There's less than two weeks to go before South Africa's premier science event, the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA), takes place from 4 to 6 December 2024 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) in Pretoria.
Co-hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa, the forum will explore the theme "Igniting conversations about science".
The three-day event will be preceded by numerous side events that will take place from 2 to 4 December and Minister Blade Nzimande will officially open the SFSA on 3 December.
As part of this prestigious event, the DSTI, in collaboration with key stakeholders, will host the Youth Breakfast Roundtable on 5 December 2024. This roundtable will provide a unique platform to amplify the voices of young thinkers in the context of the DSTI Decadal Plan 2022-2030 – a strategic framework aimed at achieving the goals of the 2019 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) White Paper.
The Decadal Plan emphasises inclusive growth, with a particular focus on STI-led measures to create jobs and drive local economic development. Over the next five years, the DSTI will prioritise the inclusion of key stakeholders, such as small businesses, youth and women, within the national system of innovation.
Some of the key measures outlined in the plan include increasing youth participating in STI and advancing innovation for local economic development and development planning.
Aligned to the principles of the DSTI Decadal Plan, the Youth Breakfast Roundtable is designed to foster meaningful dialogue between the youth and other stakeholders involved in youth development. Discussions will centre on the potential and challenges associated with rapid advancements in STI and their impact on socio-economic development.
Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and insights, offering recommendations for STI interventions that enhance youth development and empowerment. The roundtable will also provide an opportunity for young leaders to articulate their expectations of government and stakeholders, particularly regarding initiatives that address their challenges and support their aspirations.
The roundtable will feature a diverse panel of speakers, drawn from the SA Young Academy of Science, the World Bank's Belnasa Youth Forum, University of Pretoria Future Africa, Nka'Thuto EduPropeller NPO, Siemens, the EPF Tech Fund, the Technology Innovation Agency Grassroots Innovation Programme, mLabs, and the DSTI's Research Development and Support Programme.
The outcomes of the roudtable will directly contribute to the development of a large-scale, future-focused ministerial flagship mission, which is set to launch in 2025. This mission will consolidate and expand DSTI-supported initiatives to enhance the role of STI in youth development and empowerment.
As SFSA 2024 positions itself as one of the continent's leading platforms for science and innovation, the Youth Breakfast Roundtable is poised to inspire young minds, nurture their potential, and drive meaningful change. It represents a unique opportunity for participants to shape the future of STI in Africa and beyond.
