125th Anniversary Issue: Science Online Special Feature (I think a subscription is required, although Science sometimes makes content like this freely available on its website.)
"In a special collection of articles published beginning 1 July 2005, Science Magazine and its online companion sites celebrate the journal's 125th anniversary with a look forward -- at the most compelling puzzles and questions facing scientists today."
As scientists move (with increasing rapidity) toward the solution of these problems, the technological spin-offs will revolutionize our world!
Monday, July 11, 2005
"ROLE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTION" LESSONS LEARNED FROM PRSPs OF 33 COUNTRIES"
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are the driving force behind the overall development strategy of many developing countries. The report focuses on 33 countries that had completed their report as of 1 December, 2003. The author reports: "All reviewed PRSPs underline that economic growth is a necessary but not sufficient condition for poverty reduction..... infrastructure interventions are mainly focused on the development of the rural/agricultural and private sectors...... Infrastructure development strategies in the rural/agricultural sector include the development of rural roads, electricity, and telecommunications...... support for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), is also one of the prevailing strategies in PRSPs.....Infrastructure interventions for SME development are designed to build the enabling business environment..... They mainly focus on the improvement and expansion of roads to facilitate logistics and the development of electricity and telecommunication networks..... All PRSPs underline the importance of other infrastructure interventions in the social and/or economic sectors. In particular, most PRSPs recommend improving the water and sanitation systems and expanding them to better reach the poor. Several PRSPs also underline that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can play an important role in human resources development (e.g., by improving education systems), in increasing access to markets and attracting investment, and in promoting good governance by strengthening information sharing and transparency (for example, through egovernment). The major challenge for infrastructure development strategies in PRSPs is whether they can introduce sustainable maintenance mechanisms by systematically securing financial and human resources...... the cost of inaction due to lack of financing can dramatically curtail efforts to achieving the Millennium Development Goals." By Namomichi Murooka, DAC Network on Poverty Reduction, OECD, October 2004. (PDF, 43 pages.)
The human resources which are likely to be hardest to train, most in demand, and providing the best overall return to investment in education are engineers!
The human resources which are likely to be hardest to train, most in demand, and providing the best overall return to investment in education are engineers!
Sunday, July 10, 2005
The Director-General addresses the Permanent Delegations on the WSIS:
UNESCO release:
"On 8 July 2005, the Director-General held an information meeting for Permanent Delegations on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to brief them on the preparation of the second phase of the WSIS, which will take place in Tunis from 16 to 18 November 2005."
"On 8 July 2005, the Director-General held an information meeting for Permanent Delegations on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to brief them on the preparation of the second phase of the WSIS, which will take place in Tunis from 16 to 18 November 2005."
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Statement of the Heads of Academies of Science on Science and Africa
Read the (short) statement.
The heads on nine science academies jointly signed this statement on "Science and Technology for African Development". It underlines the importance of science and technology if Africa is to achieve sustained development. It was prepared in preparation for last week's G8 meeting in Scotland.
The heads on nine science academies jointly signed this statement on "Science and Technology for African Development". It underlines the importance of science and technology if Africa is to achieve sustained development. It was prepared in preparation for last week's G8 meeting in Scotland.
Friday, July 08, 2005
UNESCO Library - Periodicals
UNESCO Library - Periodicals
UNESCO publishes many newsletters and magazines. You can reach them all from this central website.
UNESCO publishes many newsletters and magazines. You can reach them all from this central website.
Helping a Troubled Continent
Commentary by Lee H. Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson Center President and Director :
"This week's G-8 summit will inevitably produce soaring rhetoric about the international commitment to Africa's future. Making rhetoric a reality will demand a new chapter of responsible governance within Africa, and support from the international community that is sincere, focused, and sustained. "
"This week's G-8 summit will inevitably produce soaring rhetoric about the international commitment to Africa's future. Making rhetoric a reality will demand a new chapter of responsible governance within Africa, and support from the international community that is sincere, focused, and sustained. "
G8 Gleneagles 2005
G8 Gleneagles 2005 Website
The UK has provided this website for the G8 meeting in Gleneagles. The website provides briefing materials on "policy issues" related to African development and climate change. It will post the communiques from the meeting, and has information on recent G8 meetings.
