Science, Technology and Society across the Commonwealth

This year's Commonwealth Week (March 8-14) theme celebrates 'Science, Technology and Society' in recognition of the important role science plays in improving people's lives. Activities will take place during the week and continue throughout 2010.

As part of the celebrations UKCDS jointly hosted a three-day conference for commonwealth scholars and fellows on the theme Maximising the impact: science and technology for society. Over 70 scholars from across the UK attended Cumberland Lodge for the annual event organised by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).

Dr Andrée Carter, UKCDS Director, and Professor Jeff Waage, co-author of Science and Innovation for Development, demonstrated through an energetic and interactive session the competing agendas politicians face from advisers and lobbyists, and discussed how the quality of information available to them could be improved.

Research

From animal health projects to combating climate change, UKCDS members are working across developing Commonwealth countries to help tackle poverty and improve people's livelihoods.

Read about UKCDS members' work in developing Commonwealth countries in the case studies below.

Mosquito screens found to be cheap and effective in malaria prevention
Trials of a screen-based malaria prevention programme in 500 homes in The Gambia, Africa, have led to a 50 per cent reduction in malaria transmission and anaemia in children.

Protecting biodiversity in South Africa with a healthy garden of medicinal plants
South Africa's Eastern Cape communities rely heavily on traditional healthcare but over exploitation of wild medicinal plants now threatens one of planet's most important biodiversity regions.
 

Scotland and Malawi: partners in development 
The Scottish Government helps young girls attend primary school in rural Malawi where drop-out rates can reach 70%. It's just one of the projects supported by the Malawi Development Programme.
 

Native plants could benefit African farmers
Indigenous African legumes could provide an alternative to less suitable plant species introduced from abroad, to help combat hunger, poverty and ecological devastation on the continent.

Tackling wildebeest disease to save cattle
The annual wildebeest migration in Africa is a great spectacle, but for local farmers this natural wonder endangers their livelihood as the 400,000 wildebeest calves born each year harbour a viral disease deadly to livestock.

Traditional rainmakers team up with meteorologists to share knowledge about tackling climate change
For generations, the Nganyi people of western Kenya have served as rainmakers, helping local communities decide when best to prepare their land and sow their seeds.