The SFSA 2017 Science Diplomacy Awards recognised individuals and organisations who are making an outstanding contribution to furthering science diplomacy.
Human Capital Development Award
Prof. Phuti Ngoepe
University of Limpopo
Received the award for his efforts to leverage international cooperation to support the career development of young scientists in Africa.
International Peace Understanding and Solidarity Award
Prof. Arun Kulshreshtha
Outgoing Director-General of the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for Science and Technology
Received the award for successfully ensuring the centre succeeds despite limited resources.
Putting Science at Service for Fostering International Friendship
Dr Olive Shisana
Former CEO of the SA Human Science Research
Received the award for putting science at service for fostering international friendship, for her contribution throughout her career to advance South Africa’s position in the global science arena including in advancing the women and science agenda.
Excellence in Global Science Award
Robert-Jan Smits
European Commission’s Director General for Research, Innovation and Science
Received the award for his contributions over more than a decade to the strategic South Africa-EU science partnership.
Harnessing Scientific Advice for Multilateral Decision-making
Dr Heide Hackmann
ICSU
Received the award for harnessing scientific advice for multilateral decision-making. Dr Hackmann has demonstrated exceptional leadership to facilitate the merger of the ICSU and the International Social Science Council.
Advancing African Regional Cooperation, Integration and Development
African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
Received awarded for its Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa initiative, seeking to implement a Pan-African and Africa-led research funding programme; and the partners in the African Science Granting Councils Initiative, for its exceptional contribution to institutional science capacity building in Africa.