2012 International Conference "Technologies for Sustainable Development: A way to reduce poverty?

As a UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development, the Cooperation and Development Center (CODEV) will host an international conference concerning Technologies for Sustainable Development: A Way to Reduce Poverty? at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland on 29-31 May, 2012.  The UNESCO Chair intends this to be a key international event that will bring researchers and practitioners together to bridge the gap between the two communities, focusing on collaboration, methodologies, instruments and policies that will lead to integrated and sustainable development with developing and emerging countries.  The Chair encourages submission of abstracts which explore the following themes:

Theme 1:            “Appropriate Technology”? Needs and Participation

Theme 2:            Towards a Sustainable Integrated Development? Partnership and Systems

Theme 3:            Technology: Transfer or Co-Creation? Knowledge Sharing and Empowerment

Overview

Whilst scientific research can be crucial in guiding innovation and development throughout the world it remains often too detached from reality, particularly in developing and emerging countries. Thus, the challenge is to link scientific research and development practices in order to develop a win-win situation in which science and technologies can assist practitioners as well as reply to social needs.

The conference will look at how science and technologies can support both sustainable development in developing and emerging countries and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as defined by the United Nations in 2000. It will bring researchers and practitioners together in order to bridge the gap between the two communities, focusing on collaboration, methodologies, instruments and policies that could be used and/or encouraged. The possibility of a universal tool and policies for science, technology and innovation that could be of assistance in future collaborations will also be introduced.

The conference will offer unique opportunities for the acquisition of skills, information-sharing and networking and will be conducive to:

    - Improving research adapted to the beneficiaries;    
    - Enhancing research practices;    
    - Developing better integrated and interdisciplinary research;    
    - Involving professional and practitioners in these efforts.