African Researchers and Decision-makers. Building Synergy for Development

African Researchers and Decision-makers. Building Synergy for Development
Author: Abdoulaye Ndiaye
Publisher: African Books Collective
Total Pages: 100
Release: 2009
Genre: Africa, Central
ISBN: 2869782608

For the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and its partners, the link between research and policy is of paramount importance in their goal to improve social, economic and environmental conditions in developing countries. The nature of the collaboration between researchers and decision-makers, however, is complex, multifaceted and often difficult to implement. Moreover, research is very often designed and carried out without regard for its potential users or beneficiaries. How should research agendas be developed? What is the role of the private sector in developing research? Which actors are involved in knowledge production and utilization? How can the dialogue between researchers and decision-makers be improved? This short and accessible book records the reflections, opinions and recommendations which emerged from six national workshops organised between 2004 and 2007 in West and Central Africa on the synergy between researchers and decision-makers. Abdoulaye Ndiaye is a Senegalese expert and international consultant in development. He edited this book as a member and on behalf of the IDRC Council of Regional Advisors for West and Central Africa which organized the series of workshops throughout the sub-region.

African Researchers and Decision-makers. Building Synergy for Development

African Researchers and Decision-makers. Building Synergy for Development
Author: Abdoulaye Ndiaye
Publisher: African Books Collective
Total Pages: 100
Release: 2009-11-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 286978385X

For the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and its partners, the link between research and policy is of paramount importance in their goal to improve social, economic and environmental conditions in developing countries. The nature of the collaboration between researchers and decision-makers, however, is complex, multifaceted and often difficult to implement. Moreover, research is very often designed and carried out without regard for its potential users or beneficiaries. How should research agendas be developed? What is the role of the private sector in developing research? Which actors are involved in knowledge production and utilization? How can the dialogue between researchers and decision-makers be improved? This short and accessible book records the reflections, opinions and recommendations which emerged from six national workshops organised between 2004 and 2007 in West and Central Africa on the synergy between researchers and decision-makers. Abdoulaye Ndiaye is a Senegalese expert and international consultant in development. He edited this book as a member and on behalf of the IDRC Council of Regional Advisors for West and Central Africa which organized the series of workshops throughout the sub-region.

Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals

Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals
Author: Maano Ramutsindela
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 295
Release: 2019-06-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030148572

The book draws upon the expertise and international research collaborations forged by the Worldwide Universities Network Global Africa Group to critically engage with the intersection, in theory and practice, of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s development agendas and needs. Further, it argues that – and demonstrates how – the SDGs should be understood as an aspirational blueprint for development with multiple meanings that are situated in dynamic and contested terrains. As the SDGs have substantial implications for development policy and resourcing at both the macro and micro levels, their relevance is not only context-specific but should also be assessed in terms of the aspirations and needs of ordinary citizens across the continent. Drawing on analyses and evidence from both the natural and social sciences, the book demonstrates that progress towards the SDGs must meet demands for improving human well-being under diverse and challenging socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. Examples include those from the mining industry, public health, employment and the media. In closing, it highlights how international collaboration in the form of research networks can enhance the production of critical knowledge on and engagement with the SDGs in Africa.

Africa-Europe Relationships

Africa-Europe Relationships
Author: Raffaele Marchetti
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 185
Release: 2020-05-04
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1000072797

The relationships between Africa and Europe are of high strategic importance. This volume studies the ongoing dynamics between the two continents by adopting a pluralist understanding of international relations which encompasses non-state actors as well as states. Going beyond pure intergovernmentalism, this focus of this book is on activists, business people, religious believers, local politicians as well as transnational networks and by hybrid coalitions. Such plurality of socio-economic and political interactions underpinning the relationship between Africa and Europe is underexamined and yet of great importance. The text identifies new patterns of cooperation and recurrent obstacles in the African-European multistakeholder dynamics, thus opening the way for a more accurate understanding of the future relationship between Africa and Europe. This book brings African and European reflections together, on an equal standing, in order to achieve a true dialogue among civilizations. This book is aimed at all those who are interested in African-European relationships, including students and researchers, as well as activists, business people, civil servant and functionaries at local and national level.

