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Biography |
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Mr Stanley Maphosa is the International and National Liaison Manager of the Academy of Science of South Africa. He is responsible for Strategic Partnerships, Overseas Collaborations and African Collaborations, Gender in Science Technology and Innovation as well as Young Scientist Liaison. His role is to develop relations with science academies, multilateral science organisation, universities, government departments, parliament, embassies, civil society and science councils among other partners. He is involved in science diplomacy, internationalisation of science, science advice and science communication. He hosts The World Academy of Sciences Regional Office of sub-Saharan Africa, the South African National Chapter of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World, the South African Young Academy of Science and the International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa with his team. Currently studying for a PhD in Social Science at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, Stanley holds a Master’s degrees in Development Studies. Before joining ASSAf, Stanley worked for 12 years for World Vision International from grassroots level to Executive Level in Transformational Community Development, Disaster Risk Management and Advocacy. In his role he developed strategies, implemented them, monitored and evaluated. He was involved in external engagement, fundraising, donor engagement and training. Stanley Maphosa is a member of the AAAS and the International Network of Government Science Advisers (INGSA) African Chapter,
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Abstract |
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Sciences Academies: Supporting SDGs |
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The strength of science academies reside in the quality and diversity of their membership or fellows; internationally renowned scholars elected by their peers, who give of their time voluntarily in the service of society. The membership could be regarded as the ‘brains trust’ of the nation. Science academies are able to use their membership as a collective resource for evidence-based solutions to national problems. These national problems include the sustainable development goals (SGDs). Through their well-recognised convening power, academies are able to mobilise the best scientific minds from across the nation, sub region, continentally as well as internationally, to provide authoritative advice to government and other stakeholders based on scientifically rigorous analysis of evidence and consensus of diverse experts. As such, science academies are independent, non-biased and credible sources of scientific advice which governments appreciate especially during the SDG times. The diversity of their membership, embracing the full disciplinary spectrum, enables science academies to focus on issues of a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral nature and to bring the strengths of a fully inclusive approach to bear on the issues of national and international concern.
Science Academies fully embraces the principles espoused in the constitutions of the country where they are located and the National Development Plans.
The further value of the science academies is in their promotion of excellence through election to Academy membership and awards, and the fostering of scholarly activity through the provision of fora for scholarly activities and debate. Science advisory activities are a common feature of academies around the world, all using an evidence-based approach based on the convening of experts with diverse perspectives to discuss and illuminate issues. Through this, academies bring the necessary awareness to the SDGs to members of the public.
It is important to distinguish the niche of the science academies from other organisations in terms of science advice in support of policy development. Key universal elements of Academy advice are that it is:
• Authoritative
• Independent
• Objective
• Free of vested interests
• Trusted
• Based on volunteer contributions
• Based on rigorous analysis of evidence and peer review
• Transparent
• Multi-disciplinary and able to address complex issues that transcend disciplinary boundaries.
The academy of Science of South Africa has worked in almost 10 of the 17 SDG goals through its studies and convening activities. Currently ASSAf is linking with the government department that is dealing with SDGs in South Africa. The academy works in partnerships.
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