Event Report: World Science Forum South Africa

The World Science Forum was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa by the Department of Science and Innovation and partner organisations from 5 - 9 December 2022. The programme consisted of keynote lectures, 28 thematic sessions and several side-events all centred on the theme "Science for Social Justice".

On the 7th of December, Professor Ncube co-moderated a session entitled Establishing an African knowledge democracy for increased social justice and development  with Prof Iqbal Parker, which was organised by Ina Smith, Planning Manager, Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).  The session proceeded in two parts with the first focussing on current methods for the assessment of science, scientists and journals and how knowledge can be democratised. The speakers for this part were Dr Tom Olyhoek, Editor-in-Chief, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and Joy Owango. Founding Director, Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa). The second part focused on the value of open agenda-setting and transparency among grantees and funders of research. The speakers were Prof Felix Dakora, President of the African Academy of Sciences, Prof Thuli Madonsela, Trust Chair in Social Justice, Thuma Foundation for Democracy Leadership and Literacy at Stellenbosch University and Dr Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief, Nature. 

The session was well attended, with hardly an empty seat in the venue. The speakers' talks were very well received and there was robust discussion in the Q&A sessions.