African Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Initiative
As part of UNESCO’s contribution to the African Union’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action, UNESCO’s General Conference approved the launch of an African Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Initiative (ASTIPI) in October 2007.
The aim of ASTIPI is to develop national science, technology and innovation (STI) policies for all those African countries still without one. As in the past, UNESCO is working with African countries to reform their science systems, assist them in policy formulation, facilitate the adoption of national policies and accompany them in elaborating and implementing strategies and programmes.
In cooperation with the other United Nations belonging to the S&T cluster in support of the AU CPA implementation, UNESCO is mobilizing the necessary expertise, providing initial funding and, in consultation with the African Union, mobilizing extrabudgetary resources to implement a capacity-building programme.
Expected results
- Greater capacity for policy analysis in Africa, with up to 100 specialists trained between 2008 and 2011.
- Design and implementation of an African Science, Technology and Innovation Post-Graduate Course.
- Short-term executive workshops organized for senior government officials;
- Creation of an African e-Library of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy;
- Development and sharing of policies and practices for Small Island Developing States in the African region.
In 2008, a number of countries formally requested UNESCO’s assistance with science policy reviews. Consequently, reviews are planned in the following countries: Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Swaziland,Togo, Zimbabwe and Zambia. For examples of UNESCO’s past and current work in assisting countries with national policy formulation, consult the Country Studies.
Read about the three thrusts of the African Science, Technology and Innovation policy Initiative:
- Assessment of the status of science and technology policy formulation
- Development of common African STI indicators
- Creation of a pilot science park
Useful links
Report by the Director-General of UNESCO to the Executive Board proposing the African Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Initiative
(document EX 177/16) (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish)
Brochure on UNESCO's African Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Initiative (2009)