Today is World Science Day for Peace and Development and it is being celebrated for the first time in Seychelles.
For this occasion activities are being organised by the newly set up National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (Nisti) that has the mandate to foster the growth and development of Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) through its policy, guidelines and strategy. These include a national research and development and innovation survey from November 14 to 28; a half-day validation workshop on the national science, technology and innovation policy and strategy on November 17; a half-day workshop on the optimisation of laboratory and research facilities at national level based on the audit and findings on the national capabilities of laboratories and research facilities and the launch of a science, technology and innovation club in collaboration with Beau Vallon secondary school before the end of this month.
World Science Day for Peace and Development was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation (Unesco) in 2001 and is celebrated every year on November 10 and highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues.
It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.
World Science Day for Peace Development aims at making sure citizens are kept informed of developments in science, while linking it more closely with society. It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of our planet and making our societies more sustainable.
Since its proclamation, World Science Day for Peace and Development has generated many concrete projects, programmes and funding for science around the world. It has also fostered cooperation between scientists living in regions marred by conflict, one example being the Unesco-supported Israeli-Palestinian Science Organisation (IPSO) Unesco 2016.
“As from today Nisti intends to bring awareness on the role that STI plays in the community and in society at large. The inclusion of STI across all sectors and programmes of our socio-economic development is crucial in taking Seychelles through a transition to a knowledge-based economy in the next ten years as evidence has shown there is a strong correlation between the investment in STI and socio-economic growth,” said Xavier Estico, chief executive of Nisti.
“Science brings about economic development. It creates stability in the country and it also brings peace as peace is needed for development. It is not only science but science, technology and innovation. What we want to explain is science in itself is about research and scientific discovery which is then used for technology development. Technology then supports the development of innovation. It is for this reason that the institution is not a science one but for all three sectors,” Mr Estico explained.
He added it is in this context that Nisti is mandated to have all three – science, technology and innovation – at the centre of development across all programmes and sectors as countries which have invested in science, technology and innovation has high socio-economic growth and stability. Nisti, Mr Estico said, will transit Seychelles through an efficient-driven economy to a knowledge-based one. And to achieve this Mr Estico said they need to work together with stakeholders; instill that love for science in school children to gain the country’s future scientists.
It is to be noted that the Nisti policy is in a draft stage and will be validated on November 17.
On society level, Mr Estico said the institution wants to create awareness on how science, technology and innovation impact on community and everyday life of everyone.
He cited examples like household gadgets (electrical jug, kettles, iron, refrigerators); internet, emails, whatsapp; mobile phones just to name some. He also mentioned airlines which contribute significantly in our national development.
“The awareness is not there as we take things for granted. And there is an urgent need to get children interested in science since an early age so as to achieve such a goal,” said Mr Estico.
Source : Seychelles NATION