Emerging Contaminants in the Terrestrial-Aquatic-Atmosphere Continuum

Emerging Contaminants in the Terrestrial-Aquatic-Atmosphere Continuum
Author: Willis Gwenzi
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 432
Release: 2022-05-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0323903444

Emerging Contaminants in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments: Occurrence, Health Risks, and Mitigation provides the latest information on the synthesis of the occurrence, behavior, human health risks and mitigation of emerging contaminants in developing countries. First highlighting sources, industrial applications, key drivers and regulatory frameworks, the book then goes on to discuss the nature of emerging contaminants, including organic (e.g., pharmaceuticals), inorganic (e.g., rare earth elements) and biological agents (e.g., antimicrobial resistance). It then presents the dissemination, environmental behavior, and fate in terrestrial and aquatic systems as well as the human and ecological exposure pathways, health risks, and more. Offering a transdisciplinary approach that brings together perspectives and contributions from experts in environmental sciences, hydrology, environmental engineering, ecotoxicology, chemistry, material sciences, and legal and policy aspects, the book provides an approachable and flexible resource for researchers and upper-level students with diverse academic backgrounds. Adopts a lifecycle perspective by including industrial applications, behavior and fate and human health risks and removal Focuses on developing regions and covers a wide range of emerging contaminants, including those often overlooked in earlier books such as rare earth elements and antimicrobial resistance Presents a clear understanding of the contrasts between developed and developing countries with respect to emerging contaminants and their health risks and mitigation, including water and wastewater treatment systems commonly used in developing countries Covers human and ecological health risks in developing countries

Knowledge to Policy

Knowledge to Policy
Author: Fred Carden
Publisher: IDRC
Total Pages: 238
Release: 2009-04-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 8178299305

Investigates the effects of research in the field of international development.. Examines the consequences of 23 research projects funded by Canada's International Development Research Centre in developing countries. Shows how research influence public policy and decision-making and how can contribute to better governance.

Higher Education and Capacity Building in Africa

Higher Education and Capacity Building in Africa
Author: Hanne Kirstine Adriansen
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2015-11-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 131756152X

Higher education has recently been recognized as a key driver for societal growth in the Global South and capacity building of African universities is now widely included in donor policies. The question is; how do capacity building projects affect African universities, researchers and students? Universities and their scientific knowledges are often seen to have universal qualities; therefore, capacity building may appear straight forward. Higher Education and Capacity Building in Africa contests such universalistic notions. Inspired by ideas about the ‘geography of scientific knowledge’ it explores what role specific places and relationships have in knowledge production, and analyses how cultural experiences are included and excluded in teaching and research. Thus, the different chapters show how what constitutes legitimate scientific knowledge is negotiated and contested. In doing so, the chapters draw on discussions about the hegemony of Western thought in education and knowledge production. The authors’ own experiences with higher education capacity building and knowledge production are discussed and used to contribute to the reflexive turn and rise of auto-ethnography. This book is a valuable resource for researchers and postgraduate students in education, development studies, African studies and human geography, as well as anthropology and history.

Think Tanks, Governance, and Development in Africa

Think Tanks, Governance, and Development in Africa
Author: Frank L.K. Ohemeng
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2024-05-02
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1800379870

This significant book addresses an important missing link in the literature on politics, governance, public policy and administration in sub-Saharan Africa. It contributes to the understanding of the emergence of independent institutions that are now playing active roles in formulating and implementing public policies and programs in these countries.

The Next Generation of Scientists in Africa

The Next Generation of Scientists in Africa
Author: Beaudry, Catherine
Publisher: African Minds
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2018-11-23
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1928331939

Young scientists are a powerful resource for change and sustainable development, as they drive innovation and knowledge creation. However, comparable findings on young scientists in various countries, especially in Africa and developing regions, are generally sparse. Therefore, empirical knowledge on the state of early-career scientists is critical in order to address current challenges faced by those scientists in Africa. This book reports on the main findings of a three-and-a-half-year international project in order to assist its readers in better understanding the African research system in general, and more specifically its young scientists. The first part of the book provides background on the state of science in Africa, and bibliometric findings concerning Africa’s scientific production and networks, for the period 2005 to 2015. The second part of the book combines the findings of a large-scale, quantitative survey and more than 200 qualitative interviews to provide a detailed profile of young scientists and the barriers they face in terms of five aspects of their careers: research output; funding; mobility; collaboration; and mentoring. In each case, field and gender differences are also taken into account. The last part of the book comprises conclusions and recommendations to relevant policy- and decision-makers on desirable changes to current research systems in Africa.