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information with various institutions, especially with
those countries who are close to us geographically and
with whom we share many issues—in other words,
Asian countries. We are enhancing and deepening our
relationships with these countries.
intense debate at many international fora.
possible will take part in this competition and contribute
meaningful ideas for making science and technology a
foundation for partnership between Africa and Japan.
hydrogen fuel cells, and although it is not the only catalyst
in use, it is the catalyst of choice for the most promising
of the emerging developments, the proton exchange
membrane fuel cell. Japan, as is often the case, is one of
the nation’s leading this research.
new square kilometer array (SKA) telescope. This has knowledge systems. We recognize that large parts of
involved us building a 1% SKA demonstrator called the indigenous knowledge constitute a science, one that has
Karoo Array Telescope, which has enabled South African always been and continues to be the primary factor in
industry and academia to participate in the technology the survival and welfare of the majority of South Africans.
development process. We are optimistic that our bid Our present policy seeks to recognize this, to affirm it and
represents the most sensible proposition on the table. develop it, and to promote and protect the custodians and
practitioners of this knowledge.
Of course our country continues to lead the world in
the field of anthropology and paleoanthropology. The Most important of all is that we, who are privileged to
work at Sterkfontein, to the east of Johannesburg, lead this scientific fraternity of Africa, are duty-bound to
under the leadership of the extraordinary Prof. Phillip use our discoveries and our refinements for the benefit
Tobias, continues to rivet the attention of those who of all those who share the vast continent of Africa with
are concerned with the evolution of our South African us, and to share it through the good offices of the New
forefathers, who many observers now believe were Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). As
amongst the first hominids to inhabit this wonderful the most financially privileged member of the African
planet of ours. Sterkfontein has been the site of a major community, it is our solemn responsibility to shine the
excavation since 1966, and in that 40-year period, over bright light of hope on the often dark pathway of African
600 hominid fossils have been recovered, making the progress.
site the world’s richest single deposit for ancient hominid
remains. Consequently, we are impatient to increase our skills
levels and multiply the numbers of our scientists, and so
In the field of medical biotechnology, a team at the accelerate our journey. That is why we are so pleased
University of Pretoria’s Department of Veterinary and delighted by the A-JESC. Africa is a continent
Tropical Diseases at Onderstepoort has sequenced in search of inspiration, and there are few people as
and annotated the complete genome of the bacterium inspiring as the people of Japan. You have had more than
that causes the deadly Heartwater Disease, which has your fair share of hardship and you too have experienced
destroyed cattle, sheep, and goat herds throughout sub- helping hands extended to you from across vast oceans.
Saharan Africa for centuries. We hope that within five You have wonderfully and skillfully combined modernity
years, this breakthrough will result in an effective vaccine with tradition, and in many ways you have set the
that will bring an end to this dreadful scourge. This is the standard for life in the present age. How wonderful then
first entire sequencing of any organism that has been to be involved with you in a program that will result in
done in Africa. some of our best young people intermingling with one
another’s culture and scientific aims. It makes me want to
These are some—though by no means all—of the be a student again. On the other hand, I have the good
projects that are illuminating my country’s scientific fortune of being able to address you without having to
progress. Also worth mentioning is the ongoing African win a competition for the pleasure of doing so. We are all
Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme, in the course of hoping that this will be the beginning of something that
which the coelacanth—a fish that remained undetected will flower and flourish.
and unchanged for some 70 million years—was
discovered in the ocean off the coast of East London. It is Again, in this respect, I must pay homage to the efforts
the subject of intense study. put into these developments by Mr. Vuyani Lingela, who
as many of you know is the counselor for science and
I must not neglect to mention our promotion of indigenous technology at the South African Embassy in Japan. He
has worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome and we are
all particularly pleased to be identified with such a noble
enterprise.
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Stellenbosch. In 1999, since it was immediately after
I served as the minister of MEXT in Japan, I was
unfortunately not able to participate in the ceremony.
However, I was able to take part in the graduation
ceremony in 2004, and I was given the honorary
doctorate of science. I would like to extend my
deepest thanks to South Africa.
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exhaust from human beings is actually the cause of The real aspect, the truth, inside science and
global warming. technology is quite common for all human beings.
