FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA (NACOSTEP I)

Abstract

The need for science and technology policy began to be felt more strongly since the Popular Revolution of Ethiopia in 1974. Although a variety of important science and technology issues have, from time to time, been raised and discussed no attempt had been made to formulate a coherent S&T policy for the country. The important role that science and technology can play in socio-economic development began to be recognized and appreciated in the past few years. This awareness has led to the recognition by the Workers* Party and the Government of Ethiopia that there is an urgent need to formulate a national science and technology policy. Two important steps taken in this regard are the inclusion of a chapter in the Country's Ten-year Perspective Economic and Social Development plan, and the issuance, by the Party, of a general policy in the sphere of science and technology. It is now realized that a coherent and comprehensive science and technology policy should be formulated to create and guide a more viable and dynamic S&T system in the country. The Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission has undertaken this important task of drafting a S&T policy, and in an attempt to do this systmatically, it has proceeded as follows. It was realized at the outset that the drafting of a S&T policy should be preceded by an assessement of the S&T situation of the country for the purpose of identifying the major weaknesses that have hindered the creation of a self-reliant and viable S&T system. This was done and the result of the survey has been compiled in a report. The Party's policy on science and technology and the Ten-Year Perspective Plan of the country were also carefully studied to ensure the conformity of the policy to be drafted with these documents. The experience of other countries in the formulation and implementation of the S&T policies were carefully considered by reading and studying several documents on this topic. Four teams of experts were also sent to various countries to study the methodology used and the issues considered in formulating a science and technology policy. The countries visited were the People’s Republic of China, Bulgaria, Egypt and India. The visits lasted for a period of two to four weeks. These study visits formed the basis for the preparation of comprehensive reports by each group. It was also considered useful to obtain consultants who would assist in the drafting of the S&T policy. Two consultants were therefore obtained through the assistance of the United Nations Financing System for Science and Technology for Development and the UNDP. ' These two consultants studied the S&T situation by consulting compiled reports and data and through of four weeks and prepared a report on their findings and forwarded their recommendations. Two other expert advisors were also obtained from the State Committee for Science and Technology of the Soviet Union to assist in this national endeavor. They studied the draft policy as well as the S&T situation in the Country for about three weeks and prepared their comments in a report. h committee was subsequently constituted to draft the national science and technology policy of the country. This committee, after several attempts prepared the first draft. This draft was forwarded to various individuals and organizations for comments. The comments received were carefully studied and incorporated in the second draft of the policy. it was then found useful to consider the various aspects of the draft before it is presented to the National Conference on Science and Technology Policy Formulation for discussion and further elaboration. To this effect the senior staff members of the Commission organized a two-day workshop at which the draft policy was revised chapter by chapter. This third draft of the policy is to be presented at the National Conference on S&T policy formulation for further revision. The revised fourth draft of the policy would then be forwarded to the Government for consideration and approval.