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Partnerships and Networks
ATPS & SCIDEV Working Together to train Journalists in Science Communication
Bridging the gap between research, policy and innovation
 The African Technology Policy Studies
Network (ATPS), in collaboration with the
Science and Development Network (SciDev.
Net) of United Kingdom sponsored a
workshop: Science Communication for
Sustainable Development, in Entebbe,
Uganda for selected science and technology
writers from all over Africa.
The four-day event, running from 29
September to 3 October 2002 attracted
scientists, public relations officers, print
and radio/TV journalists along with
professionals from academies of science,
government departments, science and
technology institutions and nongovernmental
organizations.
Molding S&T Policy Ambassadors
Thesis Grants: ATPS seeks to support the ATPS sponsored, Lily Aduke, the ATPS Communications and Outreach Officer and six journalists drawn from Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Lesotho, Cameroon and Swaziland national chapters as part of its interest and commitment to the training of science writers to increase capacity in science communication in sub-Saharan Africa. The participation of ATPS brought diversity and additional perspectives to a gathering that was otherwise dominated by participants drawn largely from East Africa. ATPS sees these journalists as science and technology policy ambassadors and hopes to collaborate with them for its media outreach activities in the various countries.
Dr Enoh Tanjong, an ATPS-sponsored participant, described the difficulties he faces in promoting science journalism in Cameroon. He explained that over the last ten years he has been developing a model curriculum for training related to science Molding S&T Policy Ambassadors and communication. He revealed that more science students are interested in taking some courses in journalism, despite the decline in admissions to the science faculty. He also noted that more women are now entering the journalism profession. Tanjong added that there is little evidence of science communication on the ground, but he is hopeful that, "science journalism does have a future in Cameroon with the media becoming more diverse". Tanjong heads the Department of Journalism of the University of Cameroon.
Science Jounalism
Ken Nwogbo, the Senior Correspondent with Champion Newspaper, Nigeria said that although science is reasonably well covered and represented in the news, there is lack of emphasis on how science would contribute to the overall development of Nigeria.
He also pointed out that most journalists were unable to make science reports attractive enough to compete favorably with advertisements or political and business stories. He decried the lack of modern facilities, such as computers and Internet services in 90% of the media houses in his country.
He encouraged journalists to make their stories simple to fit with the focus of the editors. Nwogbo was also sponsored by Science Jounalism ATPS. These testimonies are proof that the interest and commitment of ATPS to the training science writers is timely and worthwhile. Prof Mondo Kayongera, the Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda, during the opening speech, underscored the need for building both regional and individual capacity to bridge the science and technological divides between the developed and under-developed world. This emphasizes the role that ATPS is already playing in this area.
The workshop combined presentations from invited speakers from Africa, Europe and North America, with practical learning exercises and structured discussion groups aimed at sharing and strengthening science communications practices and helping to identify key resource and training needs in the region.
Concensus Statement
A consensus statement was drawn up on the final day, representing the joint views of those who attended the workshop. Among other requests, the meeting urged scientific bodies, including research institutions and scientific academies to actively support science communication, and to enhance the communication of their research to the public. Many in the scientific community that have come to learn of ATPS interest and commitment to the training of science writers and have encouraged it.
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Scientific research on healthcare technology