What is useful for the well-being of humans is quite
Even if this calculation is wrong, trying to come up universal. Let us establish a true peace in this world
with a solution when we find the true cause will be by using the advantages of science and technology.
too late. When we are facing a critical situation and To that end, young people are necessary; and this
decide to stop emitting CO 2, that will be too late. A-JESC, inviting high school students as well as
When it is still suspicious—and at least we already college and university students, gives a wonderful
have concrete proof and evidence that CO 2 is the opportunity for the young generation. I would like
cause—we must make efforts to deal with this. In to raise my voice and show strong approval for this
order to address such issues, we cannot solve such contest. With this, I would like to close my remarks.
problems with one country alone. All countries around Thank you all very much.
the world must cooperate in order to implement
solutions. Lingela: Thank you very much to Prof. Arima for the
very encouraging words.
In order to seek the sustainable development of this
Earth, I believe it is indispensable for Japan and the We are again privileged to have one of the speakers
African nations to cooperate. This is my belief. There who can address us this evening. The speaker is Dr.
are certain aspects where Japan excels, such as in Kiyoshi Kurokawa. Dr. Kurokawa is the president of
the area of industrialization. At the same time, we the Science Council of Japan. I must confess that
have had very sad experiences, such as the nerve when I first heard Dr. Kurokawa speak, the energy
damage caused by Minamata Disease, which was coming from him was indeed translated to me and
caused by mercury in industrial waste. Soil pollution, many other people. I am truly convinced that you will
air pollution—these are also other examples of sad also feel the energy of Dr. Kurokawa. Just a brief
experiences of Japan, and these are things that other word: Dr. Kurokawa is a medical doctor. He practiced,
countries should not experience again. This kind of researched, and worked in the United States for
success and failure that Japan has experienced in the many, many years, including at the University of
course of industrialization is something that I would California. He is currently the professor at the Institute
like people from the African nations to understand and of Medical Sciences at Tokai University. Ladies and
learn from. gentlemen, I would like you to experience the energy
from Dr. Kurokawa. Thank you.
On the other hand, there are other things that the
African nations excel at. Agriculture is an example
and the way in which industrialization is pursued is
another example. I believe Japan must learn more
proactively, in that regard. By understanding science
and technology, Japan and the African nations should
be able to rely on each other, overcoming differences
in race and forgetting cultural and religious
differences. I think this is the first step in establishing
peace worldwide and I think this would definitely
contribute to establishing such a world. This is what I
have been thinking for a long time.
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accumulation of indigenous knowledge, the human
population on Planet Earth reached 1.6 billion. A
hundred years later, the world population has now
surpassed 6 billion; and it is expected to reach 9
billion by 2050.
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few years as the aggregate to deliver and engage who may not live that long in this new century. But
the decision-making processes, addressing global what will be our legacy, knowing what is happening
issues. right now and what is going to happen in the coming
few decades? For example, the first patient with
Ten years after the first World Summit on Sustainable AIDS was seen in 1981 in Los Angeles. I was
Development in Rio de Janeiro, there was the working in one of the UCLA hospitals, so I saw
world summit in Johannesburg in 2002, and in fact some of the first few patients and I know that. But
Prime Minister Koizumi pledged that the Japanese also everybody knows, since this is a knowledge-
government would commit substantial funds for based society, that already 20 million people have
education for people in the developing world. In fact, died of AIDS and now you know 40 million people
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural are suffering from AIDS and HIV, 70% live in sub-
Organization (UNESCO) launched a Decade of Saharan Africa, and 75% of those in sub-Saharan
Education for Sustainable Development last year, with Africa between ages 15 and 24 who are positive for
a special emphasis on education for girls. The World HIV/AIDS are women. That is a tragedy. You know
Trade Organization (WHO) has launched a mission that.
