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Inventing a Better Future
1. The urgency to promote worldwide science and technology capacity
2. Science, technology, and society
3. Expanding human resources
4. Creating world-class research institutions
5. Engaging the public and private sectors
6. Targeted funding of research and training efforts
7. From ideas to impacts: coalitions for effective action
Annex A: Endorsement InterAcademy Panel
Annex B: Agendas for major actors in building science and technology capacity
Agenda for S&T-proficient and S&T-developing countries
Agenda for S&T-lagging countries
Agenda for S&T-advanced countries
Agenda for United Nations agencies and regional intergovernmental organizations
Agenda for educational, training, and research institutions
Agenda for national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine
Agenda for national, regional, and international S&T organizations
Agenda for international development-assistance organizations
Agenda for foundations
Agenda for local, national, and international private sectors (for-profit entities)
Agenda for nongovernmental organizations
Agenda for the media
Annex C: Study panel biographies
Annex D: Glossary
Annex E: Acronyms and abbreviations
Annex F: Selected bibliography
Executive Summary
Front Matter
Notes


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Agenda for S&T-advanced countries

This category includes countries with scientific and technological strength in most research areas and a substantial S&T enterprise in personnel, infrastructure, investment, institutions, and regulatory framework.

1. Support research and development efforts in developing nations that address local and global needs

  • S&T-advanced countries should provide financial support and collaboration for creating centers of excellence in developing nations - whether of local, national, regional, or international status. In particular, bilateral scientific and technological agreements between S&T-advanced and S&T-proficient countries should provide for participation by scientists and engineers from neighboring S&T-developing and S&T-lagging countries.
  • International financial support and participation are required for creation of virtual networks of excellence (VNE) - research programs jointly sponsored and conducted by research institutes in different geographical locations, with research personnel communicating and collaborating primarily via new technologies such as the internet and the World Wide Web, deemed by merit review to be of the highest international quality in personnel, infrastructure, and research output.
  • Research in developing nations should be supported through the following programs:
    • Research grants for poor-country diseases,
    • Support for global health initiatives,
    • Tax incentives to major companies for working in these countries and for supporting automatic licensing and other initiatives.
  • S&T-advanced countries should participate in a conference of international community of donors to review the concept of a global fund for science and, if they agree to it, help form a steering group to develop the funding mechanisms necessary for implementation. They should also play leadership roles in related projects that come to pass.

2. Share information and experiences in benefit/risk assessments of new technologies

  • Share experience and information with scientifically developing nations about the benefits and risks of new technologies and the standardization of risk assessments. Each nation involved in the development, production, or use of new technologies, such as those deriving from biotechnology, should have the means for assessing and managing their benefits and risks. Governments should therefore ensure that expert scientific advice is available from regional or international sources not only to assure effective adoption of new technologies but to facilitate implementation of public health, human safety, and environmental guidelines or regulations associated with their potential side-effects.

3. Support the education and training of S&T professionals in developing nations

  • International support for technology professionals and doctoral programs in the developing nations' best universities should be increased by offering long-term fellowships with adequate stipends to deserving young people from the industrialized nations who wish to do their training or at least spend some time in centers of excellence there. As an integral part of this experience, visiting professors from industrialized nations should help raise the level of courses and participate in exams and thesis defenses.
  • Special fellowships or grants should be supported - by governments or private institutions - that are designed to provide adequate research support and income supplements to outstanding young scientists from the industrialized nations who work in developing nations for a period of time. Such special treatment may require local institutional flexibility, but it would be amply justified by the fundamental benefit of stimulating and retaining the local talent.

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