Reflections on an (ongoing) experiment in the politics of innovation

Adrian Ely, STEPS Centre

STEPS Centre Conference 2010

New Manifesto ‘ Project - Process and Activities– Seminars

– Background papers

- 2009 STEPS Symposium– Draft Manifesto

Manifesto Roundtables – highlighting different perspectives

Roundtables - feedback

"Judging by the comments from participants, one of the contributions of the round table was precisely to have created a space to discuss and exchange opinions and perspectives about the themes of the [Manifesto] in an environment of cordiality and mutual respect."

Venezuela roundtable report

Roundtables - feedback

“In both the events, participants shared that the engagement with this project had led to a change in their perception of women's experiential knowledge and science and technology innovation… the awareness of the participants on issues which shape science and its direction was the most important aspect of this discussion…”

Marathmoli report (Maharashtra, India)

Roundtables - feedback

“Such events needed to be turned into processes that generate sufficient momentum to translate the Manifesto’s proposals into national policies and programmes and develop research or project proposals for policy reviews.”

Zimbabwe roundtable report

"If you had to make one recommendation to the UN, or another global body, about the future of innovation for

sustainability and development, what would it be?"

A New Vision and a 3D Agenda

A New Vision

That science, technology and innovation work far more directly for social justice, poverty alleviation and the environment.

This requires a new politics of innovation – globally, nationally, locally.

A New 3D Agenda

Direction

Distribution

Diversity

Direction

Which kinds of innovation, along which pathways, towards what goals?

Within any given field, there are many alternatives, entailing political choices and trade-offs

Power and political-economic interests support and ‘lock-in’ some pathways – these need to be challenged, and alternatives recognised and supported

Distribution

Who is innovation for? Whose innovation counts? Who gains and who loses?

Inclusive deliberation over equity and justice implications

Poorer and vulnerable people centre-stage – choosing, promoting, innovating – supported by social movements and civil society

Diversity

What combinations of innovation do we need to address particular challenges?

Diversity of innovation pathways is vital:•To avoid lock-in•For sensitivity to varied socio-ecological settings•For resilience in the face of uncertainty

Therefore nurture experimental niches, integrate technical with social / organisational innovation

Areas for Action

Agenda Setting – national and international bodies to allow more inclusive and networked governance

Funding – increasing investments with transparent accounts, incentives for private sector, citizen involvement in allocations

Capacity Building – bridging professionals

Organising – lateral networks, open source platforms

Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability – new indicators and data, transparency

Other manifestos

- EC Research for Sustainability and the European Union: From Wish to Will - A Manifesto- Bonn Manifesto for the protection and sustainable use of common goods- Who Owns Science: The Manchester Manifesto- Manifesto on the future of knowledge systems: knowledge sovereignty for a healthy planet-‘Knowledge Swaraj’ Manifesto (KICS)- African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) Manifesto- ‘Big Potatoes: The London Manifesto for Innovation’

Moving forward

Contributing to and helping to catalyse a vigorous, new global politics of innovation

•Common inspiration, diverse contributions•Plurality: multiple people, ideas, levels•Inclusiveness: multiple manifestos•Beyond ‘the project’ to the ‘movement’•Linking bottom-up ideas and action with global/ high level moments

From manifestos to mobilisation?

Regional networks•Africa: ATPS Manifesto•India: KICS Manifesto, Marathmoli, Indian Science Congress•Latin America: IVIC Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia•China: CISTP

International organisations and networks•TWAS and TWOWS•UN organisations: UNESCO, UNCTAD (UNCSTD)•Globelics, Science and Democracy Network•Global Knowledge Initiative

Global debates and initiatives•Rio plus 20•Aid agendas beyond the MDGs