Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive

The extremely lowamounts spentby Arab countrieson research anddevelopment havehad a negative impacton Arab innovationperformance in bothquantitative andqualitative termsbut the integration of innovation, youth,and accumulated wealth requires innovativepolicies for improving Arab knowledgeperformance (Zahlan, background paperto the Report).SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYPOLICIESDespite the efforts exerted by Arabscientists and researchers, the extremelylow amounts spent by Arab countrieson research and development have hada negative impact on Arab innovationperformance in both quantitative andqualitative terms. Another outcome ofthis situation is the weak impact of thisperformance and the limited applicabilityof its outcomes. In most Arab countries,scientific research agencies are attachedto higher education systems rather thanto production and service sectors asthey are in industrial countries. This hascontributed to the creation of a wide gapbetween education and research on theone hand and economic and social needson the other.Science and technology policies requirecultural, social, and economic environmentsthat promote participation in a competitiveeconomy and the presentation ofoutstanding products based upon theoutcomes of scientific research. This is whatwill make a reality of the complementaryrelationship between innovation anddevelopment, allowing innovation to feedthe development process and serve as apermanent source for regeneration andprogress. At the same time, developmentwill embrace innovation and realiseits primary role in both encouragingdevelopment and deriving maximumbenefit from its results. Creating policiesthat support science and technology is thusone of the most important steps that Arabcountries need to take in order to respondpractically, competently, and seriously tothe challenges of unemployment amongyouth, human capital flight, and theincreasing drain of financial resources toBOX 5-1Official Arab Initiatives for Invigorating Research and DevelopmentThe Arab Economic and Social Summit, convened in Kuwait from19 to 20 January 2009, affirmed the Arab countries’ commitmentto continue working towards economic and social integration, theencouragement of the private sector and civil society institutionsto play a greater role in the advancement of the economyand development; and the initiation of projects that supportinfrastructure and protect the environment, as well as electricity androad network extension projects. The Kuwait declaration grantedparticular importance to improving education, human development,and health, while reducing unemployment and combating poverty.It also granted importance to the development of trade andindustrial cooperation, as well as to the encouragement of youthand the empowerment of women. Among its most importantrecommendations were the following:• Attention to the development of national statistics agencies andthe provision of the detailed data and statistical indices necessaryfor formulating policies and taking appropriate decisions in thefields of development.• Strengthening the role of the private sector and providingeconomic and environmental legislation appropriate for it andremoving obstacles that prevent the private sector from playingan active role in economic development and in working towardseconomic integration.• Pursuing the goal of human development and raising thehuman capacity of Arab citizens within the framework of theMillennium Development Goals while expanding the scope ofempowerment of women and youth and increasing their workopportunities.Developing educational and scientific research to keep pace withglobal developments while improving and equipping educationalinstitutions to allow them to perform their missions competently;supporting implementation of the education and scientific researchdevelopment plan approved at the Khartoum and Damascussummits; funding scientific research budgets; strengthening tiesbetween Arab research centres; indigenising modern technologies;and making optimal use of the skills of scientists. On a separate front,ministers of higher education and scientific research in the Arabworld meet every two years to discuss issues of common concern.They have agreed that “the Arab world faces a serious challenge inthe fields of higher education, scientific research, and informationtechnology as it enters an era of comprehensive advancement andintegrated knowledge. International and regional circumstances callon us to engage with change from a holistic viewpoint and with anopen mind, for the scope of these cultural challenges is greater thanour capacity to face them.”Although Arab ministers agreed on theserecommendations eight years ago, they have yet to be implemented.Arab officials continue to insist that scientific research forms acomplement to higher education, whereas Western and newlydeveloped countries have moved beyond this limited understandingto tie research directly to industry, trade, and services.Source: The Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organisation, recommendations issued at the meetings held in Abu Dhabi in November 2007 and Sana’a in December 2005. Recommendations of theArab Economic and Social Summit, Kuwait, 19-20 January 2009.184 ARAB KNOWLEDGE REPORT 2009