<p> CONCEPT NOTE1</p><p>Title Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation for Agricultural and Rural Development in Africa</p><p>2012-2013Africa-Wide Women and Young Professionals in Science Competition</p><p>Theme “Feeding 1 billion in Africa in a Changing World” 2012/2013</p><p>Background With a population of approximately 1.03 billion in 2011, and a growth rate of 24 million per annum, Africa’s population is expected to double by 2050. Africa’s chances of halving poverty and hunger by 2015 remain slim. The continent needs to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner as well as find endogenous solutions to respond to the twin challenges of climate change and volatility in food and energy prices. Increasing investments in the agricultural sector and more specifically in science, technology and innovation is seen as a viable option for achieving broad- based agricultural led economic growth, equity and prosperity.</p><p>Africa’s investment in science and innovation remains low; less than 1% GDP and only one African university is listed among the top 500 in the world1; a South African university which is ranked 324th. Enrolment trends in tertiary education in agriculture have been mixed with some countries showing growth e.g. Tanzania and Ethiopia university enrolment grew by 18% and 33% respectively between 1999 and 2007 while other universities experienced either stagnant or declining enrolment e.g. Mozambique (0%), Congo (-1%). Women are under-represented in all areas of policy, education and research and many of Africa’s youthful population; 70% aged 30 or younger, do not see a future in agriculture or science. The continent faces a knowledge and skills gap as ageing scientists and academicians retire and women and youth remain untapped resources. </p><p>Despite the importance of agriculture to the economies of the majority of African countries (32% GDP and 70% employment); domestic and external funding for agricultural research, education, training and extension is not increasing at the required pace. National and international commitments have been made at various fora, but they have either not materialized or reached the levels needed for Africa to make the necessary quantum leap into the 21st century. Budgetary expenditure on agriculture falls short of the stated commitment of 10% GDP which was made by African governments at the 2003 African Union Summit in Maputo, Mozambique. Only eight countries have achieved the target.</p><p>After more than 20 years of under-investment in science, research and education, it has become increasingly difficult to convince policy and decision makers of their potential for sustaining agricultural innovations. Weak institutions, technical deficiencies and lack of the use of evidence to support policy and decision making are at the root of these problems. In responding to the above scenario, a consortium of CTA, FARA, IFS, ANAFE and RUFORUM with the support of AGRA and NPCA as associate partners will build on lessons learned since the launch of the Africa-wide science competitions in 2008. </p><p>1</p><p>Last printed: 09/01/2018 1 of 6 The science competitions seek to promote excellence and recognize and reward African women scientists and young professionals whose scientific contributions and technological innovations have made a positive impact on agricultural development and rural livelihoods. The first two competitions (2008/2009 and 2009/2010) were successful and drew attention to the challenges faced by women and young professionals in science and the need for national as well as international investments to support their work. They also highlighted weakness and contributed to building capacity, supporting networking and opening doors for African women scientists and young professionals. </p><p>The 2012/2013 Africa-wide competitions will evaluate, recognize and reward the contributions of women and young professionals who are involved in:  Pioneering and innovative research, technology development and engineering;  Communicating their research results and technological developments to improve agricultural performance, enhance livelihoods and build resilience of African communities; and  Advocating for policy change and influencing policy processes through their research, education and outreach programmes to transform the agricultural and rural sectors, reduce hunger, improve prosperity and sustain the natural resource base. They will also raise awareness of the need for valuing and sustaining the engagement of women and young professionals in science and facilitating their contribution to Africa’s socio-economic transformation.</p><p>There will be two categories;</p><p>1. Young Professionals in Science (25-40 years); 2. Women in Science. </p><p>Categories Each category is unique and the competitions will follow a meticulous process to identify the top 5 winners in each category. Special prizes will be awarded for ground- breaking science and outstanding communication of outputs that / which would have transformed livelihoods or improved policy. </p><p>The 2012/2013 consortium is made up of CTA, FARA, IFS, ANAFE and RUFORUM, Consortium with AGRA and NPCA as associate partners. National, regional, and international organizations can join the consortium once they meet the established criteria.