B. ASSAf Workshop Proceedings and Other Reports
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Proceedings Reports are a verbatim reflection of a live ASSAf event. It is published with consent of all speakers.
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Item ASSAf Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS) Programme 2023/24(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted Prof Loretta Baldassar as the 2023/24 ASSAf Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS). The DVS Programme took place on 12 - 27 March 2024. Prof Baldassar delivered a series of lectures under the theme “Transnational Family Care: from social death to digital kinning over a century of Australian migration” at various institutions across five Provinces: the universities of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Limpopo (UL), Free State (UFS), Rhodes, Stellenbosch and University of Cape Town (UCT). She also engaged with emerging academics at these institutions as part of her research capacity development work, drawing on the tools and insights of social network analysis (SNA). Prof Baldassar is Professor of Anthropology and Sociology, Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Research Fellow, and Director of the Social Ageing (SAGE) Futures Lab at Edith Cowan University (ECU). The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) annually invites one or more distinguished scholars from abroad to present lectures at various higher education institutions around the country. The scholars are internationally prominent academics who are inspirational speakers and usually with an ability to bridge the divides between disciplines. The purpose of the Distinguished Visiting Scholars’ Programme is to fulfil one of the Academy’s strategic goals, viz. the promotion of innovation and scholarly activity. Through interaction with distinguished individual scholars from around the world, ASSAf aims to enrich and stimulate research endeavours at South African higher education and research institutions. Scholars from the humanities disciplines are invited in alternate years.Item The launch of the ASSAf inclusivity initiative for gender equity and persons with disabilities as part of the Science Forum South Africa 2023 panel discussion(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Gender equity, disability and inclusivity are human rights issues, and the South African Constitution enshrines the rights of citizens at all levels. The Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 10 promote gender equality and reduced inequalities, respectively. Furthermore, the South Africa’s Decadal Plan in science, technology and innovation (STI) calls for the creation of an inclusive economy and equity ambitions set by the Gender- Responsive Planning Budgeting, Monitoring, Evaluation and Auditing Framework. In spite of these legislative prerogatives, initiatives to promote the participation of women and people living with disabilities are slow to produce significant change. ASSAf is no exception in this regard, with 70% of members being male academics and statistics of participation of persons with disabilities is lacking. As a result, ASSAf developed a transformation strategy which incorporated the 2019 White Paper on STI as one of many instruments to guide the organisation in prioritising inclusivity and transformation in STI, and the ASSAf Inclusivity Initiative on Gender Equity and Persons with Disabilities is one such tool. The ASSAf Inclusivity Initiative on Gender Equity and Persons with Disabilities focuses on advancing inclusive participation of persons with disabilities and women in science, technology and innovation within its Membership and within the national system of innovation (NSI). ASSAf launched the Inclusivity Initiative on Gender and Persons with Disabilities during the 2023 Science Forum South Africa in order to raise awareness on the Initiative and to seek partnerships from beyond the academic sector. It is envisioned that the Initiative will also provide ASSAf with a platform to strengthen collaborations with other stakeholders in raising awareness of and in championing solutions to curb the barriers that impede equal opportunities and access to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) by women, young girls and, persons with disabilities within the National System of Innovation. The participants provided valuable inputs and recommendations which ASSAf will take into consideration in the next phase of the process. Speakers included: Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola (ASSAf Member; OWSD; TWAS); Dr Tebogo Mabotha (ASSAf); Dr Anila Pretorious (Wits); Ms Dineo Mmako (DWYPD); Mr Mark Bannister (DWS); Ms Bongiwe Mkhithika (DSI); Mr Gerhard Coetzee (INVEN-D) and Dr Tozama Qwebani (ASSAf). There were over 60 participants in attendance.Item BRICS Academies Forum 2023: InterAcademy Collaboration on the Global Polycrisis(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)., 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Indian National Science Academy (INSA); Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) jointly hosted the 2023 BRICS Academies Forum on 1-2 December 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa. The Forum is the body of science academies of the BRICS member states including the: Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC), Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Indian National Science Academy (INSA), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and ASSAf. The theme of the 2023 BRICS Academies Forum Meeting was “Inter-Academy Collaboration on Global Crises” which was aligned to the 2023 BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) theme; “Building BRICS and Africa Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.” The delegations of the BRICS Academies were welcomed by ASSAf Acting President, Prof Stephanie Burton, and DSI Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation and Resources, Mr Daan du Toit during the Opening and Welcome Dinner ceremony on the 1st of December. Day 2 of the meeting was dedicated to technical presentations by each Academy and subsequent discussions. Prof Burton directed the proceedings and Prof Himla Soodyall the ASSAf Executive Officer moderated the discussion.Item Research, Development, and Innovation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa - Proceedings Report(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI); South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)This report captures the proceedings at the launch of the study report on, Research, Development, and Innovation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa. The study supports the high-level agreement between South Africa (through the DMRE) and the IAEA by providing a solid foundation upon which a national strategic framework on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in South Africa can be built. The objectives of the study were to review relevant current and historical national policies, plans and strategies; review the national landscape of existing and emerging RDI role players and activities in the country; develop baseline information around the nuclear technology landscape to assist with targets and indicators for monitoring and evaluation; review the Country Programme Framework (CPF) between South