for the Social Determinants of Health, recognizing that
this is not a medical issue; this is a social issue. In fact, What would be your responsibility? To interact with
consistent with the Millennium Development Goals, your policymakers and make something happen. If
led by Jeffrey Sachs, eradicating poverty, the goal we know the impact of climate change and African
will be set at 2015. These are the concerted efforts of issues, engage with policymakers and world
responsible global citizens. leaders, because this is a political decision. The
science community has a neutral position, and as an
The Science Council of Japan was instrumental aggregate of the science community, we sometimes
to the launch of the Science Council of Asia, have to make political commitments. In fact,
which focuses on sustainable development for a that happened last year. Exactly a year ago, last
prosperous, harmonious, and greener Asia and January, Tony Blair made a historical speech in the
on delivering policy recommendations under this Davos meeting about our generation’s legacy to the
theme. Also, the Science Council of Asia was one future. What will it be? Because as Dr. Arima stated
of the signatories for the Ubuntu Declaration, during already, we know what may be happening on climate
the Johannesburg Summit, which emphasized that change and greenhouse gases. But are we going to
we scientists are not merely scientists but also make something happen? Take action? Otherwise,
educators. Therefore, in the UN document, there is 50 years later, our grandchildren and their children
a major stakeholder in the scientific community and could say that our generation knew what was going
educators. In addition, we launched a joint study to happen, but did not take any action. Is that how
panel with the Royal Society last year, addressing our generation will be remembered forever? Do
nanotechnology and its potential and potential risks, you want to be representing this generation, to be
particularly for the environment and health, and also remembered as an irresponsible generation, leaving
with the National Academy of Science in the United climate change and the environment in such a
States on science and technology on national misery for the future generations? Can we do that?
securities, and we focused on censors and censor
systems.
But I think the legacy of our generation—many of Second is also Tony Blair’s, is also Africa’s issues.
you who lived many years in the last century and Some 50 years ago, the gross domestic product
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and economic power in the Asia Pacific and Africa in February 2004, under the title of “Inventing a
were almost comparable. But 50 years later, what Better Future: A Strategy for Building Worldwide
is the difference? Why is it? Again, unless we take Capacities in Science and Technology.” There
some action now, 50 years later our generation will are specific policy recommendations at different
be remembered as the generation leaving Africa as levels of economic power for each country, and we
it was—which is crazy. Therefore, at last year’s G8 request that each leader makes certain decisions
summit in Gleneagle, Tony Blair made these two after reading this. Also, we had four independent
issues—climate change and Africa—his cause. workshops in different parts of Africa. The second
report from the IAC is “Realizing the Promise
In fact, because of this, we G8 academies worked and Potential of African Agriculture: Science and
together and delivered a joint statement on climate Technology Strategies for Improving Agricultural
change (in your handout) and another one on Productivity and Food Security in Africa.” This was
Africa. We helped develop the African Academies commissioned by Kofi Annan.
Network, which has become a core signatory on
this African issue. Through this document from the So, we have been working together, engaging and
science community, the G8 political leaders worked delivering decision-makers’ policy choices, based
together and got the communiqué in early July. on the best science available at the moment. With
Obviously climate change has a signatory of head this background, I am particularly moved by this
of also academy of Brazil and China and India, initiative of the speech contest, which is another
because they are also very significant partners form and framework for future generatio n s to
for these issues. With these statements and the engage and get to know each other and exchange
G8 communiqué, now we worked through the some thoughts and ideas. Although it may look very
Millennium Development Goals at the Millennium small, it is a very important step forward. Japan
Summit of last September at the UN in New York has to make more commitments to our neighbors
C i t y. A l s o , t h e y r e c o g n i z e d , i n t h i s d o c u m e n t and also many other parts of the world, because
of science, technology, and innovation, the G8 Japan has been the number two economic power
academy’s leadership, which is a very important and because we really have to invest in our future
step. Although it may look small, we are serious generations. Forming partnerships, wherever they
about our commitment. may be, will enhance the credibility of Japan as a
nation and help Japan become a part of the helping
This year, I think it will be the first time Russia hands for future global citizens.
hosts the G8 summit, so we are working with the
Russian academy on what kind of statement and To conclude my brief presentation, this is another
engagement we can develop in the coming few welcoming science for globalization and narrowing
months. the north-south disparity, knowing 20% of the
world population is still living in poverty, on $1 or
All right, so the future lies with our children and less per day. I have been working with various
grandchildren and their friends. Therefore, the leaders in African countries and, in fact, under
InterAcademy Council (IAC), which became a major the International Council for Science (ICSU). The
signatory of this UN document—in this small, back ICSU vice president is now one of my good friends,
page, there are two reports by the IAC. I think their Dr. Mokhele of the African science academy. He
website is listed. The first paper was delivered to is an outstanding biological scientist and we are
Kofi Annan in New York, at the UN headquarters, working with various academies and trying to build
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academic institutions in various parts of Africa and Lingela: Thank you very much, Dr. Kurokawa.
