Science and Technology Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Messages from Japan

For years, ODA Programs and Scientific Research Programs had been separate to each other in many countries. Different scope, funding mechanism, players and community made it all more difficult to coordinate the two. This situation has changed drastically in the past ten years. The rising concern of global climate change, destruction of biodiversity, scarcity of food and water, spread of infectious disease, large scale natural disasters have called science and technology to bring about solutions, but the critical phenomena and interaction largely occur in the developing nations. This has pushed scientific research more in demanding mode to collaborate tightly with the developing nations. Naturally, coordination with developing nations and sometimes with other developed nations became necessary hence elevating role of diplomacy as a promoter of science. On the other hand, the capacity building for intrinsic economic development through innovation has become one of the major streams of development. This drew closer attention to scientific research potential as mediator of developmental diplomacy.

Looking at this trend, the Japanese government, under a banner of Science Diplomacy, has instructed its S&T funding agency(JST) and ODA agency(JICA) to craft program that corresponds to this underlying situation. And so was SATREPS, Science and Technology research Partnership for Sustainable Development, created. The objectives of this program is to acquire new knowledge and technology for global issues that science and technology is expected to bring about solutions, and to spawn innovation through R&D human resource build up in developing nations. 

 Up to now, SATREPS has called joint proposals from research community in Japan and developing nations four times. 49 projects have been adopted with 20 nations so far. The current call had 108 applications which indicate strong interest among the S&T community. I will explain program design and highlight some project for reference to US audience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RosXsvKwUsc

After three years of the marriage of the diverse type of programs, just like marriage of human beings, there are implementation challenges that need to be adjusted and overcome. But more challenging issue is how to get more outsiders interested and engaged in the program. SATREPS requires follow up to accomplish innovation and change, be it commercial, institutional or social, and integration of various stakeholders in ex-post research is essential. Yet innovative approach is needed to kindle interaction between long divided research community and development community. Targeting younger generation for change, we are experimenting new approach where researchers in Japan and abroad can cooperate with other interest communities. The key thought for change here is not uniquely Japanese but stems from my experience in DC and California so US audience should not feel "Not Invented Here".