Open Access (OA): A Tool for High Level Intervention in Scholarly Publishing, Research and Development in Africa

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1 June 2015 NASAC e-bulletin Volume 2 Issue 1 Open Access (OA): A Tool for High Level Intervention in Scholarly Publishing, Research and Development in Africa Twenty years ago, on 27 June 1994, cognitive scientist Stevan Harnad posted a message on a mailing list, a message he headed A Subversive Proposal. This called on all researchers to make copies of the papers they published in scholarly journals freely available on the Internet. They worked on Open Access issues for 10 years before releasing the Budapest Declaration and Guidelines for Open Access Publishing in In the developed world this has become an increasingly desirable route to scholarly and scientific publishing and has reached a certain degree of maturity by the putting in place policies at institutional, governmental, and regional levels. Open Access to scholarly publications is now seen as only one component of the movement towards Open Scholarship which includes sharing of data and teaching materials. On January, 2015 a Consultative Forum took place at the Hilton Hotel, Nairobi to discuss how to embed Open Access platforms in Africa. Stakeholders present were representatives of organizations of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) as well as academics, scholars, researchers, and librarians, professionals who generate, use, and mediate knowledge and information. The overarching objective of the Forum was to establish an agenda and programs to investigate, develop, and evaluate the relevant technical infrastructure, policy implications, and sustainability models. The participants among other things discussed the Context of Open Access for Africa, Global Perspectives on Open Access and Challenges to Open Access to African Research During this forum, it was agreed that encouraging the publication of locally published journals will stimulate a reading culture and build knowledge creation. At the Forum the following next steps were agreed upon to be undertaken collectively: National Academies should present or inform the national government on the opportunities of OA for the country. They should also present an action plan based on the description of the country s national situation in as far as OA is concerned. This would include mission, goal, and actions needed to meet the goal, budgets and timescale. Academies should work on receiving broad national support through universities, media, researchers, etc. It was further recommended that national academies should develop a document that explains OA and spells out the ultimate goal of OA in Africa. In doing so, academies should also determine relevant partners to work with so as to realize OA in Africa. Academies were urged to develop capacities for different programmes and identify on-going initiatives including e-learning tools. UNESCO committed to assist three African countries to develop open access policies in collaboration with NASAC. These countries have since been identified as South Africa, Mauritius and Uganda. UNESCO would also work with NASAC to assess the status and/or performance of OA in Africa and carry out capacity building exercises for the curriculum that has been developed towards making it suitable and adaptable to Africa. NASAC agreed to facilitate sharing of experience among science academies in addressing the OA issues. NASAC would further urge and assist science academies to engage in OA discussions with relevant government officials with an aim to develop effective approaches to the utilization of the OA platform. A portal for scholarly publishing in OA would be hosted by NASAC for member-academies countries. Quote: Open Access Saves Lives Peter Murray-Rust, Chemist, University of Cambridge - 1 -

2 From the Chair As we are half-way through the year 2015, it gives me great pleasure to present you with this issue of The Science Networker. I am happy to say that NASAC is still committed to producing this electronic bulletin on a bi-annual basis so as to ensure that our members, stakeholders and partners are well informed on the happenings within and around the Network. NASAC continued to collaborate with the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina to produce policymakers booklets on Health, Biotechnology and Climate Change Adaptation. This was done through top scientists nominated by our members to constitute the expert panels. The booklets were then endorsed by our members and essential science-policy advisory instruments. You will recall that the first policymakers booklet under these series was titled The Grand Challenge of Water in Africa Recommendations to Policymakers was finalized earlier in Subsequently, a launch event was organized under the auspices of the African Development Bank s Ministerial Forum in Rabat, Morocco in October The event was hosted by the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology of the Kingdom of Morocco. Following the launch event, the booklet has been widely disseminated both in soft and hard copies. Plans are now underway to also re-launch the booklet in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2015 during a Workshop on Improving the Management of Water Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa and the Americas. The workshop is jointly organized with support from IAP - InterAcademy Partnership, IANAS - InterAmerican Network of Academies of Science, and UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Workshop aspires to bring together NASAC members and experts on water, as well as several policymakers and journalists interested on the topic. For Agricultural Biotechnology, NASAC, with endorsement from its members has also finalized and published the booklet entitled: Harnessing the Potential of Modern Agricultural Biotechnology for Africa s Socio- Economic Development Recommendations to Policymakers. The document elaborates how food security, environmental health, economic development and the general human wellbeing can be achieved and sustained through targeted policy actions on agricultural biotechnology. The academies of Science in Africa, through NASAC and - 2 -

