Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)/The World Academy of Sciences Regional Office for sub-Saharan Africa (TWAS-ROSSA)/American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Regional Training Workshop for African Researchers 2018

Application Deadline: 9th February 2018

Eligible Countries: Countries in sub-Saharan Africa

To Be Taken At (Country): South Africa

About the Award: Two trends are becoming clear in the early part of this century: the majority of challenges facing society have an international or global dimension; and science, technology and their applications underpin the cause of or the solution to these challenges. As a result, science and technology are becoming ever more embedded into the foreign policies and development agendas of nations. Moreover, cooperation in science and technology is increasingly benefiting
from both the technical and political interactions between states.

Given the growing role of science and technology in international relations, this 5-day workshop will expose participants to key contemporary international and regional science policy issues including large scientific collaborative infrastructure, transnational approaches to biodiversity conservation, food and energy security, water management and health, among others, while providing an overview of how science, technology and innovation contribute to policy development, global governance and conflict resolution.

Another focus of the meeting will be to gain a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the roles that governments, academia, international organisations and the private sector play in addressing complex science-based issues such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the different governance structures required for the involvement of these different stakeholders.

Finally, the workshop will take stock of science diplomacy case studies and experiences in the various forms that they take in Africa and build strong networks to foster the next generation of science diplomats in the region.

This workshop will encourage active interaction among participants, speakers and facilitators as they develop ideas and strategies to enhance science diplomacy in the region.

Type: Workshop, Training

Eligibility: 

• Applications are invited from young scientists (up to the age of 40), as well as scientists and/or government officials, etc., with more experience in the policymaking arena (‘science diplomacy ambassadors’).
• This training workshop is designed for young scientists (below the age of 40) living and working in sub-Saharan Africa and whose research and wider engagement has brought them into the international policy-making arena, as well as policymakers and diplomats interested in some of the central science-based themes that might influence their work, and representatives from NGOs and other sectors working at the science-diplomacy interface. Alumni will join a global
  network of young leaders and innovators reaching across borders to address societal challenges and become agents of change in their countries and sectors.
• Women from Science & Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs) are especially encouraged to apply. These countries include: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: Economy class flights, local transport and accommodation in South Africa will be covered for selected participants. A limited number of spaces for self-funded and partially-funded candidates will also be available. We encourage applicants to seek support from their institutions and to include a plan for how they will apply the newly gained knowledge and skills back in their organisation.

Duration of Program: 21 to 25 May 2018.

How to Apply: The completed application should be submitted via the online system which is accessible on: http://bit.ly/sciencedipcourse

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)/The World Academy of Sciences Regional Office for sub-Saharan Africa (TWAS-ROSSA)/American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)