Putting the spark back into science

WE WELCOME the first Science Forum South Africa, an event which promises to bring the discussion of science, technology and innovation and their role in our world to the forefront of our attention.

In a packed programme, more than 1 500 participants from more than 50 organisations in South Africa and beyond, will participate in discussions moderated by some of our smartest scientific minds on a wide range of topics – from climate change to the problems facing modern society; and from the Square Kilometre Array to mysteries of hair colour.

Young achievers will be celebrated and there will be a focus on education and how we prepare children for careers which still don’t exist! There are outreach programmes and what promises to be a fascinating exhibition area with displays, among others, by embassies of their country’s contributions to the technologies we take for granted in our everyday lives.

In attendance are a number of acclaimed invited guests from other African countries and abroad including Professor Salim Abdool Karim, renown for his work in the fight against HIV-Aids.

The event is certainly not all theoretical, with demonstrations of 3D technology and the latest in the use of diagnostic tools for managing diseases in poor resource clinics, to name just two. There are numerous short lectures with the idea being to create a space where there is a lively flow of ideas and new relationships formed.

Tomorrow the focus is on how South Africa can use science, technology and innovation to meet the goals of the National Development Plan while the closing session will honour achievements in international scientific co-operation.

We will be there, bringing news over the next two days on all our platforms.

We are excited for this ground-breaking conference, and we trust from it will come not only more conversations about science, but greater use of science to resolve the problems around us.

Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor says the event is “public science” open to all for discussion and debate on the role of science in South Africa and African society, as well as globally.

The Science Forum content will be live at http://iol.io/scienceforum