The UK has provided this website for the G8 meeting in Gleneagles. The website provides briefing materials on "policy issues" related to African development and climate change. It will post the communiques from the meeting, and has information on recent G8 meetings.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Science 'key to African future'
BBC NEWS article:
"If all the aid from Live 8 was spent on agricultural colleges rather than relief, Ethiopia would not be in difficulties today.
"So says Professor Calestous Juma, co-ordinator of the UN's Millennium Project Task Force on Science, Technology and Innovation."
"If all the aid from Live 8 was spent on agricultural colleges rather than relief, Ethiopia would not be in difficulties today.
"So says Professor Calestous Juma, co-ordinator of the UN's Millennium Project Task Force on Science, Technology and Innovation."
Who are most victimized by the London bombings?
The bombings were terrible, with scores killed and hundreds wounded, but those who suffer most are likely to be Africans.
Some 50,000 people die each day in Africa. The vast majority of these would live years longer, had they had the good fortune to be born and live in England or the United States. The G8 meeting is to have focused on development in Africa and Global Warming. If global warming is allowed to continue, it is the Africans who will suffer most, since their food production will be most affected, and their food security is already the most threatened.
It seems unfortunately clear that Tony Blair will not be able to make the case he had hoped to his peers on the importance of improving the rate of economic development in Africa and on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and thus reducing the rate of global warming. If the result is a less ambitious program, it is the poor in Africa who will suffer most. Their excess deaths and disability will dwarf those of the English killed and wounded by today’s bombs!
Some 50,000 people die each day in Africa. The vast majority of these would live years longer, had they had the good fortune to be born and live in England or the United States. The G8 meeting is to have focused on development in Africa and Global Warming. If global warming is allowed to continue, it is the Africans who will suffer most, since their food production will be most affected, and their food security is already the most threatened.
It seems unfortunately clear that Tony Blair will not be able to make the case he had hoped to his peers on the importance of improving the rate of economic development in Africa and on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and thus reducing the rate of global warming. If the result is a less ambitious program, it is the poor in Africa who will suffer most. Their excess deaths and disability will dwarf those of the English killed and wounded by today’s bombs!
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
"Africa's economy: Aid and growth"
OECD Observer article:
"The recent history of the world's second largest continent has been plagued by internal conflict, famine and disease. But recent economic prospects for Africa are looking more favourable than they have for a number of years."
"The recent history of the world's second largest continent has been plagued by internal conflict, famine and disease. But recent economic prospects for Africa are looking more favourable than they have for a number of years."
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Knowledge and Understanding as Qualifications for the Supreme Court
The discussion of the appointment of a new U.S. Supreme Court Justice that is taking place in the media seems to focus almost entirely on the ideological positions of the candidates. Ideology is too often the antagonist of knowledge and understanding.
The first qualification of the next Justice should be strong moral character. He or she should be an ethical person who not only will try to do the right thing, but who will be assumed to do so as a result of the reputation gained by a lifetime of ethical behavior.
The person should be of balanced disposition, with a temperament that allows rational thought always to be brought to bear on the issues before the Court.
I would like a person thoroughly expert in the law, and especially in constitutional law. The Supreme Court bench does not have training wheels. Indeed, the person should have the demonstrated ability to lead a team of clerks in analyzing legal issues, and a demonstrated ability to successfully debate legal issues with his peers, such as will be required on the Supreme Court.
Perhaps more important, the person should have a strong grasp of history, and the impact of the Court as well as of the law on society. The rulings of the Supreme Court must be understood in the largest context.
The person should have the ability to frame decisions (and dissents) in ways that clarify principles of law and the constitution, when it is appropriate to do so, to avoid inadvertent framing that creates spurious clarification when it is not appropriate to clarify, and the wisdom to recognize the difference.
