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Challenges and opportunities for science, technology and innovation in six African countries

Representatives of Congo Ghana Namibia Sierra Leone Tanzania and Zimbabwe reflected on their experiences from implementing and monitoring the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers RSSR at the fourth edition of the Africa Regional Science Technology and Innovation Forum in Kigali Rwanda on 1 March 2022

Science Week Organized in Namibia to Boost Public Engagement with Science

Science Week was held in Namibia over 2226 November and 611 December 2021 under the theme Better Health Through Better Understanding Organized by UNESCO the Goethe Institute Ministry of Mines and Energy and Swakopmund Museum The objective of Science Week was to promote public engagement with science through handson enjoyable activities About 212 school children 20 young researchers and 20 members of the public participated in the activities Thirtysix secondaryschool children participated in two sessions of coding and robotics on 22 and 24 November supported by Minds in Action a Namibiabased organization with a focus on science technology engineering and mathematics Using SCRATCH coding software the learners simulated the transmission of the Covid19 disease A panel discussion was held on 25 November on the wellbeing of scientists featuring three scientists who represented the fields of metallurgy chemistry and engineering The audience comprised of about 20 university students and early career scientists threequarters of whom were under 30 years of age Panellists discussed some of the challenges faced by scientists in Namibia today including what they perceived as a shortage of laboratory equipment and chemicals and a lack of robust mental health facilities and support The panellists identified some opportunities to strengthen Namibias science ecosystem such as by expanding the provision of mental health clinics which could provide professional counselling promote lifelong learning improve policy implementation and raise public awareness of national success stories in science Some of the challenges and opportunities identified by the panellists reflect the provisions of the Recommendations on Science and Scientific Researchers an international accord that sets common standards for science adopted by UNESCOs 195 member states in November 2017 For instance paragraph 28 of the Recommendations reads Member States should encourage the provision of facilities so that scientific researchers enjoy lifelong opportunities for keeping themselves up to date in their own and in other scientific fields

January 31, 2022

Science Week: Better Health Through Better Understanding

In November and December 2021 UNESCO the Goethe Institute Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Swakopmund Museum is organizing the Science Week under the theme Better Health through better Understanding Participating schools and members of the public will have the opportunity to engage and interact with local scientists This years theme takes into consideration the effects of Covid19 on scientists schools and the public and looks at scientific ways of improving our wellbeing such as mental health The Science Week is a melange of entertaining handson educational activities by local scientists and noncommercial science films that promote science literacy and facilitate awareness of contemporary scientific technological and environmental issues The overall aim of this initiative is to communicate science in a more accessible way to support and advance inclusive science and quality education for all Activities include Panel discussion on the Wellbeing of Scientists Hybrid Sand Play Therapy Coding Covid19 simulation and Robotics Doodle video on the Science of Happiness and workshop Social media challenge on a science experiment Screening of Goethe Science Festival Films

November 22, 2021

Namibia moves to boost local content production in cultural and creative industries

November 2, 2021

UNESCO to host workshop on strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property

October 19, 2021

Official Launch of The National Strategy on ‘Sustainable Heritage Tourism Development and Employment Creation Opportunities at Community Level in Namibia’

