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Repositioning ATPS for Maximum Impact
For the tasks ahead, ATPS has reconstituted and reinvigorated its national chapters that have grown from 15 to 22 as it embarks on the gradual expansion into Southern Africa and French-speaking West Africa. The national chapters inform on what technology policy issues are urgent in the countries and work as outlets for dissemination and advocacy. The chapters have been given greater autonomy and resources in order to increase their visibility and policy impact. However, the resources are far from adequate.
In spite of this, we are already beginning to see innovative ideas emanating from the chapters. Whether it is in response to the land redistribution question in Zimbabwe, the constitutional review process in Kenya, the poverty alleviation program in Sierra Leone, the poverty reduction strategic papers in Africa, the information and communication technology policy in Nigeria, or in designing model ICT policy for Africa, ATPS members are using their research and experience to address the technology policy issues involved.
As a knowledge broker, ATPS is now casting its nets wider in search of knowledge. The network is engaging scholars both in and outside Africa to tap into their vast knowledge of technology policy issues and passing such knowledge to African policy-makers.
Using our new Technopolicy Brief Series, we are addressing current issues such as the intellectual property rights regimes and their implications for Africa, the place of technology policy in poverty alleviation, trade-related intellectual property rights and technology transfer, the United Nations conventions and technology transfer, globalization and technology, among others. Other information and knowledge outlets include the Working Paper Series, the Special Paper Series and the Research Paper Series. Workshops and policy roundtables are being used to complement and improve the impact of these publications. In pursuing our program of work, ATPS plans to partner and respond to the technology policy needs of the following constituencies:
- Policy-makers
- Legislators (sub committees on science and technology)
- The organized private sector
- Polytechnics and schools of engineering
- Farmers and small-scale producers
The mass media National chapters are required, in conjunction with ATPS, to organize and target research results, policy briefs and other materials to these constituencies in a timely manner. Building the constituency for technological revolution in Africa would require active participation of all the stakeholders. The premier role of the media in this regard is recognized by ATPS.
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