Africa and the IAEA and make recommendations on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme could be leveraged to strengthen the nuclear technology sector in South Africa; and make proposals on how to define a South African nuclear technology RDI flagship programme. Characterisation of the needs and gaps contains the following elements: • a brief explanation of the need setting out the context in terms of the severity and relevance. • a strategic objective to be achieved; and • an indicator, or indicators, for the proposed objective. The study was divided into six broad areas, namely: • agriculture and food security, • human health, • radiation protection, • water and environment, • energy and industry, • nuclear safety, security and safeguards.Item Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Mental Health Care and Policy: Bridging the Gap in Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho and South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Incorporating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) into mental health policies poses challenges throughout Africa. Existing health policies often fall short of comprehensively tackling mental health, neurological and substance use disorders. In Africa, traditional health practitioners (THPs) play a crucial and pivotal role in public health management, as well as health care practices, but are not adequately recognised in public health policies. The session aimed to consider ways of integrating them more effectively into policy. The session also aimed to explore the intersection of IKS in mental health care and policy across the four countries. The initiative formed part of the Science Advisory and Strategic Partnership Programme of ASSAf. The objectives of the session were as follows: • To deliberate on the role of traditional practitioners in mental health care and their contribution to holistic healing practices. • To explore the integration of THPs and indigenous practices in national mental health policies and their acceptance within the broader healthcare community. • To identify opportunities for meaningful integration. • To work towards establishing a platform for mental health stakeholders within the SADC region. • To share experiences, identify common ground, and address gaps in mental health, decision making and policies.Item Global Health Approach for Infectious Diseases – A Proposal for the Next Decade(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa; German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina; Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal; Ethiopian Academy of SciencesThe German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal (ANSTS), and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) jointly hosted a workshop in May 2023 on "Infectious Diseases beyond COVID-19" at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, Germany. The objectives of the workshop were to deliberate on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and to formulate strategies for enhancing preparedness in the face of both existing and future infectious disease threats, with emphasis on the "One Health" approach and the interplay of climate change. Academia, private enterprises, non-governmental organisations, and political sectors participated in the workshop. Herewith the Conference brief is provided to highlight key recommendations.Item African Open Science Platform PART II: Frameworks(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Item Proceedings of thematic session: Establishing an African knowledge democracy for increased social justice and development(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Item The 5th National Global Change Conference; Transformative Futures for Water Security Seminar(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The 5th National Global Change Conference organised by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), in partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS), took place at the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS, from 30 January to 2 February 2023. The central theme of the 5th National Global Change Conference was: “Research and Innovation Accelerating transformations to global sustainability”. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) jointly hosted a hybrid special session titled, Transformative Futures for Water Security on 31 January 2023. The objectives of the session were to; 1. Obtain sector grounded suggestions to climate change adaptation for the water sector, and 2. Identify data and information gaps under the cloud of climate change to influence planning for a water secure future. This Special Session provided a multisectoral dialogue on South Africa’s water future and adaptation to the influence of climate change. The engagement proposed and discussed actions required nationally and regionally to strengthen water security in the face of global change. The following key recommendations were tabled from the session: 1. Engagement with communities to promote conservation of water resources must be a priority. 2. Municipalities need to develop own groundwater strategies to inform groundwater utilisation. 3. The process of transforming the water sector should be taken to local communities. 4. Water use quotas need to be stricter. 5. The implementation of solutions from the research community is commonly hindered bureaucratic processes; there needs to be means to minimize red tape.Item Water Security Seminar: Sustainable Development Goal 6, Access to Water and Sanitation for all(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)On 14 March 2023 the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted the Water Security Seminar to launch the ASSAf Statement on Water Security in South Africa, and engage across sectors on solutions to strengthen water sustainability. The crafting of the Statement was necessitated by the United Nations 2023 Water Conference and to highlight the socio-economic threat in the face of continuously declining water security in South Africa, thus a call for action. The solution targeted Statement was crafted by a 20-member panel from various local institutions. The Statement was in sync with the discussion themes of the UN 2023 Water Conference, namely, (1) Water for Health, (2) Water for Development, (3) Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment, (4) Water for Cooperation, and (5) Water Action Decade. During the Seminar, the Statement was handed over to the water sector leader, the Department of Water and Sanitation represented by their Chief Engineer, Mr Mark Bannister. Mr Bannister additionally gave an overview of South Africa’s progress concerning Sustainable Development Goal 6. Sectors that attended the Seminar include, government (national and local government), academia and research institutions, water boards, business, agriculture, energy generation, media, non-governmental organisations. Seminar attendance by youth was noteworthy as represented by: Jabulani Technical Secondary School (Soweto), South African Young Academy of Science, Sibayeni Metro Farming, Young Water Professionals, South Africa Youth Parliament for Water. During the Seminar, ASSAf additionally communicated endeavours to establish the ASSAf Water Security Forum as a multi-sectoral platform to engage on water issues concerning South Africa.
