The role of social and human sciences was the main focus of the debate, at the time when the priorities set in the Agenda 2063, adopted by the African Union in May 2013 to engage a positive socio-economical transformation in Africa, only gives them a low impact. Various perspectives emerged from the discussions.

Sciences as “instrument of liberation” for the African societies

The speakers of the roundtable agreed to enhance the political role of the social and human sciences as they provide tools for the comprehension of the African socio-economical realities. This critical work is essential in drafting public policies suitable for the African specificities.

Social and human sciences are the interface between society and policy-makers. Marèma Touré Thiam PhD, programme specialist in Social and Human Science section at UNESCO Dakar, considers them to be “instruments of liberation”, suggesting the utility of sciences for the integration of the requirements of local populations often neglected by States ruling under international influences.

To strengthen the social and human sciences in Africa is to legitimatize their role in the construction and achievements of development models. This issue “raises the question of building a critical space for debate, dialogue and reflection”, said Ann Therese Ndong Jatta, the director of the UNESCO Dakar Office.

A call for the institutionalization of the relationship between science and politics

During the roundtable, it emerged that a dialogue between science and politics requires the affirmation of a political will to invest in research and to take into account academic work. The strengthening of social and human sciences has to be based on the reform of the academic system to fully assume a role in providing much needed space for critical debate. As many universities in Africa lose their monopoly on knowledge production due to privatization, it is necessary to establish new institutional dynamics that facilitate lasting interactions with the decision-making sphere.

The social and human sciences section of UNESCO is implementing a program dedicated to the establishment of an effective dialogue between research in the humanities and social sciences and the ruling circles. In the Dakar Office, it gives priority to activities within the programme for the Management of Social Transformations (MOST). In turn, the development of expertise allows support states to develop or review public policies for social inclusion, particularly concerning the African youth.