Science Forum South Africa sessions call for proposals
SCIENCE FORUM SOUTH AFRICA 2023 CALL FOR PROPOSALS
DATE: 6-8 DECEMBER 2023
VENUE: CSIR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE. PRETORIA
1. Science Forum South Africa
The South African Department of Science and Innovation and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa are proud to co-host the Science Forum South Africa on 6-8 December 2023 in Pretoria, at the CSIR International Convention Centre.
SFSA 2023 will serve as a public platform for “igniting conversations about science”
Theme of the SFSA 2023
“Igniting Conversations about Science” - People, Partnerships, Priorities for implementation of the decadal Plan.
As we continue to grapple with some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, food security, health, energy, etc, there is an increasingly important role that platforms such as the SFSA play for debating these topics. Science knows no borders. Both nationally and globally we need our collective resources, to work together to address these challenges, across disciplines, regions and sectors, enabling solutions that transcend boundaries.
The SFSA continues to serve as a platform to:
• stimulate a vibrant debate on the role of science, technology and innovation in society;
• to promote international science, technology and innovation partnerships; and
• to create a network platform for key science, technology and innovation actors, including senior government leaders, academics, scientists, industry,civil society, and students.
This years edition of the SFSA is being co-hosted by the DSI and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa. The Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa, at the CSIR, was initiated by South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Part of the objectives of this platform is to promote science diplomacy, to network and share ideas, which is aligned with the overall objectives of the SFSA.
The 2023 programme of SFSA will provide a vibrant, provocative and stimulating programme, including eight parallel sessions and talks, with the primary aim to ignite conversations about science. It will bring together a diverse range of speakers and participants, including scientists, policy-makers, industry, science communicators, students as well as civil society. SFSA will also engage with the international community on many of the conversations.
2. Open Thematic Sessions
The 2023 edition of SFSA will provide an opportunity for individuals and institutions to apply to organise thematic sessions to be included into the main programme.
The program will consist of 8 thematic tracks.
•7 December
4 sessions (09:00 – 10:30; 11:00 – 12:30; 13:30 – 15:00;
15:30 – 17:00) per track
• 8 December
1 session (09:00 – 10:30) per track
The following are tracks in which proposals for sessions should be made.
The Future of Society- technology and democracy
This track will focus on areas that will shape the way we engage with emerging technologies (AI, etc) and the need to have systems in place that facilitate access. Topics for discussion could possibly include disruptions that these technologies may bring from a positive perspective, some of the associated risks to society, regulatory, governance frameworks, democracy and access. In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
STI – enabling inclusive and sustainable development
Building on the need for facilitating inclusive development, bring together all of society to make an impact on peoples’ lives through STI will be the focus of this track. Sustainable development cuts across all sectors, and this segment is intended to promote conversations across sectors that use STI to make a positive impact at grassroots level, nationally as well as globally. Examples of topics in this subtheme could also include climate change, environmental sustainability as well as the circular economy. In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
Building human capabilities in STI
Skills remain a key driver for building a knowledge economy. This track will explore topics that link to training, education, skills required to transform current systems at tertiary level in preparation for the job market. Topics could also focus on upskilling requirements, innovative training initiatives, as demand driven careers. In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
Innovation - shaping the industry of tomorrow
This track will engage with a range of stakeholders including industry, chambers, etc to facilitate conversations on the role that industry plays together with other partners. What are the emerging trends for industry investments with regard to innovation, and how these are shaping the need for emergence of new industries linked both nationally and internationally. In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
Enhancing STI capabilities for Africa’s development
The focus of this track will be on enhancing STI engagement for Africa’s scientific and innovation excellence, through partnerships. Africa remains one of the Continents with a young population – which could be enhanced towards innovation. In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
Economic and Science Diplomacy
This track will focus on how international partnerships are shaping the interface of trade and science globally. It will further discuss critical role that multilaterism plays for a global world to address our common challenges. In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
Science Communication/Journalism
This track will focus on how science communication and journalism can create and invigorate the conversations on science amongst various stakeholders. It will also focus on how the ecosystem can further develop and enhance opportunities for science communication/journalism platforms locally and internationally. This track will also engage on some of the preliminary ideas for the World Conference for Science Journalists (being hosted in South Africa in 2025). In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
Shaping Humanity – the focus in this track will be on how social sciences shape our human experiences and behaviours to improve the quality for all human beings, and the world we live in, including a better understanding of what is required to uplift people. In building inclusion, issues pertinent to youth and women should also be included in the session discussions.
3. Thematic Sessions format
• Each parallel session will last 90 minutes.
• Different formats are welcome. Applicants are encouraged to develop your own innovative and creative formats.
• interactive session formats to engage with the diverse audience at the event.
• The purpose of all sessions should be to ignite conversations about science in an interactive manner, with a multi-stakeholder audience.
• There are maximum of 8 parallel sessions running at a time.
• The use of SFSA social media should be used to enhance audience interaction prior and during the session.
Format examples:
• Most popular and successful at previous SFSA events: a panel discussion, with a moderator and five panellists. Each panellist speaking for a maximum of 10 minutes, before engaging the audience.
•An interactive roundtable - offers a flexible format with space for audience
interaction after opening remarks.
4.Guidelines
•All submitted proposals will be reviewed and assessed by the SFSA 2023Programme Committee.
•The Programme Committee reserves the right to request modifications to proposals prior to final acceptance to the programme.
Criteria in the selection process:
• relevance to the objectives, main theme and sub-themes of SFSA 2023
• overall quality and originality of the proposal
• capacity to generate interesting and vibrant discussions
• interdisciplinary approach (If relevant, particular attention should be paid to attracting excellent social scientists as well as natural scientists.)
• internationally topical subject
• diversity (gender and geographical balance, youth, young scientists in the panel)
• multi-stakeholder approach (scientists, politicians, decision-makers and representatives of civil society and industry)
• capability to attract science media coverage
5. Organisational Aspects
• Session proposers are responsible for the organisation of their sessions, including the speakers (panellists) and moderator.
• Session proposers are encouraged to do session specific marketing.
• An exciting topic, top quality speakers, and plenty of time for discussions is encouraged
• A full range of conference facilities will be available.
• The sessions will be in-person at the venue and all speakers are expected to participate in person. In exceptional cases,
provision for a pre-recorded input or virtual participation will be accepted.
• Participants are responsible for their costs for attendance (including travel, accommodation and any organisational expenses).
NO REGISTRATION FEES, WILL BE CHARGED TO PARTICIPANTS.
6. Application timelines
• The call for session proposals for SFSA 2023 opens on 5 September 2023
• The call for session proposals for SFSA 2023 closes on 30 September 2023
• Proposals will be evaluated by the SFSA Programme Committee.
• The Programme Committee may request revisions to some proposals.
• The proposal allocation will be announced on 6 October 2023
For more information, please contact:
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Department of Science and Innovation