Asia. In fact, the ICSU is now opening a regional
office in South Africa and an Asia-Pacific office in We are indeed privileged to welcome Dr. John Mugabe,
Kuala Lumpur. We will try to reach out and address who is an advisor of science and technology to NEPAD.
the relevant issues, work together to develop the Dr. Mugabe has done a lot of work in Africa and outside of
capacity for future generations, so that our legacy Africa on agricultural and environmental issues concerning
will become at least more reasonable, and take countries outside of Africa and within Africa. Dr. Mugabe
action. When the future generation looks back 50 will introduce to us this evening and highlight: Africa’s
years from now, they will see we did something Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action. I
meaningful, so they could share the resources we would now like to welcome Dr. Mugabe. Thank you.
have provided on this Planet Earth.
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I am not going to go into the details of this plan. The
document is at least 50 pages and is available for those
who want to look at it. But I just want to emphasize the
process that Africa used to generate the plan and some
of the objectives for the plan, and then end by giving
you a sense of how Africa is starting to implement this
particular plan.
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knowledge and related technologies—so there are in knowledge economy if Africa is only a consumer of
fact technological opportunities for Africa to use to solve science and innovations from other parts of the world.
Africa’s problems.
To achieve these two goals, in February 2003 in
But there are also still barriers. Africa still has barriers Johannesburg, under the leadership of His Excellency
to scientific and technological development. If Africa Dr. Ngubane, a process was initiated. Let me just give
does not remove those barriers, it is not going to tie up you a sense of the nature of this process. It was agreed
the new opportunities, both technological and political. upon that this process must be participatory and bottom-
Those barriers include the absence of specific science, up and that for Africa’s science and technology plan of
technology, and innovation policies. In many countries, action to make a difference, it must be a plan made not
again, there is a lack of demonstrative commitment to just by a few scientists but by consultants, by donors—
investing in science and technology. Many countries it must be one that is designed by as many Africans as
at the national level have not set specific science and possible, mobilizing the diversity of Africa. Thus, the
technology priorities. The plan that I will be introducing to process was put in place. It has been a participatory
you aims, to a large extent, at addressing some of these process, bottom-up, involving consultations at national
barriers. levels, regional workshops, and continental conferences.
This process has also been knowledge-based. In the
African leaders have written in the NEPAD framework past, attempts at developing science and technology
two specific science and technology goals, and those plans were ad hoc and relied on consultants; there were
are that Africa must be a continent that harnesses and no efforts made to understand Africa’s capacities, Africa’
applies science and technology for its development. s own opportunities.
Africa cannot rely on the rest of the world to mobilize
science and to apply that science to solving Africa’ The process that we have been involved in has
s problem. Africa must take the initiative. Africa must been knowledge based. We sent out questionnaires
go out and acquire science and related innovations. to all African countries and many institutions. We
The second goal within the NEPAD framework is that commissioned at least 50 background studies on a
Africa must also be a continent that contributes to global range of issues—indigenous knowledge, intellectual
science and innovations. Africa cannot be politically protection, biodiversity needs, conservation needs. We
assertive and Africa cannot integrate itself in the global had national submissions. The process has had and
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continues to have a high level of political engagement. collective action, focusing on common challenges. This
In November 2003, the African Ministerial Council on is not going to work if just a few African countries get
Science and Technology (AMCOST) was established, involved for their own individual, national benefits; Africa
bringing together African ministers responsible for must come together with a collective focus on shared
science and technology. This higher-level group has in challenges. Thus, it has been one that is owned, the
fact overseen the development of the plan. There is a process and the products.
