More from the Blog

Bioleft open seeds transference. Photo: Ana María García.

From digital commons to nurturing social relationships: How to practice open source ideas with seeds?

Mariano Fressoli

What happens when you try to transfer open source ideas beyond the digital world? In Argentina we organized a workshop on open hardware and immediately afterward an event on open seeds. Some of the difficulties involved in transferring open source ideas from virtual to more material settings, and from communities of practitioners comfortable with networked, digital culture, to those that are less so, were readily apparent.

Partners

Naomi Marks

The Myanmar Pig Partnership comprises a multidisciplinary team including vets, microbiologists and social anthropologists from across the UK, Myanmar and Vietnam. There are four partners: The University of Cambridge (lead)…

Farmer First Revisited

Manifesto

In the context of current complex and urgent needs for agricultural innovation, effective research and development systems and efficient adaptation methods are required in both advanced and developing economies. This…

NUDGE, NUDGE

Nathan Oxley

Ilse Oosterlaken, one of the participants in our summer school, has blogged about some of the lectures and discussions that have happened so far. One of Ilse’s blog posts reflects…

About Us

Steps Admin

The Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa was a research programme designed to deliver much-needed, cutting-edge science on the relationships between ecosystems, zoonoses, health and wellbeing, with the objective of helping people move…

Approach

Steps Admin

The Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa programme brought together natural and social scientists, including environmental, biological, social, political, and human and animal health researchers. It was an integrated multidisciplinary –…

People

Steps Admin

The Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa team comprised: Neil Anderson Neil is a vet with a PhD in wildlife epidemiology. His research interests centre around the transmission of diseases at the wildlife/livestock/human…

Consortium

Steps Admin

The Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa Consortium was funded by the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) programme. The ESPA programme is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), the…

Diseases

Steps Admin

The Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa programme saw natural and social scientists working on four zoonotic diseases, each affected in different ways by ecosystem changes and having different impacts on…

Publications

Steps Admin

September 2017 People, patches, and parasites: the case of trypanosomiasis in Zimbabwe, was published in the journal Human Ecology. Co-authors include DDDAC partners Ian Scoones, Vupenyu Dzingirai, Neil Anderson, William Shereni and Susan Welburn.   june 2017 A Special Theme Issue of the Philosophical…

India / Gates Foundation / Flickr Creative Commons

WELCOME

Steps Admin

The STEPS Centre is delighted to have been granted new ESRC funding, running until 2016, following our first five years of research. In this new phase we are launching eight…

Media Centre

Steps Admin

World-class scientists from the Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa Consortium are available for interview and to comment on the science of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases, the poverty impacts of…

TALKING TOILETS

Nathan Oxley

Community-Led Total Sanitation is a rapidly-spreading way of getting local people involved in planning toilets and other facilities. CLTS taps into people’s feelings of disgust to encourage action. Photo: Kalangaba…

ILO Kenya Employment Mission: Technical Change, Dualism and Employment

Manifesto

In the late 60s and early 70s there was greater attention to the links between technical change and employment. This was evidenced in several reports in which Hans Singer was involved, especially the later 1972 Mission Report to Kenya for the International Labour Organisation, conducted by Hans Singer, Richard Jolly, and Charles Cooper, which highlighted technical change and the application of ‘modern’ capital intensive technology as an important factor in unemployment and underemployment, and from whence came the ‘distribution with growth’ theory. This was embraced in a speech by World Bank president Robert MacNamara to the Bank’s Governors in Nairobi. The speech was followed by the Bank’s landmark change in policy, “Redistribution with Growth”.

UN Vienna Conference on S&T for Development

Manifesto

The United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) held in Vienna involved years of preparation, regional meetings and significant participation by NGOs, and resulted in several new commitments and institutions. The conference recognised the complexity of directing science and technology toward development goals, and followed growing tensions between the G77 and Group B on negotiating terms of trade, technology transfer, and the broader efforts toward a ‘New International Economic Order’ – highlighting concerns of equity in international relations.

UN First Development Decade

Manifesto

The UN General Assembly passed Resolution 1710 (XVI) to establish the 1960s as the United Nations Development Decade, which called on “Member States and their peoples [to] intensify their efforts to mobilize and to sustain support for the measures required on the part of both developed and developing countries to accelerate progress towards self-sustaining growth of the economy of the individual nations and their social advancement.”

‘Missing Links: Gender Equity in S&T for Development’

Manifesto

Missing Links: Gender Equity in Science and Technology for Development is a 1995 report by the Gender Working Group of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology, one of the first projects of the Commission established in 1993, and which features essays by multiple contributors that explore how science, technology, and gender affect basic human needs in rural areas.

