes

S&T Youth activities – competitions, regional workshops, training, publications, networking support (AYFST & PAEPARD)

Why Young Professionals?Transformational change needed

ACP region is facing a knowledge and skills gap – ageing researchers, academicians, technocrats etc

Continued underinvestment in science / research - < 1% GDP invested

Highest ranking ACP university in the world – 336th (University of Cape Town). UWI – 784th and UNPG – 9803th

Empowerment a priority & a necessity

Why Young Professionals?Global challenges = Interconnected solutions

New competencies needed - rapid advances in science and technology e.g. biotechnology, nanotechnology, ICTs

Research needed to monitor changes, develop new products, improve systems, understand issues, provide evidence for policy etc e.g. Climate change

Innovation needed in all spheres – policy, product, processes, finance, markets e.g. Green economic growth

Interconnected thinking, inter-disciplinary approaches, science–policy-society

Innovation – more than S&T An Interactive process

Learning Competition, Failures, Opportunities,

Threats

Creating, using and exploiting ideas, knowledge (scientific & traditional), technologies & markets

Resources Products, Services, Jobs

Multifaceted - Complex and dynamic

CTA ST&I and Young ProfessionalsCapacity Building Focus

Competitions (essays, scientific/research papers, videos)

Scientific Writing & Editing Policy advocacy Communication Production of films/videos Publications Networking opportunities Mentorship, self-mobilization

Giving Young professionals a Voice – Raising their profile

CTA ST&I and Young ProfessionalsSome Feedback

Raised standard of articles – additional publications Developed skills – inter-personal, networking,

communication, research methods} Professional growth Funding opportunities – PhD study, research funds

“I have become a mentor to young scientists and have been able to source funding to the tune of US $1,500,000”, Ayuk Tambe,

IRAD Cameroon

CTA - Empowering Young professionals

Some feedback :Africa-wide Science CompetitionsAnswer Options 1(strongly disagree)

2 3 4 5(strongly agree) Response Count

To improve the quality and relevance of your research

0 6 5 4 21 36

To have your work published

2 2 6 13 14 37

To increase recognition of the potential of your research activities to agricultural and rural development

1 0 4 6 28 39

To have an opportunity to influence agricultural science and research policy processes

1 0 4 15 18 38

To have an opportunity to set the agendas for agricultural research and development.

1 0 7 13 15 36

To network 0 1 7 8 21 37To solicit or advocate for increased investment/funding for research

5 3 4 11 20 38

To travel to another country for the first time

20 6 3 7 2 34

To win the prize 6 0 5 8 17 37

Reasons for Participation

Nkobou, 2012. CTA Report

Some Feedback: Africa-wide Science Competitions

Professional development

Nkobou, 2012. CTA Report

ConclusionWe need new approaches to address the complex challenges confronting society & the agricultural and rural sectors -

Enhance the ST&I policy & institutional frameworkImprove university and S&T infrastructureIncrease research outputsDevelop human resource baseShare information, knowledge & experience Promote best practice & learning Encourage enquiry, creativity, innovation and foresightInvest in young professionals – empower them – give them voice