steering committee of permanent secretaries or director
generals, who frequently now look at the implementation Another important principle is adding value to existing
of the plan of action. initiatives and efforts. It was clear from the beginning that
this should not just be, again, another African initiative
The process has not been a closed process. It has been that is going to duplicate what has been done by original
an open process, drawing on international partners. and continental institutions. Emphasis has been on the
For example, in January 2005 we had the UK-Canada- process and a plan that adds new value to what Africa
Africa partnership workshop, essentially to draw on the has already been building, and on prior progress, to
international community in preparing the plan of action. ensure that there is maximum learning, that we do not
This process has also created new partnerships, like the start from scratch. Africa has foundations for scientific
France-NEPAD partnership on water sciences. It has and technological developments, so the emphasis has
been a learning process. What the leaders agreed was been on building on those foundations. There are a
that they do not want just to set priorities that are custom number of other principles that have guided the process.
installed. It has been a learning process. Priorities have
been adjusted. Let me quickly introduce to you what I would consider
the pillars of the plan of action. The first is knowledge
The process has been guided by a number of principles. production and use. It is very clear that if Africa does not
I just want to outline five of them. One important principle invest in the production of scientific knowledge, Africa
is African ownership. As I stated before, in the past the is not going to be able to address its problems. Some
agenda has not been set by Africa; the plans have not of the problems are very peculiar to Africa and Africa in
been signed by Africa. This time around, the leaders fact requires new knowledge to address those problems.
stressed that this must be an African-owned process. A second pillar is skills. For Africa to see advances
It is a process that has been guided by the principle of in scientific and technological areas, Africa needs to
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create skills in a range of areas. Africa also needs to outdated. Through this plan of action, African countries
mobilize its past skills. Africa needs to efficiently use its want to focus on improving infrastructure for research
skills; so, again, emphasis on skills as a pillar. The third and development.
pillar is policy conditions. From the beginning, African
countries recognized that if they do not improve various I have referred to skills creation. The other objective
science, technology, and innovation policies, they are in the plan of action is that Africa this time must turn
not going to see differences, in terms of scientific and knowledge into products. Research has been conducted
technological development. Many African countries lack in African institutions by African scientists, but that
science and technology policies. Of the few countries research stays on the shelf in the form of publications.
that have science and technology policies, most of In this plan, African countries are putting emphasis on
those policies are outdated; so, emphasis on improving innovation, so innovation is one of the core objectives of
policy conditions. The fourth pillar is strong institutions. the consolidated plan. I referred to improving policies—
Without strong science institutions, Africa is not going to science, technology, and innovation policies. Another key
see any scientific and technological development; Africa objective is creating demand for science and technology.
is not going to be able to use emerging technological To a large extent, African institutions have been
opportunities to solve its problems. The emphasis is on engaged in what one would call a science push, trying
improving institutions. The fifth pillar is regional diversity. to essentially get science out there without pronounced
Africa has diversity of different kinds and Africa needs demand. The emphasis this time is to ensure this
to use that diversity to harness and apply science and pronounced demand for science and technology.
technology.
In the plan, there are five clusters for flagship
The objectives of the plan that African countries have programs. These programs were adopted by ministers
collectively designed are out there. The first and responsible for science and technology at their first
probably the most important is infrastructure for research meeting. I am not going to go into the details. Each
and development. When designing the consultative plan, cluster has very specific projects. Just to give you a
we found out that many of our countries had actually sense, the first cluster—biodiversity, biotechnology,
ignored the infrastructure for science and technology. If and indigenous knowledge—has two ongoing projects
you go to universities, the laboratories are in a very bad being implemented by African countries collectively.
state. You go to science councils and the equipment is The first project is called Biosciences Initiative, which
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is networking life science laboratories on the continent. going to enable African countries to map out science and
There are four hubs that have been identified on the innovation activities in Africa. Very few African countries
continent. Scientists are working in those hubs in the actually know what science is being conducted by their
laboratories, addressing very specific African problems. own institutions, what innovations are being generated
For example, the southern African hub is focusing on use either by their public institutions or private companies.
of indigenous knowledge to address HIV/AIDS—they are African countries do not know each other in terms of
what are called opportunistic infections, which can easily science and technology, and these initiatives are aimed
be addressed using existing knowledge. In East and at coming up with what we are calling African Innovation
Central Africa there is work going on on bioinformatics; Outlook. There is a group that is already working on
without a knowledge base on bioinformatics, Africa is not the indicators. They have had several meetings. These
going to be able to use its biological resources. initiatives are in partnership with a number of other
countries, particularly Canada.
