Okay, I like this one
Date: Feb. 9, 2005
Contacts: Vanee Vines, Senior Media Relations Officer
Chris Dobbins, Media Relations Assistant
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. National Academies Select Partners For Initiative to Develop African Science Academies
WASHINGTON The U.S. National Academies have selected the science academies of Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa as initial focal points for a program to strengthen African scientists' ability to inform government policy-making and public discourse with independent, evidence-based advice. The initiative, supported by a $20 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will be carried out in Africa over the next decade, focusing on efforts to improve human health.
"Ultimately, the goal is to enhance life for all Africans by making it possible for Africa's scientific community to more effectively tap its potential, both in meeting national needs and in creating a strong science base for public policy," said Bruce Alberts, president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa's academies were chosen based on their vitality and potential for success, the willingness of each country's government to draw on scientific expertise in decision-making, and the pool of available scientific talent in each nation.
The initiative will help the three academies which have limited experience in providing policy guidance engage broader communities of African scientists, medical and health care professionals, and engineers in policy issues. The U.S. National Academies will guide efforts early on, in part by carrying out a series of joint activities, but the aim is to create the capacity in each nation for efforts to thrive under the leadership and support of the African academies themselves. Thus, some of the preliminary activities will center on helping the three academies develop the skills to plan and conduct scientific studies, organize major conferences, raise and manage funds, create and implement administrative procedures, and build lasting relationships with government officials and other stakeholders in their countries.
The U.S. National Academies have also awarded strategic planning grants to the science academies of Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, and Kenya. And the initiative will support various meetings and symposia to promote collaboration and joint learning among sub-Saharan Africa's science academies. Furthermore, Canada's International Development Research Centre will work with the U.S. National Academies to bolster the initiative and will provide financial assistance for the participation of a fourth initial partner in Africa.
The U.S. National Academies comprise the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council. They are private, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under a congressional charter.
[ This news release is available at http://national-academies.org ]