UN Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries

Manifesto

The UN Conference on ‘Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina “reaffirmed the important role of technical cooperation among developing countries as an instrument for the promotion and implementation of economic cooperation among developing countries,” (G77 website) and arose as an effort to become more technically and financially self-reliant.

IDRC, Science and Technology Policy Instruments Project

Manifesto

The Science and Technology Policy Instruments (STPI) project was an extensive research project organised by the International Development Research Centre on the implementation of science policy in developing countries. The STPI project studied the role of science and technology in economic development, particularly in the industrialization process, and looked at: mechanisms of policy formulation, decision making, and policy implementation; factors affecting technological change; and industrial administration.

Sharing Traditional Technology Project UNU

Manifesto

This project, initially supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), later taken up by the United Nations University (UNU), tried to explore how formal science and technology and its associated institutions interact with farmers and other rural inhabitants who have innovated for centuries, albeit in a different way and without the same institutional mechanisms.

UN Declaration: New International Economic Order

Manifesto

UN Declaration for the Establishment of a New International Economic Order (NIEO)
The NIEO was a set of proposals put forward during the 1970s by developing countries through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to promote greater equity in international economic cooperation by reforming the terms of trade, increasing development assistance, reducing developed-country tariffs, and other means.

UNCTAD Committee on Transfer of Technology

Manifesto

In 1974, the Trade and Development Board transformed the Group on Transfer of Technology into the Committee on Transfer of Technology (CTT). During the 1970s, the Committee focused on issues related to the transfer of technology, including terms and conditions for such transfer, reflecting a major preoccupation of developing countries with improving access to foreign technology and ways and means of acquiring it at fairer prices and on fairer conditions.

‘Science, Technology and Development: The role of the UNDP’

Manifesto

The purpose of this advisory note was to present some of the issues important and relevant for the UNDP’s support of projects with a high science and technology component and make specific recommendations. The paper noted how little systematic work has been done to understand the complex processes of the interaction between science, technology and development, especially few empirical studies.

UN Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm

Manifesto

This landmark conference involved the first debate on environment and development and the first call for international cooperation to manage the future of the Earth. The conference demonstrated international recognition of concern for the environment as related to major threats facing the planet: war, overpopulation, hunger, pollution, and depletion of natural resources. Prime Minister Indira Ghandi of India was the only head of state to address this conference.

UNCTAD-III, Santiago

Manifesto

The original resolutions presented by the G77 were on world monetary reform and participation by developing countries in the IMF, but resulted in resolutions on technology transfer and ‘Special Measures for the 25 Least Developed Countries’. There was a heated debate on the terms and conditions of technology transfer being institutionalised in an ‘International Code of Conduct’. Part of the difficulties in negotiations resulted from a divide among the G77 group. Salvador Allende, President of Chile, gave the address.

International Development Research Centre (IDRC) established

Manifesto

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) was created by the Parliament of Canada “to help developing countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic, and environmental problems they face.” IDRC’s work supports “creating a local research community whose work will build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.” (IDRC website)

World Plan of Action for the Application of S&T for Development

Manifesto

In 1971, ACAST submitted a World Plan of Action for the Application of Science and Technology for Development, drawing on the Sussex Report, and highlighting such issues as the need for indigenous capacity-building, the gap between the potential of science and technology and the extent of the latter’s actual use, the weakness of scientific institutions in the developing world, the problem of access to the world’s technology, and brain drain. The World Plan Action focused on building support for a) research toward new knowledge/technology, highlighting priority areas to be developed, b) the application of existing knowledge toward priority areas, c) building up of an indigenous science and technology capacity – institutional structure. (UNACAST, 1971:4) However, since the Advisory Committee did not have direct access to the political decision-making process, the World Plan of Action was not carried forward as hoped. (UNCTAD, 1997:5)

The Sussex Manifesto (The Sussex Group Report)

Manifesto

The UN Advisory Committee commissioned a group of researchers at SPRU and IDS, deemed the ‘Sussex Group’, to produce a report on current issues in science and technology for development and to make some recommendations for the Second Development Decade and the associated World Plan of Action. The report was considered by some ACAST members to be too radical, hence earning the nickname ‘The Sussex Manifesto’.

United Nations Second Development Decade

Manifesto

In the 1960s, ‘development’ strategies emphasised economic growth targets and technical ‘fixes’. Though some countries had achieved target growth rates over that decade, by 1970 there was an acknowledgement that problems of poverty, unemployment, hunger and health had not eased as a result, and so the emphasis shifted toward interest in distribution and equity.

