Research in Diverse Social Contexts: Tensions, Dynamics and Challenges
	Paris, 19-21 March 2009
	- FINAL REPORT

*AGENDA* Thursday, 19 March 2009 14h30 – 14h45 REGISTRATION in Room VIII 14h45 – 15h WELCOME • Prof. Georges Haddad , Director, UNESCO Division of Higher Education 15h – 15h30 GLOBAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS Research in Diverse Social Contexts: Tensions, Dynamics and Challenges • Nico Stehr , Zeppelin University, Germany * Contribution: “Research in Diverse Social Contexts” 15h30 – 16h VIEWPOINTS • Albert Sasson , founding member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Morocco/France * Contribution: “Introductory viewpoint. Why Asia is heavily investing in research and development?” • Edmundo Torres Godoy , Universidad Autónoma de Managua, Nicaragua * Contribution: “Tensions and Challenges for Research in Middle and Low Income Countries: A viewpoint” • Chair: Stamenka Uvalic–Trumbic , Chief, Section of Policy, Reform and Quality Assurance Division of Higher Education, UNESCO 16h30 – 17h PRESENTATION The Template proposed by the UNESCO Forum Special Initiative project Mapping Research Systems, notably Indicator 10: Tensions, Dynamics and Challenges • Roland Waast , Institut pour la Recherche sur le Développement (IRD), France * Contribution: “Tensions, Issues & Initiatives within Research Systems” * Power Point presentation: “Mapping and analyzing research systems: A Template & How to breathe” 17h – 17h30 VIEWPOINTS • Alec Boksenberg , Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge and Chairperson, National Commission for UNESCO of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland * Power Point presentation: “Super Research Universities” 17h30 – 18h VIEWPOINTS • Jean François Mascari , Italian Council for Science, Rome, Italy * Power Point presentation: “Higher Education Research and Innovation - a GSSD perspective” 18h – 19h DISCUSSION Friday, 20 March 2009 • CHAIR: Tony Marjoram , Engineering Programme, Division of Basic and Engineering Sciences, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO 9h30 – 11h THEME 1: Current Governance Trends and Implications for Research including Research Universities VIEWPOINTS • Joseph Gahama, Kigali Institute of Education, Rwanda * Contribution: “Recreating Research Capacity in Rwanda” • Nazli Choucri , Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA * Power Point presentation: “Legacies of the 20th Century & Knowledge Imperatives for the 21th Century” DISCUSSION 11h30 – 13h THEME 2: Research Imperatives for Emerging Economies VIEWPOINTS • Wallace Baker, International Legal Cosultant, Emeritus Partner of Baker and McKenzie * Contribution: “A Reflection on Business Ethics. Implications for the United Nations Global Compact and Social Engagement and for Academic Research” • Abdelwahab Ben Hafaiedh , University of Tunis, Tunisia and Director, Middle East Research Competition Programme (MERC) * Contribution: “What can be said about Research in Social Science in the Arab Countries” • Peadar Kirby,University of Limerick, Ireland * Contribution: “Research Imperatives for Emerging Economies” DISCUSSION • CHAIR: Christina von Furstenberg, Chief, Policy and Cooperation in Social Sciences Section Secretary, Management of Social Transformation Programme, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO 15h – 16h30 THEME 3: Organizing Research in Challenging Geographical Contexts VIEWPOINTS • Jaana Puukka, Programme for the International Management of Higher Education (IMHE), OECD, Paris * Contribution: “Organising research in challenging geographical contexts: What can we learn from the OECD reviews of HE in regional development” * Power Point presentation: “Organising research in challenging geographical contexts: What can we learn from the OECD reviews of HE in regional development” • Jackeline Alger, Faculty of Medical Science, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras * Contribution: “National Health Research Systems in Latin America: Outcomes of the First Latin American Conference on Research and Innovation for Health and a review of 14 countries” * Power Point presentation: “National Health Research Systems in Latin America: Outcomes of the First Latin American Conference on Research and Innovation for Health and a review of 14 countries” DISCUSSION 17h – 18h30 THEME 4: Research Systems and Specific Challenges for Social Development: (Outreach to key social partners, multiculturalism, changing demographics) VIEWPOINTS • Saran Kaur Gill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Industry and Community Partnerships, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia * Contribution 1: “Ethnic and National Identities in Multicultural Contexts. Considerations and Challenges” * Power Point presentation 1: “Ethnic and National Identities in Multicultural Contexts. Considerations and Challenges” * Contribution 2: “Academia, Industry and Community Collaboration in Malaysia. Strategies and Opportunities for the Future” * Power Point presentation 2: “Higher Education Community Collaboration in Malaysia: Academia, Industry and Community Collaboration in Malaysia. Strategies and Opportunities for the Future” • Merle Jacob, Professor of Research Policy, Lund University, Sweden * Power Point presentation: “Research in Diverse Social Contexts: Changing demographics & social outreach” DISCUSSION Saturday, 21st March 2009 • CHAIR: Mary-Louise Kearney, Director, UNESCO Forum on Higher Education, Research and Knowledge * Contribution: “Research in the Knowledge Society: Global and Local Dimensions” 9h30 – 11h THEME 5: Research and IT Connectivity: 1) Opportunities for Innovation 2) Issues for Africa VIEWPOINTS • Diem Ho, Member of the IBM Academy of Technology, Manager for Academic Relations, IBM Europe, France * Power Point presentation: “Research & IT Connectivity: Opportunities for Innovation & Issues for Africa” • Florin Popentiu, University Polytehnica of Bucharest and UNESCO Chair of Engineering Sciences, Bucharest, Romania * Power Point presentation: “Aspects on Higher Education, Research and IT Capacity in Europe” • Olusola Oyewole, Coordinator, Mobilizing Regional Capacity Initiatives, Association of African Universities (AAU), Accra, Ghana * Contribution: “Research & Information Technology Connectivity - Opportunities for Innovation and Issues for Africa” * Power Point presentation: “Research & Information Technology Connectivity - Opportunities for Innovation and Issues for Africa” DISCUSSION 11h30 – 13h FINAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS • Albert Sasson, Rapporteur General * SUMMARY REPORT (refer to page 8 of the pdf file) FAREWELL REMARKS