 energy needs of its own population.
There is also agreement that achieving the critical mass needed to provide world-class training and research requires focusing scarce resources on collaborative centres of excellence in the continent.
But experts, both in Africa and elsewhere, disagree as to whether this should be done by creating new institutions — or by building on existing ones.
In with the new
In with the new
Both points of view have strong supporters. Those arguing for new institutions often point to India's four large science and technology institutes — the colonial powers' parting gift in 1947 — that have, they suggest, provided the bedrock for the country's current economic and technological boom.
This thinking also lies behind the Commission for Africa's proposal last year that the international community provide "up to US$3 billion over 10 years to develop centres of excellence in science and technology, including African institutes of technology".
It also forms the core of plans to establish the Nelson Mandela Institutes for Science and Technology — new regional centres of excellence spread across Africa.
Wole Soboyejo, chair of the institutes' African scientific committee, argues that these would allow African scientists in developed world universities and laboratories to lend their teaching and research expertise on an occasional basis (see A network of excellence for African development).
Home-grown solutions
Home-grown solutions
But this model is sharply contested by others, who claim that focusing investment — and the continent's own scarce scientific talent — in new institutions would drain resources from existing universities and other research centres.
Yet these existing institutions, they argue, are better placed to meet the continent's scientific and technological needs at the same time as building scientific capacity across the board.
Narciso Matos, a former rector of the University Eduardo Mondlane in Mozambique, and chair of the International Development Program at the Carnegie Corporation of New York, United States, has few doubts that the focus should be on expanding the capacities of existing institutions (see African science: in with the old, out with the new).
Similarly Mwananyanda Mbikusita Lewanika, executive director of the National Institute for Science and Industrial Research in Zambia, argues that existing research and development institutions and universities "must form the core of home-grown scientific knowledge creation". They should also, he suggests, support African scientists "to lead to the development or adoption of technologies to address Africa's development challenges" (see Centres of excellence: not ideal for African science).
There are examples elsewhere to support both sides of the argument. Those demanding new institutions offering high level teaching and research can point to successful examples like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.
In contrast, the British model, where research in many areas remains dominated by two institutions — the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge — each founded more than seven centuries ago, demonstrates that breathing new life into existing institutions can, in the right circumstances, be just as effective.
Responding to Africa's needs
Responding to Africa's needs
Both models, of course, lie open to charges of elitism, meaning that the rich and powerful tend to benefit more than the rest. But of the two, and particularly in Africa where local loyalties are strong, working through existing channels with local political support seems to offer several advantages.
In particular, this approach is more likely to escape the fate of previous, externally-driven initiatives that have left the empty shells of failed institutional experiments scattered across the continent.
Still, two factors remain clear. First, any solution proposed for Africa must be based on the continent's own perception of its needs, and on the dynamics of its own economic and political environment. Success of a model elsewhere is no guarantee of success in Africa.
Second, concerted efforts must be made during next month's summit meeting to harness the enthusiasm for high quality science in both camps into a single strategy. This is likely to require some tough negotiation at the summit's margins. But a resolution that ends up endorsing one strategy will only alienate supporters of the other, and is likely to weaken both.
David Dickson, Director
SciDev.Net
Read a response to this editorial from an advisor to the New Partnership for Africa's Development.“Sharkwater Extinction” will be one of the films shown at the festival.
Where better to start off an evening of local environmental films than at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center hosted by four of the Chesapeake Bay’s biggest advocates: Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.
The reception on Oct. 4 is part of the Chesapeake Film Festival and precedes the premiere of a series of four short documentaries about Eastern Shore rivers directed by local filmmakers Dave Harp and Sandy Cannon-Brown. Cruise with environmental stewards on the Choptank and Miles-Wye and paddle along with them Nassawango Creek and the Sassafras River.
The 5 p.m. reception — with heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine and beer — is free to anyone holding a ticket for the films, which screen at 7:30 at the Avalon Theatre. A panel discussion led by the filmmakers and representatives of the host organizations — including Joe Fehrer of The Nature Conservancy, Matt Pluta and Zack Kelleher of ShoreRivers, and Alan Girard of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation — follows the screening.
For tickets, go to chesapeakefilmfestival.com and select Environmental Shorts 1 + Reception in the list of films. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for youth (under 18) and seniors (55 and up).
The Chesapeake Film Festival starts Oct.r 3 and runs through Oct. 10. The best value is a Festival Pass ($140), which is good for any and all of the 62 films in the festival. The ticket is transferable, so you can share with family members or friends.
The Weekend Pass ($100) for all events Oct. 4 (including the reception and Environmental Shorts program) through Oct. 6, is especially attractive to lovers of environmental films. On Oct. 6, the entire day at 447 Gallery in Cambridge, is devoted to environmental films.
From noon- 1:30 p.m. at 447 Gallery, enjoy a series of five short films and discussions with filmmakers. The lineup includes a local film about an environmental awareness and character-building program, Take the Helm, at the YMCA in Easton. This short was also directed by the team of Cannon-Brown and Harp. A short film produced by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Incredible Oyster Reef, explores oysters as a keystone species with a remarkable potential to save the Bay.
Experience Tale of Tongs at 2 p.m. with architect Travis Price and his students from Catholic University on the Island of Inishturk in Ireland where they built a memorial on this remote, sparsely populated island. Filmmakers Judy and Stanley Hallet will lead a discussion after the film about the connections among architecture, history, culture and landscape.
At 4 p.m., the Festival showcases the incredible Sharkwater Extinction, winner of the Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy at the prestigious DC Environmental Film Festival. The film follows filmmaker Rob Stewart as he exposes the massive illegal shark fin industry.
Chesapeake Film Festival board member Julie Patterson will lead the Q&A with shark experts.
Enjoy a dinner break at one of the fine Cambridge restaurants and return to 447 Gallery at 7:30 for the day’s finale: The Human Element. In this arresting new, multi-award-winning documentary from the producers of Racing Extinction, The Cove and Chasing Ice, environmental photographer James Blog captures Americans on the front lines of climate change, including the people of Tangier Island, Va. Lorie Staver of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science leads a discussion following the screening about efforts on the Eastern Shore to combat climate change and other environmental threats.
Films at the Talbot County Free Library are, as the name implies, free, but reservations are recommended for a day of environmental films on Oct. 5. The day, part of the Chesapeake Film Festival, begins at noon with Science Fair, a film filled with humor and drama that wows middle- and high-school students, teachers and anyone who enjoys fantastic stories about amazing youth and their mentors.
At 1 p.m. Conowingo Dam: Power on the Susquehanna, produced by Maryland Public Television, explores the history of the massive dam and today’s challenge of keeping debris from Pennsylvania and New York from flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. Representatives from Exelon Corporation, which owns Conowingo, and other groups will lead a discussion about the past and future of the dam.
At 3 p.m., the library brings back a Chesapeake Film Festival Favorite: Saving Sea Turtles.
Narrated by renowned scientist Dr. Sylvia Earle, this film shows how humans pushed a healthy population to the precipice of extinction and are now slowly helping it to recover. Be prepared to fall in love with the endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtle, and with the people determined to save it.
A simple 3 step-by-step process to LOVE YOURSELF with ease!
I’ve been incredibly blessed by God’s grace and unwavering Love!
Even took a week-long vacation with Husbae.
We spent time burying our toes in the sand, literally dancing in the rain and soaking up the sun with no tech on sight (besides our phone).
Because that’s Self-Love!
Taking time to do whatever you need to feel more peace, joy, and equanimity.
This brings me to today’s ritual to help