3 linkages with global academies, present a rich pool of expertise that provides evidencebased science advice for policy formulation and decision making. For Health, the booklet entitled Changing Disease Patterns in Africa: Recommendations to Policymakers has also been published. The booklet emphasises the need to avert looming negative consequences of a shift from predominantly communicable disease profiles to a dual disease burden consisting of communicable and non-communicable diseases. In light of this, Africa s leading academics on health, nominated by their science academies, undertook an analysis of the situation and formulated a set of recommendations for African governments and other partners in the health sector. This policymakers booklet emanates from an editorial team meeting (held in Pretoria), and two conferences (held in Hamburg, Germany and Johannesburg, South Africa). At the time of publishing this e-bulletin, the policymakers booklet for Climate Change Adaptation entitled Tackling Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Recommendations to Policymakers was still undergoing peerreview before printing. Its findings will be highlighted in the next issue of The Science Networker. Besides the policymakers booklets, NASAC continued to forge new partnerships to enhance its visibility in Africa. Key among NASAC s new partners are ICSU-Paris, ICSU- ROA, UNESCO-Nairobi, UNESCO-Paris and Elephant Vert (Morocco). I take this opportunity to thank the NASAC members for their diligent contribution of expertise in the development of the policymakers booklets and for their continued support to NASAC, their umbrella organization and affiliate member of InterAcademy Partnership for Africa. I wish to also thank our partners for providing support to NASAC ensuring active and enthusiastic realization of its objectives

4 Recent Activities and Events African Science Academy Development (ASADA) Workshop Representatives of the 19 out of the 21 academies of science in Africa, and members of NASAC, met in Pretoria on February 2015 to review the draft ASADA strategic plan. The workshop was hosted by the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf) under the sponsorship of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of South Africa. This five-year strategic plan has been developed and endorsed by African science academies present to provide a roadmap for science academy development, and associated evidence-based science advisory activities on the continent for the period The plan succeeds the major 11-year African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI) led by the US NAS (US National Academies of Science) and funded by the Gates Foundation that was successfully implemented and formally concludes in June ASADA is conceptualized by the African academies of science. Ministry of Environment and Forest officials participated. There was also representation from USAID East Africa Regional Mission officials and Members of National Biosafety Boards from different African Countries. The main aim of the event was to get inputs from a number of stakeholders on the draft Biotech Implementation Plan, which is a logical step following the adoption of the COMESA Biotech Policy by member states. NASAC took this opportunity to emphasize the role that science academies can play in stimulating policy change and NASAC s anticipated influence through the policymakers booklet on Agricultural Biotechnology. NASAC will refer the COMESA documents to national academies so as to facilitate local domestication of both policy and implementation plan, and so as to promote the political goodwill on Biotechnology and the opportunities its presents Africa in respect to food security and agriculture. NASAC official also held side meetings with officials from COMESA secretariat, USAID East Africa and the Kenyan Delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. NASAC-Leopoldina Cooperation Endterm Evaluation and Planning Meeting Group photo of the ASADA Workshop participants Regional Workshop on the Implementation Modalities of the COMESA Policy on Biotechnology and Biosafety NASAC, as an observer organization, was invited to the COMESA Regional Workshop on the Implementation Modalities of the COMESA Policy on Biotechnology and Biosafety. The regional workshop was held on March 2015 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. About 50 participants from 15 member states of COMESA as well as observer organizations (NGOs and CBOs) and the Ethiopian NASAC and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina through the funding of BMBF embarked on a co-operation that was projected to run for three years from ( ). The project received a no cost extension of up to June The goal and aims of the co-operation was to strengthen NASAC and subsequently the member academies. L-R Prof. V. Muelen (Leopoldina), Prof. R. Mills-Tettey (GAAS), Prof. B. Ahunu(GAAS) - 4 -

