Re-imagining how advisory bodies can be institutionalised and be inclusive and responsive

“Advances in science technology and innovation must serve both the people and the planet. The world we are living in is going through a period of profound global transformation marked by existential threats and the suffering of countless people”. 

These are words of the Director General of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Dr Mlungisi Cele.

He was addressing a dinner with global thought leaders on the sidelines of the Science Forum South Africa 2025. The event was jointly hosted by the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), a subsidiary of the DSI, and the University of Johannesburg.

Shaping future-ready science and technology

In her opening remarks, NACI’s acting chief executive officer, Anneline Morgan, outlined the purpose of the event, saying the event aimed to reflect on the pivotal role of the scholarly advisors in shaping future-ready science, technology and innovation policies. 

She said the dialogue sought to deepen the interrogation of research-based insights into policy making at provincial and national levels. 

This can be achieved by fostering meaningful engagements between international thoughts leaders and the South African National Systems of Innovation stakeholders, she said. In addition, the event provided an opportunity to  re-imagine how advisory roles can be institutionalised in ways that are inclusive, responsive and forward-looking. 

Global alignment of policies

The theme of the event was: “The role of scholarly advice in shaping future-ready science, technology and innovation (STI) policies”.  Morgan said the 1996 White Paper on STI has provided a foundation for the national systems of innovation, and has provided a critical framework that guided the STI policy and institutional reforms and this is still holds today. She said there is a global consensus that science must be placed at the centre of sustainable development and societal progress. 

According to Morgan, this aligns with the positions of other important bodies such as the African Union, G20 and BRICS, she said. For instance, the AU’s Science,Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 vision,  positions STI at the centre of the continent’s knowledge economy. 

Similarly, G20 underscores STI as the catalyst for equitable, inclusive and sustainable growth ensuring that innovation serves humanity as public good. BRICS also endorses and recognises STI as a pillar of development and economic growth.

Exploring innovative ways

Dr Cele’s address - read by Deputy Director-General: Institutional Planning and Support, Gugu Zwane in his absence - reminded the participants about the 2024 meeting of heads of state and government officials at the UN where they reflected on the future of “our shared world”. 

He said even though the situation in the globe is characterised by turmoil and instabilities, this provides an important opportunity and a platform to use science to reflect and explore innovative ways of deepening co-operation rooted in humanity.  

He said the DSI’s White Paper directs them that “science must serve a purpose”and this is in line with their mantra to place STI at the centre of government, education and society. 

Navigating and anticipating future challenges

“This gathering is a call for reflection in an era defined by rapid technological changes such as climate uncertainties and shifting global dynamics. The bridge between research and policy has never been more critical. Academic research is one of the most powerful pillars we have to navigate complexities, anticipate future challenges, and design public policies that are both innovative and evidence-based”, said Tilson Manyoni, NACI’s chairperson. 

Strengthening and accelerating transformation

He said in their recent National System of Innovation (NSI) and Transformation Summit, they addressed issues related to the NSI and its achievements in the past. For example, we asked, he said, why the post-apartheid NSI transformation has not yielded the desired outcomes. And how they can deepen and accelerate the transformation of the NSI and knowledge to better serve science, society and the planet.

He said the importance of promoting science as a tool for human advancement was further evidenced by the G20’s adoption of declaration on science emphasising that science should serve humanity. 

Manyoni also highlighted the need to bridge the gap between knowledge generation and policy implementation, saying it is important to strengthen dialogue between academics, society, government and industry.

“It is through these partnerships that research becomes policy and policy becomes progress,” he said, adding “let us make academic research more accessible, relevant, and actionable.”

Leveraging global networks

Fostering collaborations and partnerships as vehicles to advance science also came into sharp focus during the event.  Professor Kraemer-Mbula put this in perspective when she spoke about Globelics and its role. Kraemer-Mbula is the current chair and holder of the DSI/NRF Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation. 

She is also a member of  Globelics, a think-tank that plays a pivotal role as a global network that leverages expertise in policy design, good practices including an advisory role. 

We are meeting at the time when science, technology and innovation systems are under pressure to respond to multiple transitions such ecological, technological, geopolitical and social transitions, said Kraemer-Mbula. 

“Globelics provides concepts that assist governments to make sense of complexity. The concept of innovative systems, as a restructuring framework, has been taken up in many parts of the world including South Africa,” said Professor Kraemer-Mbula. 

South Africa’s White Paper of 1996 was informed by the concept of innovative systems and this has been very crucial in guiding the country to design its final policy on STI, she said.  Other countries have also structured or designed their STI policy based on the same model. 

Global South perspective

She said Globelics was founded two decades ago based on the idea that innovation must be understood in context. “It is shaped by history, institutions, and by capabilities, culture, and therefore the perspective from the Global South is very important,” said Professor Kraemer-Mbula. To date the organisation has grown substantially boasting chapters in all corners of the globe, she said, adding that the organisation continues to serve as a vital resource for government on matters related to science and innovation.

It uses comparative studies and reflections from various countries to provide a variety of policy options and frameworks that various government and policy advisors can explore or adopt.