Under the biodiversity program, there is an initiative to
generate taxonomists. We found out, during the process, There are other activities related to policy. For example,
that Africa has less than 100 active taxonomists. Without the biodiversity strategy. African heads of state and
taxonomists, you will not be able to know which plant government, African presidents, asked NEPAD and the
species you have, the uses of those species, which AU commission to create a higher level of funding of
ecologists… The aim that African countries have set is to biotechnology. There is a panel that is already advising
have in the next five years at least 100 more taxonomists countries on how to handle issues associated with
at the PhD level. Those taxonomists will be given money genetic modification and genetically modified products.
to engage in taxonomy work. There are a number of That panel is engaged at a very high level, at the
other programs, but I am not going to go into the project ministerial and presidential level, addressing some of the
details today. controversial issues associated with trade in genetically
modified crops or food generally.
In addition to the flagship programs, the ministers also
agreed on six policy-related programs. Those are now Technology parks—as I stated from the beginning, this
planned out there. Let me just make some statements time, Africa should not just produce science; it must turn
on the first, which is the Africa Science, Technology, and that science into products. We are starting a process for
Innovation Indicators Initiative. This is an initiative that is establishing technology parks. Last week, we finalized
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an agreement with the Government of Finland to assist will be very difficult to turn science into products. There
Africa to have at least five technology parks in each of is also emphasis on existing centers. This time, Africa is
the regions of Africa, where African scientists are going discouraging the international community from investing
to start turning science into specific products. There in brick-and-mortars. In the past, a lot of emphasis went
is a high-level mechanism to ensure the goals are into structures, but there were no concrete outputs
realized and the programs are efficiently and effectively from these structures. The emphasis this time is to use
implemented. existing institutions and to strengthen those institutions.
I referred to AMCOST before. This is the first time that The plan has a very specific budget set and agreed
African countries have had such a body focusing on upon. Over the next five years, Africa countries will
science and technology. The first two years of this body’ take a modest budget, one that without international
s existence, South Africa was the chair. Senegal has contributions, African countries can contribute to and
been chairing since September of last year. AMCOST cover: a maximum of US$200 million over the next five
interacts directly with the heads of state and government. years to implement the projects that are in the plan of
The next AU Summit in January 2007 is going to be action. The sources are determined. First of all, African
dedicated to science and technology. We are told that countries will put in their own resources—and there is a
this is probably the first time that, at the AU level, heads process to mobilize Africa’s own resources to implement
of state and government are going to be addressing the the plan. In the long term, beyond 2010, the aim is to
issues of science and technology. There are a number of have an endowment of at least US$10 billion. To sustain
other bodies responsible for implementation. In the plan the momentum, to continue to improve infrastructure,
of action, the responsibilities of each are spelled out. to generate innovations, Africa will need to build an
endowment of at least US$10 billion. African countries
We rely on existing institutions. For each of the program have agreed on a mechanism for mobilizing and
areas, we have what we are calling hubs and nodes— developing that US$10 billion.
these are networks of institutions that have been carefully
identified to focus on implementing specific projects. This is around what is being called the African
We ensure that each network has at least universities Science and Innovation Facility, which is going to be
and industries involved. Without universities, capacity an institutional mechanism for mobilizing financial
building is not going to take place. Without industries, it resources; ensuring that the resources are efficiently
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utilized and also mobilizing technical resources, directing
those to the networks of centers of excellence; and
monitoring the implementation of the plan of action.
In short, there is a plan that African countries have
collectively designed. They are involved now in the
implementation. They are mobilizing their own domestic
resources and starting to work with international
partners. Toward the end of this year, they are going to
be launching Africa’s Science and Innovation Facility,
which is going to be an institutional mechanism for
implementation of the plan of action. Thank you.
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a remarkable move away from science among people,
particularly among the young. Thus, there is now
much debate on how best to raise the understanding
and interest of the public, so as to involve them in the
implementation of science and technology policies.
From this perspective, I believe it is highly significant
that one of the stated objectives of the contest is
“to promote public understanding of science and
technology for sustainable development.”