5 NASAC-Leo Review & Planning Meeting Group Photo During an evaluation meeting that took place in Nairobi, Kenya on 16 April 2015, it was unanimously agreed that the project had achieved what it had set forth in terms of implementation. NASAC Policymakers booklets (PMB) were developed in four areas of Water, Health, Climate Change Adaption and Biotechnology. 12 Capacity Building grants were awarded to and implemented by 9 academies. The grants supported some academies to undertake subregional conferences while others purchased office equipment. As is expected of most projects, during the implementation of the NASAC-Leopoldina project, there were opportunities that arose and challenges that were encountered. A planning meeting to discuss the next phase of the project was thereafter held from April NASAC member-academies from South Africa (ASSAf) and Ghana (GAAS) together with the Global Young Academy (GYA) participated in this planning meeting. The five institutions (Leopoldina, NASAC, ASSAf, GAAS and GYA) will co-manage phase-two of the project, which will still be under financial support from the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Talk Show Session L-R Dr. R. Nala, Prof. Y. Gassama, Ms C. Mzyece The workshop objectives were to: 1. Inform participants about NASAC activities on Science Education and Women for Science; 2. Take stock of the relevant issues in mainstreaming gender in African science education curriculum; 3. Exchange information on the value of academies in cha 4. Engaging policy perspective so as to make science education gender neutral and mainstreamed; 5. Create awareness on the mechanisms that will ensure retention of girls and women in pursuit of scientific careers; and 6. Discuss the role of inquiry based science education (IBSE) in addressing the gender question in science The participants unanimously agreed that the term Gender includes both men and women. Gender issues therefore deal with ensuring that there is equal opportunity and fairness in adjudicating the roles and responsibilities that come with either being male or female. Mainstreaming Gender in Science Education Workshop A workshop funded by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) brought together the NASAC Science Education Focal Points and Women for Science Working Group. This workshop entitled: Mainstreaming Gender in Science Education was held in Nairobi, Kenya from May Mainstreaming Gender in Science Education Participants Group Photo - 5 -

6 The Workshop developed numerous action points that would lead to mainstreaming gender first within science academies and secondly, within their respective national science education curricula. The Workshop also shared good practices implemented in countries that have gained mileage in gender mainstreaming in the hope that these could be useful learning opportunities. The Workshop was successful in meeting the expectations of the participants, who committed to developing a plan of action to mainstream gender in science and develop strategies to incorporate women at all levels of decision-making. in the continent. The issues of bio-waste utilization for biofuel and animal feeds and fertilizers were also touched upon. Considerations within the education system and economic value chain should be used to develop the image of the new farmer, one that can attract and retain young, innovative and entrepreneurial Africans in the Agricultural sector. IAP's Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture Project The kick-off meeting for this project was hosted by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in Halle, Germany on 1-2 June This event was unique in that for the first time, it brought together the IAP affiliate network of Europe (EASAC), of Asia (AASSA), of the Americas (IANAS) and of Africa (NASAC). NASAC was represented by four top scientists on the topic, together with a member of the Board and the Secretariat. For the Africa group (NASAC), issues of agriculture were deemed to be of significant importance and a determination of the complementarity of conventional agriculture versus modern agriculture was discussed. In the end it was agreed that there are countries that have made significant strides in ensuring food and nutrition security for African staple foods and orphan crops. The in-country work should be showcased as success stories to drive policy change Group photo of the IAP Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture Project participants Photo by: Markus Scholz for the Leopoldina At the conclusion of the event, NASAC as well as other regional networks were requested to present to Leopoldina proposals for two-and-a-half years from July 2015 that would be used to secure funding support from the German Ministry of Education and Research. The NASAC team agreed to focus on the production of a policymakers booklet on Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture in Africa. This proposal is currently under review

7 Upcoming Events NASAC-IANAS Water Workshop: October 2015, Nairobi - Kenya The Network of African Science Academies in collaboration with the Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP), the InterAmerican Network of Academies of Science (IANAS), and UNESCO are organizing an Africa Water Workshop on the theme Improving the Management of Water Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa and the Americas on October 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. This workshop is the second event from a two-part series of workshops under the IANAS-NASAC collaboration on Water. The first event was held in Panama City, Panama in October 2014 under the theme "Bridging Science and Policy to Enhance Water Security in Africa and the Americas". It was during this meeting that it was acknowledged that there were four key areas that needed further studies in the two regions in order to provide a science-evidence base for problem resolution. These areas were: Eutrophication and Wastewater management; Water and Climate Change Adaptation; and Water and Energy The NASAC-IANAS Water Conference will not only focus on key options for solutions (for sustainable development); but also on how to move for better implementation and best use of available technologies for socio-economic development of Africa and the Americas. Eleventh Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA-11) 7-13 November 2015, Nairobi - Kenya The Eleventh Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA -11) international conference theme has been selected as Non-Communicable Diseases: Post 2015 Development Agenda and will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 7-13 November During the 10th Annual meeting of African Academies of Science held in Kampala Uganda, Kenya National Academy of Sciences ( KNAS) was unanimously voted to host the 2015 AMASA-11. With the global health agenda captured against the backdrop of the United Nations Post 2015 Development Agenda, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) have become a major challenge to health systems, economies and social structures in developing countries, particularly since the prevalence is rising across all social economic classes worldwide. Changing lifestyles and standards of living are altering the disease landscape in Africa. The World Health Organization states that: In African nations, noncommunicable diseases are rising rapidly and are projected to exceed communicable, maternal, prenatal, and nutritional diseases as the most common causes of death by Incidents of noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancers can rise with improved economic development, resulting in an unhealthy, aging population. Hence the focus of this meeting on NCDs is to update the scientific community, health practitioners and policymakers on the current global status of prevention and control of NCDs against the Post 2015 Development Agenda and the emerging importance of NCDs in Africa s socio-economic development. KNAS has since then embarked on the preparations towards hosting the conference. The Local Organizing and International Committee have been constituted and have been meeting regularly to mobilize resources and arrange for the activities of the conference. It is envisioned that the event will tackle the following seven sub-themes: 1. Management of Natural Resources and NCDs 2. Socioeconomic impacts of NCDs, Gender Dimensions and Policy Interventions 3. Climate Change and NCDs 4. Energy, Industrialization and Occupational Health 5. Prevention and Control of NCDs 6. Information Technology and NCDs 7. Gender Lens and NCDs - 7 -

