SPECIAL FEATURE

CSIR ICC to serve as worldfirst hub for Africa’s Science Diplomacy Capital (SDCfA)

In a world first, the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) recently launched the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) at the CSIR ICC, supported by the National Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) and the City of Tshwane (CoT). While Science Diplomacy Capital initiatives exist in cities such as Barcelona and Geneva, this is the first such initiative initiated and hosted by an international convention centre and its partners.

The City of Tshwane hosts over 100 diplomatic missions and many of South Africa’s leading research and academic institutions, making it the appropriate SDCfA host city. The location of the CSIR ICC, in the centre of the innovation precinct in Tshwane east, positions it as a fitting hub for networking, both curated and serendipitous, between the diplomatic, science and technology communities aimed at addressing common problems facing humanity.

“The SDCfA promotes science collaboration across Africa and beyond and is intended to leverage technological innovation responding to major challenges facing the continent. As the CSIR, we are therefore honoured to be hosting this initiative at our International Convention Centre, which will serve as the hub of the initiative and is a facility, which its service and resources, I am confident will be able to add significant value to science diplomacy initiatives and events,” said CSIR chief executive officer, Dr Thulani Dlamini.

The CSIR ICC hosts numerous leading South African, African, and global science related events each year, such as the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) and is the ideal venue for science-related business events, given its location in South Africa’s education- and research-rich capital city.

“Our history, location and track record of hosting scientific business events mean that we are well-resourced to offer the SDCfA suitable facilities and services. The CSIR ICC understands that it has a direct positive effect on stimulating economic development, creativity and innovation through its facilitation and hosting of knowledge-sharing business events. These are of great benefit to local and regional knowledge communities, as well as the internationally represented diplomatic corps, and the CSIR ICC is set up to provide the best possible setting. We look forward to being able to play an increasingly proactive role in facilitating opportunities to create solutions, and it is exciting to see our country and our continent rising onto the global stage in this arena,” Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, CSIR conferencing and accommodation group manager, concluded.

Antony John Phillipson, High Commissioner, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

CEO of the CSIR, Dr Thulani Dlamini. Prof. Felix Dapare Dakora, President AAS.

Ms Jansie Niehaus, Civil Society Executive Director NSTF.

Prof. Felix Dapare Dakora, President AAS.