Pretoria - Africa was richer, and if collective decisions made at the Science Forum South Africa were implemented, changes would be great.
Host and Science and Technology Minister, Naledi Pandor, was speaking at the end of the two-day event at the CSIR Convention Centre, attended by about 1 500 participants from 45 countries.
Science and technology and advancements were the focus of the extravaganza, during which young scientists sat in sessions with older and more established experts.
“This has been an extremely important occasion for our ambitions for science, technology and innovation, as well as scientists, hard working researchers and leaders in science,” the minister said.
That delegates staying for the two days of discussions was testament that their work was worthwhile, she said.
The event saw delegates and individuals engaging in thematic sessions and parallel plenary sessions which covered, among other issues, climate change, space science, women in science and health, education and lifestyle issues that could be influenced by science.
As the forum closed yesterday afternoon, delegates lauded South Africa for successfully hosting the first ever forum of its kind on African soil.
“This indicates that Africa has come of age; Africa is the future,” said Dr Peggy Boateng of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Boateng said Africa had a large younger population and an abundance of natural resources, but faced many challenges.
There was a need to invest in innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics to transform the lives and develop critical mass for the future of the continent. The forum was one place where that could start to happen, Boateng said.
@ntsandvose
Pretoria News
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