Academy of Science South Africa 2005/6 Annual Report

ASSAfMulti-year Strategic Planusing best-available evidence and knowledge as drivers of thinking about problems and generatingrecommended solutions; applying multi-disciplinarity and consilience in approach; adhering to thehighest ethical and moral norms; recognising the essentially developmental nature of our societyAND the importance of the natural environment, both for its own sake and from a human utilitarianperspective. These issues and values need to be represented in the Academy’s Strategic Plan.The time frame of the ASSAf Strategic Plan is four to five years, 2006-2009 (perhaps 2010), i.e. theperiod covered by our partnership agreements with the US National Academies.ASSAf’s strategic priorities, based on the Vision and Mission Statements and the situation analysis,and specific actions arising therefrom, should include the following:Carrying out the approved Action Plans of the USNA-ASSAf partnership meticulously and at thehighest performance levels possible, using the evaluation and monitoring aspect of the project toidentify shortcomings and measure deliverables in real terms.Using the ASSAf Report on a strategic approach to conduct research into publishing in South Africaas an exemplary process of dissemination, stakeholder buy-in and facilitated Implementation. Thiswould include the assignment to ASSAf by the respective authorities of on-going responsibilities andfunctions in this area.Proceeding with the first Consensus Study on nutritional influences on human immunity in ways thatestablish best-possible practice, robust but flexible policy frameworks, and an impressively useful Report.Building participatory internal structures of the Academy by eliminating the self-categorisation modeland replacing it with an information matrix generated by the ASSAf General Register of Members.This would serve to generate expert inputs to planning and decision making by the Council and theAcademy at large, as well as to constitute focus area committees, Consensus Panels and SteeringCommittees.Developing a sustainable and manageable rolling model for proposing, processing and managingnew studies.80 Promoting Excellence in Science for Society