As the year steamrolls ahead, we are fast approaching the first ever African Science Communication Conference.

48 abstracts from 19 countries

Abstracts have been received from 19 countries, and representation ranges – from Russia to Mauritius, to Senegal, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Topics range from best practice case studies, developing visual stimuli, encouraging dialogue, ICT strategies, involving parents, language and literacy; to how effective communication improves scientific research.

Deadline extended to 22 September!

The South African Agency for Science & Technology Advancement (SAASTA) is still receiving requests to submit abstracts and has agreed to extend the deadline to 22 September 2006.

Says ASCC programme coordinator Andrea Bandelli: “We are pleasantly surprised at the scope and reach of the abstracts. Reading through all the applications really gives one a good sense of how science communication has developed around the world. The challenge, and main reason for hosting this conference, is how to combine these great efforts and strengthen collaborations between so-called developed and developing worlds.”

“We have high expectations of the Science-in-Society / Society-in-Science African Forum and see this really as a springboard from which science communication will leapfrog across Africa and other countries that share similar challenges.

“Port Elizabeth is the place to be in December! Come and share ideas, learn and gather ingredients from those with winning recipes. We are, after all, working towards a similar goal – bringing science closer to society and vice versa,” says Beverley Damonse, executive director of SAASTA.

In building a case for science communication that responds to the needs of Africa; the conference will ask questions such as:

• How do we highlight the value of Africa’s unique assets in science and technology?
• How do we promote Indigenous Knowledge Systems as areas of research?
• How do we integrate public engagement in research and science policy in Africa?
• How do we build a case for science communication as an essential tool for African researchers and policy makers?
• What are the most effective methods to achieve public engagement with science and technology?