</p><p>Theme Feeding 1 billion in Africa in a changing world </p><p>Whereas: . Feeding is more than a basket of food or increased food production and includes aspects of knowledge (as food) and economic development (prosperity). . A changing world includes socio-political, environmental and climatic changes. Subthemes Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Food Security . Biotechnology and Bio-safety . Nutritional quality, Agricultural Health and Food Safety . Horticulture, Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture . Seeds and Seed systems</p><p>Postharvest Handling and Value Addition . Postharvest losses</p><p>Last printed: 09/01/2018 2 of 6 . Processing and Packaging . Agricultural Machinery / Engineering</p><p>Environmental and Ecosystem Sustainability . Biodiversity, Forestry, Water and Soils . Renewable Energy . Climate Change</p><p>Policies, Markets, Economics and Trade . Land and Water Governance . Food Price Volatility . Market Access . Value chain development and Innovation systems . Gender</p><p>Tertiary Education, Knowledge Management and ICT . Curriculum development . Teaching and Learning Innovations</p><p>Purpose To recognize and promote excellence in science and innovation for agriculture-led economic growth in Africa.</p><p>Young Professionals (YPOs) in Science Competition The purpose is to identify the promising and innovative research and technology development work of young scientists who are also effectively engaged in communicating the outputs (knowledge, technologies, and approaches) as well as advocating for policy change to optimize the benefits from scientific and technological developments. The competition will demonstrate the critical role of young professionals in science, technology and innovation at all levels (community, national, regional and global), and send strong signals to them and other young professionals that their efforts and initiatives are recognized and valued at the highest policy level. </p><p>Women in Science Competition The purpose is to give recognition to outstanding women engaged in scientific and innovative research and communicating the results and impact of their work on the agricultural and rural sectors e.g. improved productivity, increased incomes and continuous innovation especially to the benefit of women and young farmers and agro- entrepreneurs. The competition is expected to raise the profile of women involved in science and promote them as role models for other women and the youth.</p><p>Specifically the competitions will recognize and reward excellence and showcase women and young professionals as future leaders and innovators in agricultural science and the potential and/or demonstrated impact of their work on Africa’s development. </p><p>Objectives . Short – medium term: rewarding and motivating women and young professionals in science, facilitating networking and creating opportunities for them; . Long term: increasing investments in agricultural science, education and extension and engagement of women and young professionals for ensuring sustainability and greater impact of agricultural science, research and innovation on Africa’s development. </p><p>Outputs & . Contributions of women & YPOs in science who are making a difference to Milestones agricultural science and innovation in Africa published and made widely available; . Mechanism for mentoring promising young professionals in science </p><p>Last printed: 09/01/2018 3 of 6 identified through the competitions, developed and implemented; . Networks created for enhancing knowledge exchange among women and YPOs in science.</p><p>Outcomes . Improved quality and relevance of research, education and outreach of the work undertaken by women and YPOs engaged in science; . Increased recognition of the contribution of women scientists and young professionals to agricultural and rural development; . Increased engagement of women and young professionals in influencing the agricultural science and research policy processes and in setting the agendas for agricultural research and development. . Increased investment in research and development, science and engineering especially to support women and young professionals;</p><p>Improved capability2 of African women and young professionals in science and mpact I enhanced contribution to reducing hunger and improving livelihoods, equity, prosperity and sound natural resource management. </p><p>Approach Through the collective efforts and actions of organizations interested in promoting the development of African science, technology and innovation for agriculture and rural development), a unique system of awarding excellence, will be implemented for women and young professionals in science in Africa and the wider African diaspora3 to spur continuous innovation in agriculture and the wider food system. The