Cape Town, Sunday, 4 December 2022 –The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in partnership with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) will host a dialogue titled, Science for Inclusivity, Innovation, Food Security, Nutrition and Social Justice, at the World Science Forum (WSF) on Monday, 5 December 2022 at 9h00.
The dialogue which forms part of a series of pre-WSF events will focus on the following three sub-themes:
Theme 1: Food Security and Nutrition: Support Areas for Policy Coherence Through Africa Regional and International Cooperation Framework
The session will address the following key questions:
- What are the critical findings and recommended actions for food security and nutrition?
- What is the regional status of food security and nutrition and how should regional policy mechanisms respond to rapid impact?
- What is the government’s response to the international cooperation framework and resources for improving food security and nutrition status in South Africa?
Speakers include:
- Dr Shingi Mutanga, Research Group Leader: Climate Services, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Mission: Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)
- Dr Mmboneni Muofhe is the Deputy Director-General, Socio-Economic Innovation Partnership, Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)
Theme 2: Institutional Partnerships and Arrangements for Improving the Farmer–Scientist-Industry Interface
Key questions to be addressed in this theme include:
- What institutional partnerships and arrangements are required for improving the Farmer–Scientist-Industry Interface from the perspectives of your organisations?
- What has been the institutional support in terms of practice and framework tools from your organisations towards farmers and scientists in the industry?
- What are the experience-based challenges and success factors?
- What would you recommend as possible pathway(s) to impact the industry, especially for food security and promotion to accessing nutritious food?
Speakers:
- Mr Kudakwashe Koke – Consultant at Business Sweden Embassy
- Dr Nompumelelo Obokoh – Chief Executive Officer: South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
- Dr Simphiwe Ngqangweni – Chief Executive Officer: National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)
Theme 3: Designing and Strengthening Social Inclusion Mechanisms In Science For Policy Impact: Improving Health For All Through Food Systems
This panel will be targeting poverty and inequality reduction through food systems approach. The session will address the following key questions:
- What evidence has influenced progressive inclusivity in communities?
- How can one health be achieved through a proactive food systems policy?
- What are the gaps and successes in improving health for all through food systems?
- What recommendations can be made for improving one health for all through food systems?
Speakers:
- Mr Harry May, Manager, Cape Town Team, Surplus People Project
- Dr Peter Jacobs, Research Director (Strategic Lead): Inclusive Economic Development (IED) division at Human Science Research Council (HSRC)
- Prof Joseph Francis, Director: Institute for Rural Development, University of Venda
The overall objective of the dialogue is to identify existing and emerging intervention models that are embedded in system designs towards an integrated application of science and practice innovations and policy for enhanced socio-economic conditions.
According to Dr Palesa Sekhejane (Strategic Partnership Director, HSRC), a couple of factors are inherent to a functional food system. “For example, better access to land and production resources, stakeholders support, a conducive policy environment, innovation and knowledge all contribute to systems critical for enhancing favourable socio-economic conditions.
“In low-resource settings, science and innovation needs to be adopted. However, without targeted key actors and an integrated stakeholder approach, it is a challenge to apply knowledge and promote science and innovation-led interventions informed by local context and conditions,” said Dr Sekhejane.
She added that promoting and supporting the inclusion of marginalised communities such as women, children and rural populations or those on the margins of economic and policy benefits requires coordinated inter-governmental efforts, strengthened networks and partnerships that support inclusivity.
For session specific information visit the WSF website https://worldscienceforum.org/programme
Details of the event
Date: 5 December 2022
Time: 9h00 to 11h00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, WSF venue, Meeting Rooms 1.43 – 1.44
For media inquiries:
| Dr Lucky Ditaunyane, Cell: 0832276074, Email: lditaunyane@hsrc.ac.za | Adziliwi Nematandani, Cell: 0827659191, Email: anematandani@hsrc.ac.za |
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Notes to the Editor
About the South African Council for Natural Scientific professions (SACNASP)
SACNASP is the legislated regulatory body for natural science practitioners in South Africa. The natural sciences encompass a wide range of scientific fields covering all of the basic sciences and many of their applied derivatives. For a complete list of the current fields of practise recognised by SACNASP, please click here.
Our mission is to establish, direct, sustain and ensure a high level of professionalism and ethical conscience amongst our scientists. Their conduct should be internationally acceptable and in the broad interest of the community as outlined in the SACNASP Code of Conduct.
SACNASP’s main objectives are to:
- Promote the practice of the natural science professions in South Africa.
- Ensure and administer the mandatory registration of natural scientists as required in terms of The Natural Scientific Professions Act of 2003.
- Exercise control over the standard of conduct of professional natural scientists.
- Monitor the standard of education and training of natural scientists.
- Set standards for the recognition of education and training of natural scientists.
- Ensure that prospective registrants meet the educational standards required for registration.
About the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
The HSRC was established in 1968 as South Africa’s statutory research agency and has grown to become the largest dedicated research institute in the social sciences and humanities on the African continent, doing cutting-edge public research in areas that are crucial to development.
Our mandate is to inform the effective formulation and monitoring of government policy; to evaluate policy implementation; to stimulate public debate through the effective dissemination of research-based data and fact-based research results; to foster research collaboration, and to help build research capacity and infrastructure for the human sciences.
The Council conducts large-scale, policy-relevant, social-scientific research for public sector users, non-governmental organizations, and international development agencies. Research activities and structures are closely aligned with South Africa’s national development priorities.
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