‘Technological Dependence, Monopoly and Growth’ by Merhav

Manifesto

Merhav suggests that developing countries are not likely to repeat the same process of development that the developed countries have done, with regards to industrialisation and growth, and warns against ‘techological dependence’. He also argues that transnational corporate control of technology is a key factor in binding developing economies to an “open economy” policy in the international system.

Bellagio Conference on international agricultural research

Manifesto

At the Bellagio conference, directors of the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations met to discuss addressing world food needs, agreeing to do this through the development of specialised International Agricultural Research Centres, which eventually evolved into the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research network connected to the World Bank. These centres were instrumental in pushing forward the ‘Green Revolution’ and set up a model of science and technology production at ‘centres of excellence’. (Hardin, 2008)

UNCTAD-II, New Delhi

Manifesto

This second UNCTAD conference addressed three main topics, all of which required negotiations and resulted in significant confrontation between the G77 and Group B. These included attempts to agree details of a generalised system of trade preferences, discussions on technology transfer and the situation of the Least Developed Countries which followed into UNCTAD III. UNCTAD II was considered a failure by some, but hope remained for a generalised system of trade preferences as one of the outcomes of the conference. (Bell, 1973)

Innovation: Applying Knowledge in Development, UN Millennium Task Force Report

Manifesto

‘Innovation: Applying Knowledge in Development’, the Report of the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Science, Technology and Innovation’ underscores the critical importance of knowledge and innovation for development in every country. The Task Force on Science, Technology, and Innovation is part of the UN Millennium Project commissioned by the Secretary-General to advise on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

Inter Academy Council Report: Inventing a Better Future

Manifesto

‘Inventing a Better Future: A strategy for building worldwide capacities in science and technology’, a report by the Inter Academy Council “proposes new initiatives to strengthen national scientific capabilities worldwide, to foster opportunities for cooperation among the world’s scientific and technological communities, against the backdrop of rapid globalization and a rapidly increasing disparity in scientific and technological capacities and development.” (UN website)

OAS: Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation for Development

Manifesto

Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation for Development: A Vision for the Americas in the 21st Century. 2nd Edition. Organization of American States, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, Office of Education, Science and Technology.
The report seeks “to help the member states in the formulation of their national development policies and strategies, with emphasis on capacity building for creating decent work, fighting poverty and strengthening democratic governance.” (OAS, 2005:10)

World Summit on Sustainable Development

Manifesto

The World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg in August 2002, addressed emerging and critical issues for the future, reflecting a global shift in emphasis since 1992, from environmental concerns to the more holistic approach of sustainable development focusing on the interrelationships of environment, society, and economy.

UNESCO Regional Centres for Science and Technology

Manifesto

UNESCO establishes an institutional framework of ‘Regional Centres for Science and Technology’, converting its Science Cooperation Offices for Arab States (Cairo), for Asia (New Delhi), and Southeast Asia (Djakarta) into Regional Centers for Science and Technology to join the regional centre for Africa (Nairobi), and another planned for West Africa. Similarly, the Latin American Center for the Application of Science and Technology for Development was established in Sao Paulo, Brazil, by agreement of the Latin American states at a conference in Santiago 1965 (Katz, 1968: 413).

Do It Herself: Women and Technical Innovation

Manifesto

Appleton, H. (ed) (1995) Do It Herself: Women and Technical Innovation, London: IT Publications.
Although women are the majority of small-scale technology users, their technical knowledge and understanding has largely been overlooked. This book tries to address that gap by investigating the contributions of women to technical innovation at a grassroots level, using 22 case studies of technical innovation by women in 16 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

An Assault on Poverty: Basic Human Needs, Science, and Technology

Manifesto

United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development Panel on Technology for Basic Needs.

This book analyzes the role of science & technology in the fight against poverty & the achievement of sustainable & equitable human development, exploring the questions: Does science and technology (S&T) truly have a part to play in meeting basic human needs? Can S&T help the world’s communities secure adequate nutrition, health care, water, sanitary facilities, and access to education and information?

Mission on S&T Policy for a Democratic South Africa

Manifesto

“Out of the discussions surrounding a 1992 symposium on the role of research in transforming South Africa, the democratic movement requested that IDRC support a mission on science and technology (S&T) policy. The Mission on Science and Technology Policy for a Democratic South Africa was seen as a first step in promoting a national debate on this long-neglected issue. Its July 1993 report provides an insightful review of existing S&T policy in South Africa and the institutions involved in its development. This volume presents the Mission’s original report, together with a foreword by Nelson Mandela and a new, in-depth, and critical assessment of the Mission’s work and its impact on the S&T policy debate in South Africa.” (IDRC website)

UNU-IAS: Eco-Restructuring for Sustainable Development

Manifesto

This policy-oriented UN think tank of the UN University-Institute of Advanced Studies utilizes applied research for the advancement of knowledge relevant to the work of the United Nations as well as to its application in the formulation of sound policies and programmes for action, especially regarding sustainable development.