8 Announcements Strengthening African Science Academies Phase-II BMBF-LEO-NASAC-ASSAf-GAAS-GYA Collaboration Following the conclusion of the NASAC- Leopoldina Project in June this year, continued support has been garnered to facilitate Phase-II of this project, with effect from July This project, whose main thrust will be the dissemination of policymaker s booklets developed in Phase-I, will have participating institutions hold outreach/communication events in Nairobi and Addis Ababa by NASAC, in Accra by GAAS, and Pretoria by ASSAf. The GYA will provide necessary support by ensuring the involvement of young scientists at each of these events. It is hoped that more stakeholders will be involved in Phase-II to better engage with the media, policymakers and government and nongovernment representatives. The following four areas have been selected for maximum impact: Organization of dissemination events for NASAC s four Policy-makers booklets of science-based recommendations to policy-makers, in the areas of Health, Water Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Agricultural Biotechnology. The purpose of such events will be to engage the policymaking and science communities and the wider public in a dialogue on the best policy-making options for sustainable development in Africa. Inclusion of and engagement with African science journalists, who should be involved in the planning of the above dissemination events. At the beginning of the second year, one Capacity Building Workshop of approximately 2 and a half days and 40 participants on the topic of communication by the African science community with and through the media and on building up leadership within the African science community will be held. The workshop will involve representatives of African Science Academies and African Young Academies, as well as science journalists. It will contain a media and communication training for the scientists and a briefing on policy-relevant science for journalists. It will also focus on addressing and overcoming some of the challenges for the scientific community and young researchers in Africa and supporting the academies engagement with policymakers and society. At the beginning of the third year, a conference on Smart Cities: science contributions to sustainable urban development in Africa will be held for 2 and a half days and with approximately 30 participants. Apart from scientific exchange, the purpose of the meeting will be to scope possible issues for joint work, producing science-based policy advice by the African Science Academies. Active support will be required for the involvement of outstanding young African Scientists, to enable their participation in all of the activities and where possible and appropriate also to support activities towards the establishment of new Young Academies on the African continent

9 On the Spotlight Will Africa s future epidemic ride on forgotten lessons from the Ebola epidemic? The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the three West Africa countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a public health event of international concern in August The disease, which has caused more than 10,000 deaths from over 25,000 cases, has thrived on a failed disease control system, national denial, and a poor and fragile healthcare delivery system. The slow and initially uncoordinated national and global response turned the outbreak into an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. Prevention and control of future outbreaks depend on improving and upgrading disease surveillance into a responsive component of a reliable and efficient health care delivery system. Appropriate capacity building with a conducive operating environment, which has been lacking in the past few decades, will be key to the health system strengthening. In conclusion, Prof. Tomori states the following: Even as agencies, foundations, governments, and institutions outside Africa are holding meetings to assess the lessons learnt from the EVD disaster and map out strategies for better response and control of future epidemics, EVD devastated African countries are enmeshed in other battles misuse of EVD funds and the inability to fully utilize aid and resources donated by international agencies. Therefore, is Africa prepared for the next epidemic? Has Africa learnt important lessons from the current EVD outbreak in West Africa? Will Africa still be helpless and totally dependent on international agencies for assistance to control any future epidemic? Will the scientists and governments of the developed world continue to so control the processes of a sustainable global disease surveillance system, leaving no meaningful role for participants from the developing countries? The answers of a pessimist would be no to the first two and yes to the last two questions. For the opposite to occur, Africa must accept that her self-imposed poverty status is not due to a lack of resources, but rather to their misuse, and that it can be reversed. This requires purposeful leadership and rightly guided followership. The African researcher or scientist must evaluate the needs of the society and become relevant to the society through adaptation and development of technologies that positively impact on the daily life of citizens. The poor standard of living and status of life in Africa places an extra burden on the African researcher or scientist that transcends the confines of learning and expertise. The researcher or scientist must take on the extra roles of guide, teacher, mentor, and beacon to society. Therein lies the true relevance of the African scientist or researcher. International aid will not build the capacity for such desired relevance; it must be funded with home-based resources and through governments with the right priorities. Read full text at: pdf The author: Prof. Oyewale Tomori, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and Member for Scientific Matters on the NASAC Board - 9 -

