'Science and Innovation for Development' launched in Nairobi and Boston

The message that science and technology are vital for poverty reduction is spreading around the world with the authors of the UKCDS publication Science and Innovation for Development launching the book in Africa and the USA this month (April).

Boston, Monday 5 April

Co-author Professor Jeff Waage was in Boston on Easter Monday launching Science and Innovation for Development in the USA at an event hosted by Harvard Kennedy School and the British Consulate-General Boston.

He spoke to an audience of science and technology policy officials hailing from countries such as Nigeria, Rwanda, Mexico, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Haiti and others; plus representatives from NGOs, members of MIT faculty and Harvard Kennedy School students.

Many of the guests were senior officials from developing countries who were taking part in a week-long executive programme at Harvard on ‘Innovation for Economic Development’, taught by Professor Calestous Juma, who also wrote the foreword for the book.

"The policy officials from the developing nations were encouraged by the messages from the book and hopeful that developed nations such as the UK are making the linkage on science and development," said Neelangi Gunasekera of the Science and Innovation Network (SIN) unit in the British Consulate. "Most officials requested extra copies of the book to take back to hand over to their ministers."

Dr. Phil Budden, Consul-General of the British Consulate-General Boston, endorsed the messages in the book, saying they complimented the SIN team’s efforts to facilitate more science and innovation links between the UK and developing countries. 


Professor Jeff Waage (centre) with Professor Calestous Juma (left) and staff from the British Consulate-General Boston.

Nairobi, Tuesday 6 April

On the East Coast of another continent, co-authors Professor Sir Gordon Conway and Sara Delaney showcased the book to agriculture development experts in Nairobi at a joint event organised by UKCDS, Imperial College and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
 
Opening the event was Dr. William Songa, Agriculture Secretary for Kenya, who noted the book's potential to help with the drafting of Kenya's new agricultural strategy.

He was followed by a panel of speakers representing key agricultural organisations based in Nairobi: Dr. Mataruka, Director of AATF, Dr. Mukisira, Director of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Dr. Devries, Director of the Program for Africa Seed Systems at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, and Mr Bruce Scott, Director of Partnerships and Communications at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

The panel members spoke passionately about how their organisations are using science, technology and innovation to address food security challenges in Eastern Africa, as well as praising the book for its scope, comprehensiveness, and timing.
 

Sara Delaney and Gordon Conway signing copies of the book.	Panel members at the launch.

More events

A series of international launches are planned for 2010 to raise awareness of the book among science and technology officials and researchers worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

Coming up in May:

• The World Bank in Washington will host an event with Professor Sir Gordon Conway on Thursday 13 May. 
• Professor Jeff Waage will join Professor Anne Glover, UKCDS Chair, at the Scottish launch hosted by the University of Aberdeen on Thursday 17 May.

Science and Innovation for Development was first launched in London on 19 January 2010.