organizers and partners with the support of the women and young professionals in science will advocate for policy change, increased investments and support from governments, individuals, philanthropists and institutions. A mentorship scheme supplemented by other capability enhancing support programmes linked to attainment of the goals of CAADP and the African Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action and other initiatives will be developed to strengthen the capability and sustain the network of winners, finalists and other entrants. For 2012-2013, the expert panel will include previous winners from earlier competitions, a youth representative and a gender expert. The expert panel will be complemented by a multi-disciplinary team of distinguished judges who are recognized regionally and internationally.</p><p>Activities To ensure that this is a collective effort with buy-in of key influential organizations and individuals within the science and development community with interest in Africa’s science and agricultural development, the following activities are proposed; 1. A continental and international appeal to expand partnership and attract resources. 2. Steering Committee meetings of the expert panel with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the competitions including: setting up the core group of specialists; identifying the theme for 2012-2013 and developing the implementation plan, budget, criteria for evaluation for all stages of the competition, marketing strategy, finalizing categories and prizes of the awards; developing mentorship schemes and monitoring and evaluation system, and overseeing the processes for post-competition follow-up including mentorship programmes and other opportunities for support and further training. 3. Africa-wide Competitions & Awards Ceremony.</p><p>2 Knowledge set that differentiates and confers competitive advantage. 3 African nationals working or studying abroad and doing research on African issues linked to/and contributing to Africa’s development.</p><p>Last printed: 09/01/2018 4 of 6 4. Skills building training workshop on scientific writing and communication and policy advocacy. 5. Publicity and advocacy, nationally regionally and internationally. 6. Publication and dissemination of outputs 7. Piloting and implementing of the mentorship scheme. 8. Networking support for YPOs and Women in Science</p><p>The competitions are organized in three phases.</p><p>Phase I: Conceptualization, Planning, Organisation & Management 1st and 2nd Expert Planning Meetings (January & June, 2012) Launch and Publicity of Competitions Evaluation of Abstracts and Papers Training Workshop in conjunction with the 3rd RUFORUM biennial Conference 24-28 September 2012, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania</p><p>Phase II: Finals and Award Ceremony and Publication of Outputs 6th FARA African Science Week in June 2013, Ghana Production on Proceedings; Evaluation of best practices & production of synthesis reports on lessons learned; and Production of Policy briefs</p><p>Phase III: Dissemination and Advocacy Dissemination of outputs; lobbying and advocacy for investments and policy change; implementation of mentorship scheme; monitoring and evaluation</p><p>Key Dates . Deadline for submission of 1000-2000 word abstract – 14th May 2012 . Announcement of semi-finalists – 11th July 2012 . Deadline for submission of draft papers – 13th August 2012 . Scientific Writing & Communication workshop, Tanzania – 24-28th September 2012 . Deadline for submission of Final papers – 16th November 2012 . 6th Africa Science Week & FARA General Assembly, Ghana – June 2013</p><p>Beneficiaries Direct – African women and young professionals in science. </p><p>Indirect – African scientists and agricultural stakeholders including policymakers, heads of organizations and the millions of men and women small-scale farmers and agro-entrepreneurs, especially the resource poor, women and youth </p><p>Project location Africa </p><p>Collaborators These competitions are organized by a core group of key institutions working in African agricultural research for development including: - Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA)</p><p>Last printed: 09/01/2018 5 of 6 - Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) - International Foundation for Science (IFS) - African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources (ANAFE) - Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) - NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency (NPCA) (Associate partner) - Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (Associate partner)</p><p>Duration Two years (January 2012 – December 2013)</p><p>Budget Euro 170,000 (Phase I & II; January 2012 – October 2012) to include 2 Expert meetings, launch and marketing of competitions and mentorship scheme and training workshop (scientific writing and presentation skills). Phase III Euro 175,000 to include finals and award ceremony, publication and dissemination of outcomes and advocacy.</p><p>Last printed: 09/01/2018 6 of 6</p>