10 Member-Academy s Feature UGANDA NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (UNAS) The Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) is an autonomous, honorific and service organization comprising a diverse group of scientists from the physical, biological, social and behavioural sciences. These scientists work together in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner to achieve their main goal of promoting excellence in sciences by offering independent, evidence-based advice for the prosperity of Uganda. Its purpose is to provide advice on all issues of national and global concern and to function as a convener of activities. The Academy has a total of 63 Fellows and 59 members. PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES Advisory Committee On Vaccines And Immunization (ACVI) Malaria Vaccines Committee (MVC) Global Anti-Biotic Resistance Partnership (GARP- Ug) Research, Academia, Sciences And Professional Associations Self Coordinating Entity (RASP-SCE) MAJOR WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS ORGANIZED IN 2014 INTIMATE PARTNERSHIP VIOLENCE (IPV) The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the U.S. Nationa l Academy of Sciences Forum on Global Violence Prevention convened a 2-day public workshop in August 2014, in partnership with the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) on preventing intimate partner violence. The workshop focused on IPV prevention in Uganda, as well as its regional neighbours, Kenya and Tanzania. The workshop participants included influential policy makers, civil society members, representatives from multilateral agencies working in the region, academic researchers, members of the media, and other key stakeholders. AMASA-10 UNAS hosted the tenth Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA -10) working in collaboration with the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC). At the opening of the conference, national science academies representing several African nations released a Consensus study report that lays out a vision and strategy by which African countries can take greater ownership of the development agenda across the continent. The report recommends steps to give all sectors of society a stake in and responsibility for development goals and it emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset in order to drive these changes. During this conference which was the last to be supported by the African Science Academies Development Initiative (ASADI) supported by the Gates Foundation through the US National Academies (US NAS), it was agreed that a new African Science Academies Program be developed and UNAS is taking lead of the Eastern Africa Academies in this initiative in collaboration with her regional leaders and the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC). ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND GENERAL MEETING OF UNAS Every year UNAS organizes an annual scientific conference on a topic national issue and this is followed by the Annual General Meeting which discusses UNAS business. In 2014 the Annual Scientific Conference discussed the issue of Energy in Uganda with special attention to the current and future sources of energy in Uganda in view of the oil extraction processes due to start shortly. During this conference a total of 7 Fellows were duly inducted bringing the total number of inducted Fellows in the last 13 years to 63. UNAS has an active website were all activities including upcoming events and reports of workshops, conferences, reports and policy briefs are uploaded for general consumption. THE FUTURE The Academy is now developing new programs on Private Public Partnership and follow-up on the recommendations of the Consensus Study regarding ownership of Africa s Development Agenda beyond The Academy is also moving forward to support the work of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) and increasing the number of Fellows among others. You are encouraged to visit the academy s website at for further details

11 Official Launch of the Global Antibiotic Resistance Programme Uganda (Garp Uganda)

12 The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) was established on 13 th December 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the auspices of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the InterAcademy Panel (IAP) NASAC is a consortium of merit-based science academies in Africa and aspires to make the voice of science heard by policy and decision makers within Africa and worldwide. NASAC is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of existing national science academies and champions in the cause for creation of new academies where none exist. As at December 2014, NASAC comprised of the following twenty one members: African Academy of Sciences Cameroon Academy of Sciences Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences Kenya National Academy of Sciences Madagascar s National Academy of Arts, Letters and Sciences Nigerian Academy of Science Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal Uganda National Academy of Sciences Academy of Science of South Africa Tanzania Academy of Sciences Zambia Academy of Sciences Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences Sudanese National Academy of Sciences Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, Morocco Academy of Sciences of Mozambique Ethiopian Academy of Sciences Académie National des Sciences, Arts et Lettres du Benin Académie Nationale des Science, Arts, Lettres du Togo Académie Nationale des Sciences du Burkina (ANSB) Académie Nationale des Sciences et Technologies du Congo (ANSTC) Contact Us The NASAC Secretariat Miotoni Lane, Off Miotoni Road P. O. Box Karen Nairobi, Kenya Tel: / nasac@nasaconline.org Website: