Workshop on broad-based innovations to address socio-economic challenges faced by South Africa

27 February 2009, 09:00Â 16:00, CSIR conference centre

The NACI workshop, Broad-based innovations to address socio-economic challenges faced by South Africa was hailed as very timely by the delegates. The key objective of the workshop was to generate strategies for broad-based innovations relevant to socio-economic development.

In his opening address, the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena encouraged participants to think about how South Africa could use innovation to nurture more, and more focused innovation to address the country’s many socio-economic challenges. Other speakers focussed on: The cultures of innovation (Prof Andrew Jamison, Aalborg University, Denmark), Mental models and successful innovation (Mr Gordon Butte & Ms Sarah Thorne, Decision Partners, USA), Community-based innovations from informal sector perspective (Prof Hassan Kaya, North West University) and Formal sector perspectives on broad-based innovations (Ms Marjorie Pyoos, DST)

There was broad agreement among speakers, lead-in discussants and break-away groups that

• A new approach to the process of innovation is critical as a basis for socio-economic development in South Africa
• Social factors underlying innovation need to be understood for innovation to succeed
• An orientation of partnership should be fostered between the first and second economy as innovation role players
• An openness to potential innovations emanating from the second economy

A total of 112 participants were drawn from government departments, science councils, universities, funding and development agencies, research-based institutions and the private sector.

One of the outcomes of the workshop will be the production of a discussion document. The discussion document – and responses to it – will form a basis for NACI to develop an advice that will be presented to the Minister of Science and Technology.