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Namibia Conducting Nationwide Data Collection Exercise

A multistakeholder team in Namibia has embarked on a nationwide data collection exercise to benchmark the countrys science technology and innovation system against the norms and standards of the Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers Namibia is one of six pilot countries taking part in the project Strengthening STI Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa an initiative funded by the Swedish International Development Agency SIDA In its latter stages the project will support Namibia in designing inclusive policies that integrate the recommendations standards and norms The benchmarking exercise will inform this process by helping to identify gaps needs strengths and opportunities in policy and practice Across the country about 700 stakeholders had completed online or physical questionnaires by early December 2021 Data were collected for all but two regions between 20 September and 1 October 2021 Many of these stakeholders reported that the data collection exercise had been their first opportunity to learn about or engage with the recommendation a significant portion also indicated that they wished to be consulted on the issues raised by the recommendation in future The data collection team consisted of stakeholders from Namibias National Commission on Research Science and Technology NCRST the Ministry of Higher Education Technology and Innovation and UNESCO On 17 September 2021 the team discussed the national exercise on the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation NBC TVs Good Morning Namibia show Members of the team also participated in interviews with regional radio stations to raise awareness on the data collection exercise

January 31, 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

Online workshop held with Namibian STI leaders

On 14 October 2021 UNESCO and the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO organized a workshop to review programmes and activities implemented by the Sectors for Natural Sciences and Social and Human Sciences in Namibia as well as identify national needs and establish a roadmap for activities over the next two years The workshop was attended by 62 participants representing academia government parastatals the private sector and UNESCO The workshop included a panel discussion on the state of Namibias national innovation system featuring two university Vice Chancellors the Director of Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Higher Education Technology and Innovation and two representatives of the Minds in Action science learning centre The panellists identified a need to significantly improve communications relating to scientific results and issues ensure that research is adequately funded including by the private sector and provide stakeholders in the tech industry with sufficient legal protections for their intellectual property The panellists highlighted developmental programmes as a way of fostering innovation among the youth The challenges and opportunities highlighted by the panellists reflect some of the values inscribed in the Recommendations on Science and Scientific Researchers which calls on UNESCOs member states to Promote access to research results and engage in the sharing of scientific data between researchers and to policymakers and to the public wherever possible while being mindful of existing rights paragraph 16 av Treat public funding of research and investment as a form of public investment paragraph 6 Ensure that the scientific and technological results of scientific researchers enjoy appropriate legal protection of their intellectual property paragraph 37 and Lend their support to all educational initiatives designed to a strengthen all sciences technology engineering and mathematics education in schools and other formal and informal settings paragraph 14 a Namibia is one of six pilot countries taking part in the project Strengthening STI Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa an initiative funded by the Swedish International Development Agency SIDA As part of the project stakeholders in Namibia are conducting a baseline assessment of the countrys science technology and innovation system benchmarked against the standards of the Recommendations Having identified challenges and opportunities for Namibia the project will then seek to raise national capacity to design and monitor inclusive policies

January 31, 2022

Workshop: Development of the Policy Framework on Namibian research outputs and Journal Accreditation

About 30 stakeholders from academia government and NGOs attended the first consultation workshop on the development of the policy framework on Namibian Research outputs and Journal Accreditation from 2728 October 2021 in Otjiwarongo The consultation jointly organized by the Ministry of Higher Education Technology and Innovation MHETI and National Commission on Research Science and Technology NCRST aimed to exchange information to support the development of the policy An Interim National Steering Committee was established by MHETI to provide expert advice and drive the development of the policy on Namibian Research outputs and Journal Accreditation To facilitate the monitoring and reporting on the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers a data collection tool developed by NCRST was used to collect data from the researchers on the current Science Technology and Innovation STI research climate UNESCO supports the strengthening of national STI systems and governance

