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.
Peer-Review Status: Non-Peer Reviewed
Enquiries: Henriëtte Wagner
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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 3rd Worldwide Meeting of National Young Academies: One Health – Health and Development(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018-03) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report is the summary of the meeting proceedings of the Third Worldwide Meeting of National Young Academies which took place from 20 to 21 July 2017 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, South Africa. This meeting was hosted by the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and co-organised by the Global Young Academy (GYA).Item The State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC Region(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This proceedings report is the product of a two-day workshop (19 –20 March 2018) on The State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which was held at Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg. The key objectives for this two-day workshop were to: • Discuss issues of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity importance for the region. • Strengthen existing collaborations/networks and establish new ones. • Exchange information and knowledge. The four key challenges that were found to be common across all SADC countries that participated were: • Lack of or inadequate (and fragmented) legislation, regulations and guidelines relevant to laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. • Limited or lack of capacity – including infrastructure, resources and human capacity. • Lack of or limited training programmes on laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. • Low level of awareness about laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, especially among researchers/scientists.Item Preparing for the Future of HIV/AIDS in Africa: A Shared Responsibiltiy(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2012) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The sub-Saharan Africa region still remains the region most heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2010, about 68% of all people living with HIV resided in sub-Saharan Africa and the region also accounted for 70% of new HIV infections. However, there has been a notable decline in the regional rate of new infections. The epidemic continues to be most severe in southern Africa, with South Africa having more people living with HIV (an estimated 5.6 million) than any other country in the world (UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report, 2011).Item Proceedings report Changing patterns of Non-Communicable Diseases(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2013) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The theme of this conference was a superb example of the various activities in which the academies had been involved. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constituted one of the most critical set of health challenges that faced the global community. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs constituted some 60% of all mortality at the present time, and more worrying was the upward trend. It was clear that there was urgent work to be done in this area. The timing and appropriateness of the conference theme were of unquestionable pertinence. NCDs provided a set of challenges that could not be successfully addressed through the isolated actions of various institutions and academies, but required collective wisdom, in this case of the group of medical academies.Item Workshop on Measuring Deprivation in Order to Promote Human Development(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2015) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Poverty reduction is a critical factor outlined in both the Millennium Developmental Goals 2015 (MDGs) and the National Developmental Plan (NDP) – Vision 2030. In order for South Africa to make progress in this regard, definitions of the different forms of deprivation and human development and indicators for their measurement are needed to monitor and evaluate any programme implemented to reduce poverty. The focus of the workshop was to understand the different dimensions of poverty and how appropriate and good measures of poverty can be developed and implemented. The workshop aimed to facilitate a holistic approach, inclined toward key recommendations outlined in the NDP – Vision 2030. The aims and objectives of the workshop were to: • Enhance understanding of poverty and its different dimensions. • Enhance understanding of the debates over the types of measures required to monitor the different dimensions of poverty and the levels at which poverty thresholds should be set and by whom. • Document the phases and substance of the poverty measurement debate in post-apartheid South Africa and the details surrounding this discussion.Item Nuclear Energy Safety Symposium. Proceedings Report(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2012) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Both public and political attitudes on the introduction and use of nuclear energy change with time and events. A movement towards extending its use and building new advanced power stations is driven largely by the contribution that nuclear energy can make to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and hence nuclear energy’s positive role in the climate change debate, as well as its contribution to satisfying the world’s increasing demand for base load electricity. Should the South African government continue with its plans to expand the contribution of nuclear energy to the energy mix, there is no room for complacency, particularly after the March 2011 events at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. These events have focused attention on safety and risk as key issues in the use of nuclear power and have created an understandable anxiety about the use of nuclear technology. South Africa needs to heed the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident, as well as other accidents and ensure that these lessons are incorporated into current and future nuclear energy planning. The symposium was initiated by the ASSAf commentary on the IRP 2010 requested by the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology. The idea developed during the meeting of the G8+5 Academies of Science. The international and local inputs to this symposium were very refreshing, original and decisive in conveying specific and relevant points.Item Proceedings of a Workshop on the Implementation of Core Competencies for Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2014) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), one in six South Africans suffers from disorders such as anxiety, depression or substance use; this excludes disorders such as bipolar or schizophrenia. Due to inadequate resources in managing this burden, less than 16% of patients receive treatment (South African College of Applied Psychology, 2013). The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has a strong focus on health issues of the nation and through its convening influence, hosted a workshop on The Implementation of Core Competencies for Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders on 27 –28 May 2014 in Johannesburg. The workshop was attended by stakeholders from government (national and provincial), academia, non-government organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and professional association/council representatives. This ASSAf workshop follows a series of workshops initiated by the United States’ Institute of Medicine (IOM) aimed at contributing towards addressing the burden of mental, neurological, substance use (MNS) disorders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This included a workshop (August 2009) titled Reducing the Treatment Gap, Improving Quality of Care that was held in Uganda (in collaboration with the Ugandan National Academy of Sciences). In September 2012, a second workshop titled Strengthening Human Resources through Development of Core Competencies for MNS Disorders in SSA was also held in Uganda. It was at this 2012 workshop that the candidate core competencies for providers across all MNS disorders were developed, and the output from that workshop forms the basis for the ASSAf workshop. The core competencies enable screening, identification, formal diagnosis, referral, treatment and care of MNS disorders. The objectives of the ASSAf workshop were to: 1. Identify and discuss the key challenges in the implementation of the MNS disorders core competencies within the South African health system context. 2. Explore the best strategies and opportunities that could be adopted by the different stakeholders for effective implementation of MNS disorders core competencies. Workshop participants and speakers identified and discussed a number of overarching key challenges and gaps when it comes to addressing MNS disorders adequately in South Africa.Item Addressing the global challenges of multimorbidity – lessons from South Africa(Academy of Medical Sciences, 2016) Academy of Medical Sciences; Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The main objective of this workshop was to consider the burden of multimorbidity in South Africa and the UK, and ask how we can achieve a more coherent and consistent approach to defining, researching, and addressing multimorbidity. The workshop brought together experts and evidence from South Africa, the UK and other countries on the prevalence, burden, and determinants of multimorbidity. The aims of the workshop were as follows: • Identify gaps in our knowledge on the basis of the available evidence and identify the associated research priorities required to address them. • Consider how health systems in both the UK and South Africa are currently dealing with multimorbidity, and in particular discuss the key challenges and the costs and financing issues associated with multimorbidity – particularly in light of efforts to achieve universal health care. • Consider lessons that can be learned by each country from the other. • Ask how we can achieve a more coherent and consistent approach to defining, researching, and addressing multimorbidity
