Academy of Science South Africa 2005/6 Annual Report

Multi-year Strategic PlanASSAfCharitable foundations in countries such as the USA are generally interested in direct, forperformancegrants, but they do significant grant making outside their home domain and a select few ofthem may see the long-term sustainability of an independent and effective science academy as worthy ofsubstantial, endowment-type support. Industry are likely to support national academies only if they seeclear evidence of practically beneficial outcomes of academy activities.The Academy needs a dedicated fundraising group with an activist convenor or chair, committed todoing everything possible to persuade potential funders to provide significant financial support for theAcademy and its activities, outside of the present “get-paid-for-a-job-well-done” model.(H) How will we know the Academy has been successful throughimplementation of its Strategic Plan?The first category of indications will be in the scholarly community, where the outcome of the ASSAfmembership elections each year will be keenly awaited and nationally reported, including high-profileinstitutional recognition for new members from the ranks. Membership of the Academy will be the “apexaspiration“ of each scholar; participation in Academy business a high priority; award of its medals andprizes the most significant form of being honoured, and the Academy route of contributing to nationalaffairs a personally and collectively preferred one.A second category of outcomes will be in national policy making and evidence-based information, wherethe Academy will be seen as the best source of evidence-based advice on matters requiring scholarlyanalysis and a “scientific consensus”;ASSAf’s independence of government influence is prized, not least by the government itself; andan admirable level of consistent professionalism has been achieved in the processes of setting up andoperating consensus panels and steering committees that produce credible and useful public reports.The third category of enhanced functioning will be in the international arena, where ASSAf will beactive in selected niche partnerships that are well-integrated into other forms of international liaison,Annual Report 2005/0685