November 25, 2021

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

World Day for Audio-visual Heritage - 27 October

Audiovisual archives tell us stories about peoples lives and cultures from all over the world They represent a priceless heritage which is an affirmation of our collective memory and a valuable source of knowledge since they reflect the cultural social and linguistic diversity of our communities They help us grow and comprehend the world we all share Conserving this heritage and ensuring it remains accessible to the public and future generations is a vital goal for all memory institutions as well as the public at large The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage WDAH is a commemoration of the adoption in 1980 by the 21st General Conference of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images The World Day provides an occasion to raise general awareness of the need to take urgent measures and to acknowledge the importance of audiovisual documents This year the theme of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is Your Window to the World Audiovisual materials as documentary heritage objects provide a window to the world as we observe events we cannot attend we hear voices from the past who can no longer speak and we craft stories that inform and entertain Audiovisual content plays an increasingly vital role in our lives as we seek to understand the world and engage with our fellow beings DARE TO BE WOWED In celebration of the Day the National Heritage Council of Namibia will be hosting backtoback screenings of two documentaries on Namibias world heritage sites Twyfelfontein Uiaes and Namib Sand Sea Join us for a night of Pristine Namibian World Heritage 27 and 29 October 2021 1900 John Muafangejo Art Gallery Katutura Community Arts Centre SEE YOU THERE National Heritage Council of Namibia Tel 264 61 244 375 Website wwwnhcnamorg

October 25, 2021

National EE/ESD Strategy & Action Plan 2- Day Stakeholder Consultative Workshop

The Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism MEFT and the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture MoEAC believe that Environmental Education EEEducation for Sustainable Development ESD issues must be entrenched in the sectoral and subsectoral strategies of all stakeholders and institutional levels Moreover a strong culture of networking is recommended in the implementation of EEESD Policy as it will promote participation information sharing exchange of views and ideas and developing the necessary skills among all sectors The main expected results of this consultative workshop are to assist in the reorientation upscaling and integrating EEESD in environmental awareness education and training systems research and innovation systems policies programmes and action for sustainable development While the overall objective of the task force is to foster the implementation of the EEESD policy assist in mobilising financial resources and develop strategic partnerships with leading environmental and sustainable development organisations The consultative workshop further aims To gather broad stakeholder input To take stock of past existing and planned activitiesprogrammes across all relevant sectors To outline the Strategy and Action Plan for the National EEESD Policy for 20222026 5 years To make recommendations for Namibias National Contribution to the UNESCO Decade ESD for 2030 based on the workshop outcomes The twoday workshop will take place on 19 20 October 2021 in Windhoek

October 19, 2021

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

October 19, 2021

Stakeholders Information and Consultation Workshop on the UNESCO Natural and Social and Human Sciences programmes

Introduction UNESCO works to advance and promote science in the interests of peace sustainable development and human security and wellbeing in close collaboration with its Member States and a wide variety of partners UNESCO implements its activities in science through its International Science Programmes ISPs There are four international programmes namely Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme IHP Man and the Biosphere Programme MAB International Geosciences Programme IGCP International Basic Sciences Programme IBSP In addition to these programmes a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO carries out a specific mandate on ocean sciences the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission IOCUNESCO The UNESCO Social and Human Sciences SHS sector cover a range of knowledge building standard setting and clearing house functions Key programs include Ethics of Science and Technology Philosophy Human Rights Antidoping Sports In Southern Africa the Social and Human Sciences Sector will focus on areas such as Promoting youth development and civic engagement inclusive social development and intercultural dialogue for peace economic and social transformations The Sector will support activities such as inclusive urban environments citizen participation and intercultural dialogue sustainability Science and enhancing social science research on social transformations and strengthening national social science policy and international scientific cooperation Namibia has benefited immensely from UNESCO support particularly in Social and Human Sciences and Natural Sciences However the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO will like to improve Namibias participation in this programmes and to ensure that national institutions derive maximum benefits from this programmes and activities Hence the background of the proposed workshop to share information about UNESCO programmes and activities in the Natural and Social Sciences programmes and to identify and agree on concrete implementable activities for the next two years Objectives To share the information of the Natural and Social and Human Sciences Programmes of UNESCO to the Namibian stakeholders To review the current UNESCO support in these programmes To identify countrywide needs and map the way forward of UNESCO Natural and Social Sciences programmes Expected output Improved participants understanding of UNESCO programmes and activities in the Natural and Social and Human Science Developed the implementation action plans of UNESCO Natural and Social and Human Science programmes Participants Representatives from government Ministries Higher Education Institutions and NGOs Organising institutions Namibia National Commission for UNESCO UNESCO Windhoek Office UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa Harare Supported by Ministry of Higher Education Training and Innovation National Commission on Research Science and Technology Please register through the link below httpsunescoorgzoomusmeetingregistertJEsdgqDwqGtYAPBTl4SHS6QOA93fMkyL