The Namibian Government through the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture MEAC and the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism MEFT launched a National Strategy on Sustainable Heritage Tourism Development and Employment Creation Opportunities at Community Level Namibia on 21 April 2021 09h00 at NUST Hotel school Windhoek The strategy was developed in partnership with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO and the Namibia Tourism Board The strategy has identified three strategic objectives To accelerate tourisms role in economic development To broaden tourisms role in the social inclusiveness and To boost tourisms role in cultural values environment diversity and heritage management The launch was attended by participants from various entities ranging from representatives of national authorities development organisations academics and individuals from the tourism sector in Namibia In his remarks Mr Djaffar MoussaElkadhum Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Namibia applauded the two Ministries for their commitment towards the promotion of sustainable cultural tourism in Namibia and he acknowledged that the Strategy came at a vital time when tourism an important sector contributing to the Namibian economy has been severely impacted by the COVID19 global pandemic He further emphasised how the launched Strategy complements existing strategies and plans for the development of tourism with the specific focus on heritage tourism and community engagement and benefits In conclusion he reaffirms the commitment of UNESCO and the UN Namibia continued support towards the Namibian government to advance culture and sustainable development and the building backbetter of the tourism sector amidst and beyond the COVID19 pandemic Honourable Faustina Caley Deputy Minister of Education Arts and Culture attended the launch on behalf of the Honourable Ester AnnaLisa Nghipondoka Minister of Education Arts and Culture In her opening remarks she recognized the strong partnership formed during the development of the Strategy between various institutions involved She further accentuated the clear testimony that the country now recognizes the fundamental role that heritage and culture play in human development both as an enabler and a driver of Sustainable Development by including Arts and Culture for the first time in the fifth National Development Plan She concluded with confirmation of the continued commitment by the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture towards investment in the promotion of cultural tourism and how the strategy will continue to serve as a reference document and an important framework for our endeavours in this sector In his keynote address Honourable Pohamba Shifeta Minister of Environment Forestry and Tourism encouraged collaboration to overcome the impact of COVID19 on tourism He further emphasised how collaboration will afford an opportunity to work out the best strategies to innovate and package the cultural product because global wealth of traditions is one of the principal motivations for travel with tourists seeking to engage with new cultures and to experience the global variety of performing arts handicrafts rituals and cuisines He also motivated academic institutions to carry out research on the cultural and traditional heritage of our local communities and produce detailed documentations that can be used both for promotional purposes and as study material In his conclusion he calls upon all the key stakeholders in the tourism sector to study Strategy carefully and to work out Action Plans to ensure its successful implementation Dr Erling Kavita Consultant presented the strategy background and methodology key findings and the impact of COVID19 on the strategy and priorities for tourism recovery Dr Kavita emphasis on the way forward includes the followings Aggressive advocacy for heritage tourism Harmonize and coordinate protocols and procedures for COVID19 recovery Establishing champions to rollout the implementation process of the Strategy Added value jobs through innovation in culture and heritage subsector Broadens resource mobilisation efforts domestic regional and international Reinforce regional cooperation and crossborder tourism Mr Digu Naobeb Chief Executive Officer Namibia Tourism Board delivered the vote of thanks he thanked all the parties involved in the successful development of the Strategy He encouraged the ministry responsible for culture to continue safeguarding heritage as it contributes towards the economy and community building Furthermore he emphasised that culture also plays a major role in the promotion of resilience of cultural diversity in the society The strategy contributes towards the beginning of the crucial revival of tourism in Namibia and developing an Action Plan will contribute towards a successful implementation of the strategy

UN75 Celebrating through Arts

As part of the UN75 celebrations the United Nations Namibia engaged the College of the Arts CoTA as a partner in the Celebrating Through Arts campaign to draw a mural artwork at the Katutura Old Age Home KOAH which is managed by the City of Windhoek under the Social Welfare Section of the Community Development Division The KOAH has been in existence since the 1960s and currently accommodes 22 people 12 men and 10 women This cooperation between CoTA and the UN promotes the involvement of youth in the UN75 Celebrations highlighting the importance of the social function of arts through its ability to provide aesthetic beauty and satisfaction as well as to inform and educate CoTA is the only local institution recognised nationally offering training in sound and television production fashion design drama music dance and the visual arts The UNs mandate includes youth empowerment which complements CoTAs initiative for students to participate in communitybased programs organised by the college In 2020 the students completed a mural aimed at raising awareness around the Covid19 pandemic and how education and quality healthcare provision are key to fighting the global pandemic The UN is committed to advancing the social function of art through its ability to express the spirit of a society and bring enjoyment and fulfillment to people The mural at the KOAH which depicts aspects of Namibias natural landscape and incorporates unique aspects of the environment also promotes SDG 11 particularly target 4 which is aimed at enhancing inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory integrated and sustainable human settlements The artists who worked on the mural are Delmeine E Aksel J Leonard Carlo K OnneileM Elizabeth N Jodine S Jackson V and Esneya Z They worked under the supervision of their lecturer Ndaasunje Shikonegni PAPA

Building resilience in the cultural and creative industries amid COVID-19

November 12, 2020