A key feature of our time, as emphasized in this report, is the central role of science and technology (S&T) as generators of social and economic progress; they give rise to a capability to innovate, which is essential to a country's competitive position. Unfortunately, as also emphasized, many countries still lack such capability. Remedying that situation - creating or fortifying the S&T capacities of developing nations so that they may become serious participants in the world market - requires the broad intellectual commitments of leaders in the industrialized and developing nations alike. But to make these goals a reality, all should also commit themselves to building mechanisms for sufficient and sustainable funding.

Needless to say, the Study Panel believes that the overall levels of all official development assistance should be increased, and that the place of S&T capacity building should be secured among the priorities. Many exist-ing programs for fellowships, training, and education can be expanded, as can programs of support for universities in developing nations. In addition, there are many innovative approaches being explored in the domain of international funding for development. Debt-swaps involving either foreign loan principal or interest, already used in terms of debt for nature swaps, could also be explored for S&T capacity building, as could some of the debt relief programs for the heavily indebted poorest countries, helping them to address the special recommendations for these S&T-lagging countries. Out of many other possibilities, the Study Panel has selected the following suggestions for further elaboration.

<< Previous - [Page 42 of 95] - Next >>