Tuesday, May 26, 2009

INCLUDING ALL IN BENEFITS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS THEME OF WEEK-LONG COMMISSION SESSION

"Inclusive information societies" and effective methods for spreading the advantages of science and technology to developing countries and the poor are the topics of a 25-29 May conference sponsored by UNCTAD and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The Commission on Science and Technology for Development will discuss, among other things, the preliminary findings of science, technology, and innovation policy reviews (STIPS) of Ghana and Lesotho. STIPS are carried out by UNCTAD staff at the request of developing-country governments. Delegations from Abu Dhabi, Brazil, Iraq, South Africa, and Oman will give presentations on domestic efforts to benefit from science, technology, and innovation.
These discussions will form part of a larger debate on how to enhance developing countries' homegrown abilities to use science, technology, and innovation to spur economic growth and raise living standards.
The commission will review progress made in the wake of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Tunisia in 2005; and it will hold panel discussions on "Mobile technology, convergence and social networking tools for development and poverty eradication"; and "Delivering innovation in global public health."
The conference programme and schedule is available at www.unctad.org. Other agencies contributing to the commission session include the International Telecommunication Union; the Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Development; and the World Health Organization.

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