1. SADC Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy review and Statistics meeting Republic of Zambia Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training P. O. Box 50, 464 Lusaka – Zambia September 2008

2. Background The revision of Zambias National Policy on Science and Technology commenced early this year (2008) and the process is being coordinated by a Team of eleven (11) experts, which was constituted by the Zambian Government. The revision of Zambias National Policy on Science and Technology commenced early this year (2008) and the process is being coordinated by a Team of eleven (11) experts, which was constituted by the Zambian Government. The Members on the Review Team were picked from various sectors, of the economy, such as: The Members on the Review Team were picked from various sectors, of the economy, such as: - Agriculture; - Health; - Energy; - Education; - Engineering; - Mining; - Industry; - Environment and natural resources

3. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN Since its inception, in April 2008, the Review Team has held several review meetings. Since its inception, in April 2008, the Review Team has held several review meetings. The Review Team has also been convening stakeholders consultative workshops; The Review Team has also been convening stakeholders consultative workshops; At these workshops,only key stakeholders are invited. At these workshops,only key stakeholders are invited. The main purpose of these meetings is to get views and comments from the stakeholders on the contents of the policy. The main purpose of these meetings is to get views and comments from the stakeholders on the contents of the policy. The consultative workshops also aim at getting the views of the stakeholders on the performance of the current national S&T policy. The stakeholders are also requested to make specific suggestions/recommendations on the way forward The consultative workshops also aim at getting the views of the stakeholders on the performance of the current national S&T policy. The stakeholders are also requested to make specific suggestions/recommendations on the way forward

4. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN CONTD. Since it is not possible to bring all the stakeholders, in the country, to one place – due to logistical reasons, the Review Team sometimes undertook visitations to various institutions. The reason for this is to ensure that as many stakeholders as possible participate in the review process. Since it is not possible to bring all the stakeholders, in the country, to one place – due to logistical reasons, the Review Team sometimes undertook visitations to various institutions. The reason for this is to ensure that as many stakeholders as possible participate in the review process. The visitations helped the Review Team to get information very quickly, without having to wait for very periods of time.

5. STATUS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS After getting the views of the stakeholders, the Review Team started the process of drafting the revised Policy, in August this year. After getting the views of the stakeholders, the Review Team started the process of drafting the revised Policy, in August this year. The process is progressing very well and the Review Team has come up with a Zero Draft. The process is progressing very well and the Review Team has come up with a Zero Draft. The Zero Draft will again be circulated to the same stakeholders that we consulted. The reason for this is for the stakeholders confirm that their views and submissions have been correctly captured. The Zero Draft will again be circulated to the same stakeholders that we consulted. The reason for this is for the stakeholders confirm that their views and submissions have been correctly captured. Plans are also underway to bring the stakeholders to one place where the draft document is going to be discussed. Plans are also underway to bring the stakeholders to one place where the draft document is going to be discussed.

6. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED As indicated above, the revision of Zambias National Policy on Science and Technology has reached a very advanced stage. All the same, there is still a lot of work that still needs to be done. Assistance is required for the following activities:

7. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED CONTD Visitations, by members of the Review Team, to other countries (2) that have recorded significant progress in science and technology. These visitations are aimed at sharing experiences and learning from others on the best practices in science and technology. Visitations, by members of the Review Team, to other countries (2) that have recorded significant progress in science and technology. These visitations are aimed at sharing experiences and learning from others on the best practices in science and technology. Continued consultations so that as many stakeholders as possible are consulted and involved in the review process. Continued consultations so that as many stakeholders as possible are consulted and involved in the review process. We would also need assistance to help us in monitoring & evaluating the implementation of the revised policy. This M&E will also help us to update our statistics in S&T. We would also need assistance to help us in monitoring & evaluating the implementation of the revised policy. This M&E will also help us to update our statistics in S&T.