From 1996 to 2001, UNU-IAS’ research programme focused on the challenge of ‘Eco-Restructuring for Sustainable Development’. The concept of eco–restructuring refers to the transformation of technology, economy, society, and lifestyles towards greater sustainability.

A Decade of Reform: S&T Policy in China

Manifesto

“In 1995, and at the request of the Chinese government, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) assembled a team of experts to assess the reforms to China’s S&T sector — reforms that began in 1985 as an initiative of the State Science and Technology Commission (SSTC) of China. A Decade of Reform presents the findings of this ground-breaking mission, the first-ever external examination of societal reform in China.” (IDRC website)

Development as Freedom by Amartya Sen

Manifesto

Development as Freedom, New York: Alfred Knopf, 1999; Worldwide publishers: Cappelen Forlag (Norway); Carl Hanser Verlag (Germany); China People’s University Press (China); Companhia Das Letras (Brazil); Dost Publishers (Turkey); Editions Odile Jacob (France); Editorial Planeta (Spain); Europa Publishers (Hungary); Kastaniotis Editions (Greece); Mondadori Editore (Italy); Nihon Keizei Shimbun (Japan); Oxford University Press (India); Oxford University Press (UK); Prophet Press (Taiwan); Sejong Publishers (Korea); Utigeverij Contact (Holland); Zysk I Ska Publishers (Poland) and Dudaj Publishing (Albanian).

World Conference on Science for the Twenty-First Century

Manifesto

The World Conference on Science, held in Budapest, Hungary from 26th June to 1st July, 1999, was the first global conference on science and society in almost 20 years. The Conference sought to provide a forum for debate by the scientific community and society – including governments, business, NGOs and the general public – to address the opportunities and related ethical dilemmas that scientific developments present, and also the means of increasing social commitment to, and from, science. There was significant attention to the themes of gender and traditional knowledge in the context of science and development, but very little attention to technology and innovation directly. (Oldham, pers. comm.)

Human Development Report 2001

Manifesto

The UNDP, Human Development Report 2001: Making New Technologies Work for Human Development focused on how people, especially in developing countries, can create and use new technology to their benefit. It focuses specifically on how to form new public policies that “lead the revolutions in information and communications technology (ICTs) and biotechnology in the direction of human development.”

Workshop on the Transfer and Development of Environmentally Sound Technologies in Oslo

Manifesto

In the post-Rio period, this workshop was evidence of efforts to devise policies that foster science and technology yet limit ecological degradation, especially in the global South. This workshop aimed to “analyse the issues involved in the generation, transfer, diffusion and financing of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) and to discuss policies and measures to promote this end.” (UNCTAD, 1993: 1) In particular, it focused on both supply and demand side issues of technology transfer.

STEPS Symposium

Manifesto

The STEPS Symposium will bring together an international group of academics, policy-makers, private sector and civil society representatives to explore emerging themes, opportunities and challenges around innovation, sustainability and development,…

Backstory

Nathan Oxley

  At the tail end of the 1960’s the United Nations asked for recommendations on science and technology for development from ‘The Sussex Group’ – a team from the Institute…

Resources

Nathan Oxley

Here you can download  the original 1970 Sussex Manifesto and access a variety of resources on Professor Geoff Oldham’s seminar on the writing of that document forty years ago.

Project presentation

Nathan Oxley

View the Manifesto presentation given by project convenor Adrian Ely at the OECD-UNESCO International Workshop on Innovation for Development: Converting Knowledge to Value. 28-30 January 2009 at OCED headquarters, Paris.

About us

Nathan Oxley

The team working on the Innovation, Sustainability, Innovation: A New Manifesto are members of the STEPS Centre along with Professor Geoff Oldham, one of the authors of the original 1970 Sussex Manifesto, and…

SALZBURG: WHAT NEXT?

Julia Day

By JULIA DAY, STEPS Centre member The conference defined some critical points of leverage, where delegates and their organisations can achieve a sustainable impact on priorities.The essential ingredients of a…

DEATH BY WATER

Julia Day

The Guardian’s economics editor Larry Elliott turns his attention to sanitation today, in particular, the situation in Bangladesh. “The vacuum [of action on sanitation] needs to be filled – by…