The person should be humane, understanding how to temper justice with mercy, and understanding when and how to do so from the Supreme Court bench.
The person should be wise, and should have the authority given to those who are known to be wise.
The expertise and legitimate intellectual authority will not be found other than in a gifted legal scholar, who has demonstrated long dedication to the study of the law and society.
Among the few candidates who combine such qualifications, the President can choose whichever pleases him best on ideological grounds.
The first qualification of the next Justice should be strong moral character. He or she should be an ethical person who not only will try to do the right thing, but who will be assumed to do so as a result of the reputation gained by a lifetime of ethical behavior.
The person should be of balanced disposition, with a temperament that allows rational thought always to be brought to bear on the issues before the Court.
I would like a person thoroughly expert in the law, and especially in constitutional law. The Supreme Court bench does not have training wheels. Indeed, the person should have the demonstrated ability to lead a team of clerks in analyzing legal issues, and a demonstrated ability to successfully debate legal issues with his peers, such as will be required on the Supreme Court.
Perhaps more important, the person should have a strong grasp of history, and the impact of the Court as well as of the law on society. The rulings of the Supreme Court must be understood in the largest context.
The person should have the ability to frame decisions (and dissents) in ways that clarify principles of law and the constitution, when it is appropriate to do so, to avoid inadvertent framing that creates spurious clarification when it is not appropriate to clarify, and the wisdom to recognize the difference.
The person should be humane, understanding how to temper justice with mercy, and understanding when and how to do so from the Supreme Court bench.
The person should be wise, and should have the authority given to those who are known to be wise.
The expertise and legitimate intellectual authority will not be found other than in a gifted legal scholar, who has demonstrated long dedication to the study of the law and society.
Among the few candidates who combine such qualifications, the President can choose whichever pleases him best on ideological grounds.
Monday, July 04, 2005
DFID Consultations
DFID website for the consultation:
The British government's Department for International Development (DFID) "recognises that science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) have an important role to play in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and in supporting development beyond 2015. In the words of DFID?s Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, 'Science and technology are vital for development, and vital for our fight against world poverty'.
DFID is now in the process of developing a Science and Innovation Strategy. The work is being led by DFID's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Sir Gordon Conway. The Strategy will provide a scientific lens for DFID thinking and future policy development and will help guide our engagement on SETI with our partners in developing countries and the international community, as well as in the UK."
DFID is inviting comments from people in developing nations, partner organizations, and others on this strategy
The British government's Department for International Development (DFID) "recognises that science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) have an important role to play in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and in supporting development beyond 2015. In the words of DFID?s Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, 'Science and technology are vital for development, and vital for our fight against world poverty'.
DFID is now in the process of developing a Science and Innovation Strategy. The work is being led by DFID's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Sir Gordon Conway. The Strategy will provide a scientific lens for DFID thinking and future policy development and will help guide our engagement on SETI with our partners in developing countries and the international community, as well as in the UK."
DFID is inviting comments from people in developing nations, partner organizations, and others on this strategy
Bird flu experts warn of pandemic
BBC NEWS article:
"Scientists meeting in Malaysia have warned the world has reached a tipping point in the fight against bird flu. They are calling on rich nations to pump resources into countries fighting bird flu or risk a global flu pandemic."
"Scientists meeting in Malaysia have warned the world has reached a tipping point in the fight against bird flu. They are calling on rich nations to pump resources into countries fighting bird flu or risk a global flu pandemic."
Can the world afford to save the lives of 6 million children each year?
The Lancet article:
"US$5.1 billion in new resources is needed annually to save 6 million child lives in the 42 countries responsible for 90% of child deaths in 2000. This cost represents $1.23 per head in these countries, or an average cost per child life saved of $887. Sensitivity analyses for salary levels for community delivery agents, drug costs, and coverage rates for 2000 were used to develop uncertainty estimates around the US$ 5.1 billion annual price tag that range from about $3.1 billion to $8.0 billion."
