Academy of Science South Africa 2005/6 Annual Report

ASSAfMulti-year Strategic PlanScientific thought and activity enrich usprofoundly – promoting science for the societyASSAf has established itself asan inclusive but merit-basedbody that fits contextually intoSouth Africa’s democracy.To play a significant role in the international science system, particularly in Africa, throughorganisations such as the InterAcademy Panel (IAP) and the InterAcademy Council (IAC), theAcademy of Sciences of the Developing World (TWAS), the International Council on Science (ICSU), aswell as the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), all in the context of the New Partnershipfor Africa’s Development (NEPAD).(D) An analysis of ASSAf’s strengths, weaknesses,opportunities and threats made early in 2006To quote from the 2004-5 ASSAf Annual Report: “ASSAf has established itself as an inclusive but merit-basedbody that fits contextually into South Africa’s democracy because it seeks primarily to apply scientific thinking andknowledge for the good of a society with major development needs and objectives. A number of historical factorshave not made the Academy’s path particularly smooth, but a combination of warm international recognition in anevolving new world science academy system on the one hand, and increasing internal recognition and support byGovernment (at ministerial and department level) as well as by civil society and academia, on the other, are givingmomentum to the Academy’s upward trajectory. Increased capacity and activity are the essence of ASSAf’s futurerole within our country as well as through partnerships with other science academies on the African continent, andgenerally. The key activity by which the Academy will carve out its national reputation will be the production ofauthoritative reports on key evidence-based issues affecting the nation’s future; much effort will henceforth go intothis aspect. The Academy’s core asset is its membership; the involvement and contribution of members determine theextent and scope of our potential contribution.”ASSAf’s strengthsASSAf is South Africa’s ONLY statutory, national science academy and is recognised as such by thecountry’s government and internationally (represents SA in the IAP/IAC global system, and in NASACon the African continent).72 Promoting Excellence in Science for Society