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also, the A-JESC is highly significant. Participation in whole, opening the way to the future. I believe it is
the project is expected to raise the interest in science science and technology no less that is the bedrock for
and technology of young people in African countries such knowledge.
and Japan and lend support to the promotion of Africa-
Japan cooperation. Based on the thinking I have just outlined, a proposal
for the Third Science and Technology Basic Plan
Next, I will talk about the Third Science and Technology was presented to the government by the CSTP on
Basic Plan in Japan. In our country, science and 27 December of last year. I would now like to briefly
technology policies are formulated based on the introduce the content of this proposal.
science and technology basic plan for five years. The
groundwork is currently being laid for the Third Science First, I would like to explain the fundamental concept of
and Technology Basic Plan, which will begin from the the basic policies. The basic stances are to “promote
next fiscal year, from this April. Under the First and science and technology to be supported by the public
Second Science and Technology Basic Plans, Japan’ and to benefit society” and “emphasize the fostering
s standing in terms of both quality and quantity of of human resources and the competitive research
research papers, for example, has risen, thanks to environment.” The keywords of the second basic
cumulative investment up until now. Consequently, stance are “shift of emphasis from ‘hard’ to ‘soft,’ such
Japan has had a large number of research as human resources” and “greater significance of
achievements that lead the world in their respective individuals at institutions.”
fields.
The third basic plan sets more concrete and easily
As a result of this progress, Japan has increased understood policy objectives that clearly outline the
investment in government research and development, aims of science and technology. This is so as to enable
compared with other policy budgets, over these past the realization of three principles—creating human
10 years, despite prolonged economic stagnation— wisdom, maximizing human potential, and protecting
a move for which I believe our government deserves the nation’s health and security—based on such factors
to be commended. There are now a growing number as future outlooks, and internal and external exchanges
of examples of the fruits of this investment being regarding science and technology, the economy, and
industrialized. Despite this, however, there are those society. Under concrete goals such as these policy
who say that in general, it is difficult to see how the objectives, consideration is also being given to the
fruits of this investment in science and technology enhancement of public understanding of science and
are being returned to the general public and society. technology as well as the promotion of international
Moreover, we cannot overlook the fact that international activities.
competition in science and technology has being
growing more intense than anticipated during the Next I will talk about the enhancement of public
Second Science and Technology Basic Plan. We have understanding of science and technology. It is no
entered the age of the worldwide mega-competition for exaggeration to say that science and technology
knowledge. Here, what we must consider is sustainable activities and systems are not independent from society
development and harmonized development on a global or the general public but can only be developed with the
level. widespread support of society and the general public.
Promotion of science and technology to be supported
Amidst all this, the question of how to create knowledge by the public and to benefit society is a stance that
holds the key to our society and humankind, as a upholds the Third Science and Technology Basic Plan.
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It is important that various agents, including the CSTP, the promotion of science and technology—in particular,
related government ministries, local public authorities, science and technology—and therefore our future
research institutions, and individual researchers, work depends largely on the leaders of the next generation.
on various levels to gain the understanding of the
general public regarding the promotion of science and Thank you very much for your attention.
technology.
Lingela: Thank you very much to Prof. Abe for a very
Next is the strategic promotion of international activities. uplifting presentation. We have few minutes available
The third basic plan emphasizes strategic international to us, before we can ask His Excellency to close the
measures to resolve internationally common problems occasion. But in the meantime, I would like any question
and respond to the expectations of other countries. that might relate to this occasion. Our honorable
Such measures include the systematic implementation Ambassador, Dr. Nugabe, is available to respond to any
of international efforts. In concrete terms, this means question. If there is any question, the Ambassador is
aiming for three things: available.
・ Utilizing Japan’s science and technology strengths We would like to ask the Honorable Ambassador Godfrey
to resolve internationally common problems and Simasiku, who is a very active member of this A-JESC.
respond to international requests and expectations, Because of the Ambassador, Zambia is a key partner
thus further raising Japan’s credibility. also participating in this speech competition. On that note,
・ Contr ibuting to the for mation of international I would like to ask the Ambassador to say a few words,
standards and r ules regarding scienc e and Thank you, Ambassador.
technology through our initiatives.
・ Both training Japanese researchers to a world- class
level and accepting top-class researchers from
overseas to increase research diversity and raise
research levels, thus strengthening Japan’s science
and technology capacity for the future of Japan and
humankind.
