International Climate Champions 2011 : Call for Applications

International Climate Champions 2011 : Call for Applications

British Council India invites applications for International Climate Champions Programme 2011

150 International Climate Champions across India with a passion for the environment and an interest to mitigate the effects of climate change are making a difference. Join them and explore a gamut of opportunities to make a difference in the fight against climate change.

As a British Council International Climate Champion, you will raise awareness, address impacts through a project and contribute to the growing international consensus on the need to tackle climate change. We will support you with training and guidance as well as opportunities but the ideas and time will come from you.

International Climate Champions is a youth oriented programme run by the British Council in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). This programme is part of British Council's global project called 'Climate Generation' which is delivered through a network of Climate Champions across 60 countries and eight Regions. It is directly aimed at young people aged 18-21 and through them will engage leaders and influencers in the society, as well as reaching out to the wider community. Climate Generation engages young people with a proactive interest in climate change and wish to take positive action at local, national and international levels.

Who can apply?
If you are:
-an Indian citizen
-aged between 18-21 years (as on 26 June 2011) and
-have a climate change project idea that can make a lasting impact on your community, nationally, internationally
then we want to hear from you.

How to apply?
Read the Terms and Conditions http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-projects-climate-icc-terms_and_conditions_2011-12.doc

If you meet the criteria click here to apply online http://www.britishcouncil.org.in/Surveys/CCIndia/

Your application should reach British Council by 26 June 2011 5pm

Before you proceed with filling the application, here are a few things to note:
There are some questions that require detailed answers, so gather your thoughts before you start filling it.

Two sections in the application, will require some thinking before you start writing:
Section 2 - In no more than 150 words tell us why you want to become an International Climate Champion. Illustrate your interest and the work you have been involved in so far in the area of Climate Change and Environment
Section 3 - In no more than 350 words, describe the project you would like to undertake as an International Climate Champion. Please ensure that you cover the points below in your description.
* Your project's aim and objectives
* How you will implement your project?
* Finances required for your project and how you intend to fund the same?
* What your project will achieve (the impact and lasting legacy)?
* How you plan to measure the impact?

Go ahead and apply. if successful, you will become part of this growing network of Climate Champions who are working in 60 countries across the world to make a change.

For any queries
North India: Reesha Alvi
Email: reesha.alvi@in.britishcouncil.org

West India: Chetan Mehta
Email: mumbai.enquiry@in.britishcouncil.org

East India: Radhika Singh
Email: radhika.singh@in.britishcouncil.org

South India: Kumaran Sriram
Email: kumaran.sriram@in.britishcouncil.org
 
Further Details: http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-projects-climate-international-climate-champions-2011.htm

Launching INDIALICS (Indian Network for Learning about Innovation and Competence Building Systems) during International Seminar on Innovation, Sustainability and Development at NISTADS; June 28-30

International Seminar on Innovation, Sustainability and Development

June 28-30, 2011

Organised by:

NISTADS, New Delhi; Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Trivandrum; and STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, UK

Venue: Conference Hall, NISTADS, New Delhi, India

NISTADS, New Delhi; Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Trivandrum and STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, UK invite you to participate in the International Seminar on Innovation, Sustainability and Development to be held from June 28-30, 2011 in NISTADS Delhi in India. All of you are well aware about the Prime Ministerial declaration on the current decade as the decade for innovation, and the Government's strong policy thrust on innovation for inclusive growth. This seminar will provide a structured process for undertaking the state of the art thinking on the theme of innovation and sustainable development to the Indian policy makers, civil society, scientific and technological communities and users in all spheres. Through this seminar we wish to propose that the thinking on innovation should go beyond growth in India. In the past the innovation making processes have revealed insufficient concern about sustainability and development within the contents of S&T and development policy.

In this seminar we also wish to take advantage of the network under development in the name of INDIALICS (Indian Network for Learning about Innovation and Competence Building Systems) as a part of the international Global Network of Economics of Learning, Innovation and competence Building Systems (GLOBELICS). This network would be launched in the concluding session of this seminar. The proposed platform of INDIALICS and the seminar planned by NISTADS in collaboration with CDS and STEPS on innovation, sustainability and development are a step in the direction to find out not only where we stand with regard to the thinking within the community of practitioners of innovation but also a platform for interaction with them to propose solutions on these concerns in the area of implementation of innovation.

We believe that the initiatives being proposed on governance of innovation activity in India should be widely discussed among the academics, S&T leaders, civil society organizations and policy makers. Academic and policy developments in this sphere at the international and national level have also intensified. Innovation surveys, acts and policies, mechanisms for governance and manifestos are being formulated, conducted and implemented. Conventional approaches of translating research results in to innovation are clearly inadequate. Actors involved with innovative activities are dispersed entities and demand efforts for the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for governance.

The organizers wish to contribute through this conference to the development of proper understanding and address the challenge of sustainability and development in innovation. Based on the inputs that we will receive in this conference we propose to put out ultimately a report on the state of thinking on innovation in India as a key deliverable. See the enclosed tentative programme.

Contact for Further Details:

Dinesh Abrol, Sr. Scientist, NISTADS, New Delhi

Email dinesh.abrol@gmail.com, rajeswari.raina@gmail.com. Mobile +91-9868242691.