"US$5.1 billion in new resources is needed annually to save 6 million child lives in the 42 countries responsible for 90% of child deaths in 2000. This cost represents $1.23 per head in these countries, or an average cost per child life saved of $887. Sensitivity analyses for salary levels for community delivery agents, drug costs, and coverage rates for 2000 were used to develop uncertainty estimates around the US$ 5.1 billion annual price tag that range from about $3.1 billion to $8.0 billion."
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Grand Challenges in Global Health
Read about the winners:
"The Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative has offered 43 grants to teams of scientists working on solutions to scientific and technological problems that could clear the way for dramatic improvements in global health."
"The Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative has offered 43 grants to teams of scientists working on solutions to scientific and technological problems that could clear the way for dramatic improvements in global health."
Will the Trickle of Aid Turn Into a Flow?
Washington Post article:
"With celebrities such as the rock star Bono exhorting the world's youth to demand justice for Africa's poor from the leaders of the Group of Eight industrial nations, the annual G-8 summit this week is fraught with more excitement than usual. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the host of the summit in Scotland, shares many of the goals of the 'Make Poverty History' campaign (or the ONE campaign, as the initiative in the United States is known), and he has put top priority on securing the backing of his fellow leaders for a $25 billion increase in annual aid to Africa plus a massive write-off of poor countries' debts."
"With celebrities such as the rock star Bono exhorting the world's youth to demand justice for Africa's poor from the leaders of the Group of Eight industrial nations, the annual G-8 summit this week is fraught with more excitement than usual. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the host of the summit in Scotland, shares many of the goals of the 'Make Poverty History' campaign (or the ONE campaign, as the initiative in the United States is known), and he has put top priority on securing the backing of his fellow leaders for a $25 billion increase in annual aid to Africa plus a massive write-off of poor countries' debts."
Live 8: Pop Culture for Development
"Live 8 rocks the world, but will it help the poor?" - Yahoo! News article
Ten concerts, including one is each of the G-8 countries and one in South Africa; 160 of the most popular bands in the world; a million people attending; televised to a potential audience of two billion. Live 8 should show the politicians that people care!
Ten concerts, including one is each of the G-8 countries and one in South Africa; 160 of the most popular bands in the world; a million people attending; televised to a potential audience of two billion. Live 8 should show the politicians that people care!
Saturday, July 02, 2005
"G8 leaders must help African science help itself"
John Mugabe's SciDev.Net editorial:
"Many African leaders now accept that science and technology have key roles to play in achieving their development goals. The industrialised world must support their efforts to translate this insight into action, says John Mugabe."
"Many African leaders now accept that science and technology have key roles to play in achieving their development goals. The industrialised world must support their efforts to translate this insight into action, says John Mugabe."
"Scientists and engineers: Crisis, what crisis?"
OECD Observer article:
"Just as demand for scientists worldwide is booming, many countries are warning of a looming shortage. Are they right?"
"Just as demand for scientists worldwide is booming, many countries are warning of a looming shortage. Are they right?"
Investments in Knowledge in Rich Countries
OECD Observer: "Sum of knowledge":
"How much do our knowledge-based societies actually invest in knowledge? .........the latest comparable data for the OECD comes from 2000, when average investment in knowledge came to 4.8% of GDP. Sweden spent the most on knowledge, with 7.2% of GDP, followed by the US (6.8%) and Finland (6.2%). Overall, the ratio is 2.8 percentage points higher in the US than in the EU. Investment in knowledge was lowest (below 2.5% of GDP) in southern and central Europe, and Mexico"
"How much do our knowledge-based societies actually invest in knowledge? .........the latest comparable data for the OECD comes from 2000, when average investment in knowledge came to 4.8% of GDP. Sweden spent the most on knowledge, with 7.2% of GDP, followed by the US (6.8%) and Finland (6.2%). Overall, the ratio is 2.8 percentage points higher in the US than in the EU. Investment in knowledge was lowest (below 2.5% of GDP) in southern and central Europe, and Mexico"
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