Harnessing Technologies for Sustainable Development
SummaryText
Foreword
The report details contrasts in the modern world which are the vast differences in technological development and human well-being - differences most evident in Africa. Poverty and hunger are widespread. AIDS has cut life expectancy by more than 10 years in some countries. Forests are being depleted at the rate of an acre a second due to unsustainable farming practices. And technological development is woefully deficient. In many cases it is the poor, particularly women and children, who suffer the most. They live in environmentally fragile areas, depend on marginal lands, are exposed to health hazards and natural disasters, have very little coping capacity, and have hardly any assets to fall back upon in times of crisis.
This report is about how African societies can reverse these alarming technological trends. Its main message is that harnessing new and emerging technologies is critical for development because "human development is more than just the accumulation of capital and the reduction in distortions (inefficiencies) in the economy; it is a transformation of society, from traditional ways of doing things and traditional modes of thinking."
This report provides a fresh perspective focusing on the major challenges facing Africa as it seeks a rapid transition to sustainable development. The Report recognises that many low-tech, simple solutions are available for many development challenges. For example, biotechnology can produce AIDS treatments that prolong life, but people need to be trained in safe sexual habits so that the benefits are not inadvertently countered.
The report recognises that poor people and poor countries do not have adequate access to technology that can benefit them. They lack the resources, infrastructure, quality of governance, and business environment necessary to attract the foreign investment that can bring technology to their countries. It outlines the key considerations and building blocks for a technology-infused development strategy. It includes lessons about what practices and products have been proven to work, about how to scale them up, and about how to encourage new ideas and initiatives.
The report makes a compelling case for an integrated framework to catalyse the transition of African countries to a sustainable path. It includes several specific recommendations along four critical dimensions: education, innovation, regulation, and delivery.
The report details contrasts in the modern world which are the vast differences in technological development and human well-being - differences most evident in Africa. Poverty and hunger are widespread. AIDS has cut life expectancy by more than 10 years in some countries. Forests are being depleted at the rate of an acre a second due to unsustainable farming practices. And technological development is woefully deficient. In many cases it is the poor, particularly women and children, who suffer the most. They live in environmentally fragile areas, depend on marginal lands, are exposed to health hazards and natural disasters, have very little coping capacity, and have hardly any assets to fall back upon in times of crisis.
This report is about how African societies can reverse these alarming technological trends. Its main message is that harnessing new and emerging technologies is critical for development because "human development is more than just the accumulation of capital and the reduction in distortions (inefficiencies) in the economy; it is a transformation of society, from traditional ways of doing things and traditional modes of thinking."
This report provides a fresh perspective focusing on the major challenges facing Africa as it seeks a rapid transition to sustainable development. The Report recognises that many low-tech, simple solutions are available for many development challenges. For example, biotechnology can produce AIDS treatments that prolong life, but people need to be trained in safe sexual habits so that the benefits are not inadvertently countered.
The report recognises that poor people and poor countries do not have adequate access to technology that can benefit them. They lack the resources, infrastructure, quality of governance, and business environment necessary to attract the foreign investment that can bring technology to their countries. It outlines the key considerations and building blocks for a technology-infused development strategy. It includes lessons about what practices and products have been proven to work, about how to scale them up, and about how to encourage new ideas and initiatives.
The report makes a compelling case for an integrated framework to catalyse the transition of African countries to a sustainable path. It includes several specific recommendations along four critical dimensions: education, innovation, regulation, and delivery.
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Number of Pages
178
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