Science and technology on their own are nothing, it is what we do with them that is more important to development.
The twenty-first session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) has ended with key messages emphasizing further action. The weeklong event, which was held from 14 to 18 May 2018, hosted great minds and leaders in science and technology like Ms. Danielle Wood of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sir Roger Penrose, a renowned mathematician and physicist, and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, Professor Jacques Dubochet. Through the week, there were many thought-provoking discussions on how we can maximise the benefits of science and technology for sustainable development.
The CSTD showed the world that conversations about science do not have to revolve around gadgets, technology and Artificial Intelligence alone. There is a more societal and human aspect of science that has a lot of potential for growth and sustainable development globally.
The event opened with the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi’s, statement on the need for "heightened policy-level awareness" through discussions with leaders in the field. “Without dialogue between scientists, innovators and policymakers, the world will continue to react to technological change instead of shaping it to our collective aspirations for a better world,” he said.
There were a lot of stimulating discussions on digital literacy, with a focus on youth and gender. According to UNCTAD’s report titled ‘Building digital competencies to benefit existing and emerging technologies with a special focus on gender and youth dimensions’, in higher education, girls represent only 35 per cent of all students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) classes. Additionally, women are more likely than men to lack digital skills. This may be due to biased attitudes towards women and girls and the perception that they are less capable of learning science, lack of access to education, bias in teaching materials and curricula, and much more.
Ms. Sofia Bekele, founder and CEO of DotConnectAfrica Group, added that in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), one out of seven women use the internet, compared to one out of five men. She further explained that “We need to address the digital gender divide to fully bridge the economic divide.”
One solution to bridging the digital gender divide, which grew by one per cent between 2013 and 2016, is to review the education policies in place, and ensure they accommodate new requirements for digital skills training schemes and allow for flexibility so that they continue to adapt to the changing technological landscape.
This is particularly relevant to youth as these policy changes would affect how young people are prepared for the current job market, which is shifting to suit more technological functions. This will in turn lead to better work for youth, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) on decent work and economic growth of the 2030 Agenda.
There was also a lot of focus on the rapid changes of science and technology and their impact on sustainability. Like Dr. Kituyi, Professor Dubochet and Sir Penrose both emphasized that science and technology on their own are nothing, it is what we do with them that is more important to development.
Renewable energy was another important topic at the CSTD. It is also part of SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, so it is no surprise that this was a major theme at the event. In this context, the session focused on the target “to increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix” by 2030.
UNCTAD estimates that 14 per cent of the world’s population (1.1 billion people) have no access to electricity, with 85 per cent living in rural areas. Additionally, 2.8 billion people do not have access to clean forms of cooking, and instead use traditional methods such as wood, coal and animal waste, which can have damaging health, social and environmental consequences.
Renewable energy can play a huge role in improving modern infrastructure in communities and contribute to the implementation of other SDGs such as reduction of poverty (SDG 1); good health and wellbeing (SDG 3); gender equality (SDG 5); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); and climate action (SDG 13).
Olasimbo Sojinrin of Solar Sister Nigeria also highlighted the importance of renewable energy for development. She said, “The impact of even just one light is transformational across a society. It is essential that we do all we can to provide access to modern energy sources.”
To conclude, the CSTD was a unique experience and an opportunity for leaders and novices in STEM to exchange ideas and learn from each other. There is so much potential for science and technology to greatly improve communities and ultimately achieve the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.