Conclusion: In this way, Japan’s science and technology
policies in the future will focus on such issues as
increasing the understanding of the general public,
returning the fruits of research to society, and promoting
international activities. From this perspective also, the
A-JESC is expected to bear an abundance of fruit.
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we have heard Africa speak this evening. You have
heard from SADC. Those voices represent Africa,
finally.
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of my I do remember a conference in Senegal. The theme
colleagues, to pay special tribute to the speakers was the competitiveness of African economies.
that have been here, with very, very glowing tribute Ministers of finance met at that conference. What
indeed in their professions, very knowledgeable is there that is a setback, a major constraint, today
people, deep knowledge, a lot of experience. Also, is the lack of science and technology. I think this
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is an important point that we have reached today. Honorable colleagues, Your Excellencies, I want
Dr. Kurokawa was saying, it may look small but— to say once more, as we go home tonight, let
I want to the words of Neil Armstrong, more than us remember to bring along those who have not
40 decades ago. When he, as the first man to step been privileged to be with us here. What we were
on the moon, was coming out of his capsule, we listening to tonight could have filled one of those
did not know whether the moon would support his audiences, one of those lecture theatres holding
weight. But he had that task. As his boot touched 2,000 people, 3,000 people. But I think it is not the
the moon’s earth, he said, it is a small step by numbers; it is the spirit. I am sure we will pick up
man, but a giant step for mankind. Indeed this can from what you have given us tonight. The challenge
be a very small step, but we think this is the big is so great, so intense, the colleagues in SADC,
step that will help to redeem our countries, our who are in the SADC Committee, will do everything
regions, our continent. possible to ensure that our governments also do
play a role for the subsequent competitions that will
I want to mention what you also did mention here, be there, so that the numbers can also increase.
Dr. Kurokawa. In the next 50 years, what will our You have given us a big challenge, Honorable
children and our grandchildren say about this Mugabe, and we will rise up to this occasion.
generation, about us? Martin Luther King said, I do For next year’s national budget, we are going to
not know what the future holds, but I do know who push and knock, because it is not for us that we
holds the future. Really, we are intrinsically caught are going to do this; it is for our people. We have
in this. We have to act; and I think this is the first heard when Dr. Mugabe was speaking… We have
step that we are taking. seen loss of produce in our countries, agricultural
produce. People work so hard, they do not use
I also want to mention the very journey that we technology; they use their hands to produce the
are starting on here today. I want to pay special food. At the end of the day, 20% of it is lost to
tribute to the South African government, through pests, etc. Cheap technology can change their
His Excellency Ambassador Mugabe, whom we living standards, can change their style. Through
have been told really is the architect, when he technology, we can improve on our production of
was minister of science and technology. Maybe goods, make our goods competitive, increase the
we could also request, through our AU structure. volumes, and be meaningful in trade.
I do not know, in those structures, how much
science and technology is featuring now. But from That brings us to Japan, promoting today one
experience, I think it is important, if we have to village, one product. Dr. Mugabe, you did mention
meet all that has been put here for the ministries of d i v e r s i t y. I w o u l d l i k e a l s o t o a d d a v e r y b i g
science and technology, their hierarchy in cabinet, contribution that Mr. Nyide has put toward policy
their budgetary allocations, to be raised as much direction. You have done your part. Now, one
and as far as possible. Short of that, in 10 years’ village, one product. It will not have to be the best
time, when we take stock, there will not be much of all. We have a small economy. We do not have
that would have been made. For the young people many resources. But I think the whole concept is
who are going to respond to these competitions, to help what you have, do it well, efficiently, send
who have ideas they want to express, without it out; then we will be contributing toward solving
budgetary support in our countries, theirs will only poverty levels of Africa by 50% by the year 2015,
remain mere pipe dreams. by reducing poverty levels, through what our
people can produce; and science and technology
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really is an answer to all this that we think can help Lingela: The Ambassador said it all. I cannot say
us. more, only that this is the closing. Thank you very
much for your attendance.
In concluding my remarks, I must mention that I
would have read a speech, but I find that would
be justice to us all. I think we want to rise to the
occasion, as we heard it, as we saw it happen.
What should we do? Otherwise, we will drain
ourselves and then time waits for no one. I want
to thank University of Tokyo once more for all that
they have done, in giving us this venue and making
the arrangements that have made it possible for us
to be here tonight.
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