SFSA 2017

Overview

Over 2000 participants, 280 speakers and 70 exhibitors gathered at the CSIR International Convention Centre on 7 & 8 December, with a parallel media workshop session that ran on 5 December, to ignite conversations about science.

The two-day programme comprised plenary panel debates, short seminars and talks, with the participation of local and international thought leaders from the scientific community.

The SFSA opening session included Minister Naledi Pandor and the African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, to the set the strategic focus and orientation for discussions at the forum.

Theme

The theme for the Forum was Igniting Conversations About Science.

Sub-themes

The programme is structured around five thematic tracks:

• Shaping humanity – the focus in this track will be on how social sciences shape our human experiences and behaviours to improve the quality of life for all human beings, and the world we live in, including a better understanding of what is required to uplift people in a sustainable manner.
• Preparing people for the knowledge economy – the focus in this track will be on the attitudes, education, experience, and abilities required individually and collectively to succeed in the knowledge economy, with a specific focus on achieving gender and demographic balance in an optimal functioning system of innovation.
• Open science and open innovation for Africa’s development – the focus in this track will be on what the impact will be on Africa’s development if there was a concerted drive to intensify collaboration among all stakeholders in the scientific and innovation enterprise, including through the enhanced dissemination and sharing of research results to maximise impact.
• Science transforming society – the focus in this track will be on how science, technology and innovation is changing society, how is it contributing to the improvement of the quality of living of all citizens and how we ensure ethical considerations are addressed and science-driven development is equitable and sustainable.
• A better world – the focus in this track will be on the sustainable solutions science, technology and innovation can provide to global challenges like poverty, inequality, inclusive development and a secure society, with an emphasis on the value of enhanced international collaboration in addressing these shared global challenges.
• Innovation shaping the industry of tomorrow – the focus in this track will be on how the exponential pace of progress in science, technology and innovation is disrupting every industry in every country and how the so-called “fourth industrial revolution” will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another.