October 13, 2021

Launch of Namibia’s Revised National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy - 15 October 2021

The Ministry in collaboration with all stakeholders launched a consultative process to comprehensively review the National Policy on Research Science and Technology of 1999 The consultation process identified strengths and weaknesses of the National System of Innovation towards the development of a revised and updated National Science Technology and Innovation Policy NSTIP 20202030 The key emphasis of the revised Policy 20202030 is to entrench the production and application of science technology and innovation in all sectors of the economy in order to achieve Namibias development aspirations The revised Policy articulates clear strategies designed to promote Research Development RD technology development and the strengthening of innovation capacities

October 12, 2021

Regional Workshop to Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in Southern Africa

On 14 November 1970 the General Conference sixteenth session of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO meeting in Paris adopted the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property The treaty is signed to combat the illegal trade of cultural properties from countries of origins In this context UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture and the Namibian National Commission for UNESCO NATCOM will host a Regional meeting on the theme Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in Southern Africa The twodays meeting will be hybrid to be held from the 27 October 08h30 16h00 and the 28 October 2021 09h00 15h30 via zoom while the physical event will take place at Sea Side Hotel Swakopmund CAT The regional meeting contributes to UNESCOs continued efforts to raise awarness and understanding on the value of the conventions which oversee the governance of illicit trafficking of cultural property The workshop will also draw attention to the two conventions that addresses matters related to illicit trafficking of cultural objects the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1995 International Institute for the Unification of Private Law UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects In addition the meeting also serves as a platform to encourage further ratification of the Conventions by African member states that are currently not signatories and to strengthen and improve collaboration between institutions dealing with the illicit trafficking of cultural property at both national regional and international levels The meeting will bring together local regional and international experts to promote peer to peer learning from countries that have ratified the Conventions Honourable Ester AnnaLisa Nghipondoka Minister of Education Arts and Culture of Namibia will officially open the meeting on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia As the meeting is virtual observers are welcome and can listen into the exchanges Register in advance for this meeting and obtain the link to join httpsunescoorgzoomuswebinarregisterWNfCMGMPj6Tpq5T48GvygLUA

October 6, 2021

Outreach for Geoscience Awareness

Geosciences provide essential information for locating and exploiting mineral deposits as well as hydrocarbon and groundwater resources and have become indispensable for an increasing spectrum of socioeconomic issues such as infrastructure development environmental monitoring landuse planning and natural hazard and climate change studies Geosciences and geoscientists underpins sustainable economic development but also are key pieces of a puzzle in the effective implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDGs The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty ensure universal access to basic services tackle inequality end unsustainable consumption patterns and facilitate inclusive economic growth social development as well as environmental protection Geoscience professions have played a key role in the implementation of national initiatives such as the National Development Plans the Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030 and will continue to do so The continental and global initiatives include the African Union Vision through Agenda 2063 and its 7 Aspirations the African Mineral and Energy Resources Classification and Management System PanAfrican Resource Reporting Code and the 2030 Global Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals SDGs that aim to eradicate poverty ensure universal access to basic services tackle inequality end unsustainable consumption patterns and facilitate inclusive economic growth social development and environmental protection Noting the above the Outreach for Geoscience Awareness workshops therefore aims to bring media practioners to the World of Geoscience by providing enhanced knowledge and understanding of the many aspects of geosciences and their application to socioeconomic development which is not reported often enough The objectives of the outreach for geoscience awareness are to Increase public awareness of the vital role that geosciences play in societys use of resources resilience to natural hazards interaction with the environment and in the socioeconomic development of Namibia Provide opportunities to expose the youth to geoscience career opportunities Enhance knowledge of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation NBC media practitioners on geoscience and geoscientists issues The expected outcomes are Improved understanding of the role of geoscience in daily life Improved public science literacy that could influence national decisions Enhanced knowledge and understanding of NBC media practitioners on geosciences Enhanced awareness and access to the geoscience knowledge base and expertise This outreach program is sponsored by UNESCO Ministry of Mines and Energy and Geological Survey of Namibia While inkind contributions have been received from NAMWATER UNAMGeology Department City of WindhoekDepartment of Infrastructure Water Technical Services Ministry of Agriculture Water and Land Reform MAWLR NAMCOR Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism MEFT and in collaboration with the Namibia broadcasting Cooperation NBC

September 30, 2021