Tentative Programme

Call for Participation in Public Opinion Poll designed to institute a rationalized National Test Scheme (NTS) for admission into Tertiary Education in Sciences and Engineering

Call for Participation in Public Opinion Poll designed to institute a rationalized National Test Scheme (NTS) for admission into Tertiary Education in Sciences and Engineering

 

National Test Scheme (NTS)

The proposed National Test Scheme is designed to allow selection of students for admission to tertiary education. It is based on the single examination evaluation instead of the prevailing multiple competitive examination system in the country.

Most nations employ just one test for assessment of scholastic aptitude instead of a plethora of evaluation tests. The current selection systems have, no doubt, resulted in visible benefits. But, the future of Indian youth might need a paradigm shift that ensures opportunity for larger sections of the society.

The extreme level of competitiveness in the screening processes employed for deciding access to professional education is not without its psychological or sociological implications for the society. They do influence the mindset and behavioural changes among the youth.

"Unity in diversity" is the Indian brand value. Unification, while retaining the diversity of educational systems in the country is the underlying strategy of the proposed National Test Scheme. It is motivated by the principle of inclusion for a collaborative excellence rather than exclusion through competitive excellence.

For more about the underlying Philosophy and Principles of the National Test Scheme (Download PDF http://india.gov.in/nts/philosophy_behind_NTS.pdf)

Kindly post your valuable response on the Public Opinion Poll designed to institute a rationalized National Test Scheme (NTS) for admission into Tertiary Education in Sciences and Engineering.

Post your Opinion here till 21st June 2011 [Public Opinion Poll] http://india.gov.in/nts/profile.php

CfA: “Summer School on Global Warming and Sustainable Water Management”; November 16-22, Braunschweig, Germany

CfA: "Summer School on Global Warming and Sustainable Water Management"

November 16 – 22, 2011 / Braunschweig, Germany

The summer school purposes to increase the understanding of the interactions between climate change and water management. The aim is to clarify causes and effects of climate change and to underline the benefits of a sustainable management of water resources on global warming and on water-, energy- and nutrient cycles. With respect to the different home countries of the participants and their specific questions and problems, strategies will also be discussed how the water sector can contribute to cope with climate change on a local scale. Therefore the participants should be prepared to discuss local problems in their home country due to global warming.

Topics of the summer school:

• Global Warming – Identifying the problem
• Activities in the water sector contributing to greenhouse gas emissions
• Carbon emissions from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP)
• Energy production on WWTP
• Improving energy efficiency of water and wastewater treatment
• Wastewater reuse in industry and agriculture
• Energy sources at WWTP
• Alternative technologies for water management
• How to change social patterns and government policies
• Improving social awareness

The course consists of lectures, discussion sessions, participation to the two day international symposium „Re-Water Braunschweig" on water reuse and inspecting the techniques applied for a comprehensive water and nutrient recycling concept in the city of Braunschweig.

• For more detailed information please download the flyer (PDF)
• Please download the Exceed Application Form and apply online until August 15, 2011
• Information on cost coverage
• http://www.exceed.tu-braunschweig.de/1568_cfa-%e2%80%9csummer-school-on-global-warming

Locating Internets: Histories of the Internet(s) in India — Research Training and Curriculum Workshop: Call for Participation

Locating Internets: Histories of the Internet(s) in India — Research Training and Curriculum Workshop: Call for Participation

Deadline for submission: 15th July 2011-06-08;

When: 19th - 22nd August, 2011;

Where: Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, Ahmedabad;

Organised by: Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore and CEPT University, Ahmedabad.

Please Note: Travel support is only available for domestic travel within India.

 

LOCATING INTERNETS is an innovative, multi-disciplinary, workshop that engages with some of the most crucial debates around Internet and Society within academic scholarship, discourse and practice in India. It explores Where, When, How and What has changed with the emergence of Internet and Digital Technologies in the country. The Internet is not a singular monolithic entity but is articulated in various forms – sometimes materially, through accessing the web; at others, through our experiences; and yet others through imaginations of policy and law. Internets have become a part of our everyday practice, from museums and archives, to school and university programmes, living rooms and public spaces, relationships and our bodily lived realities. It becomes necessary to reconfigure our existing concepts, frameworks and ideas to make sense of the rapidly digitising world around us. The Internet is no longer contained in niche disciplines or specialised everyday practices.

 

LOCATING INTERNETS invites scholars, teachers, researchers, advanced research students and educationalists from any discipline to learn and discuss how to ask new questions and design innovative curricula in their discipline by introducing concepts and ideas from path-breaking research in India.

Comprised of training, public lectures, open discussion spaces, and hands-on curriculum building exercises, this workshop will introduce the participants to contemporary debates, help them articulate concerns and problems from their own research and practice, and build knowledge clusters to develop innovative and open curricula which can be implemented in interdisciplinary undergraduate spaces in the country. It showcases the research outputs produced by the Centre for Internet and Society's Researchers @ Work Programme, and brings together nine researchers to talk about alternative histories, processes, and bodies of the Internets, and how they can be integrated into mainstream pedagogic practices and teaching environments.

Knowledge Clusters for the Workshop
LOCATING INTERNETS is designed innovatively to accommodate for various intellectual and practice based needs of the participants. While the aim is to introduce the participants to a wide interdisciplinary range of scholarship, we also hope to address particular disciplinary and scholarly concerns of the participants. The workshop is further divided into three knowledge clusters which help the participants to focus their energies and ideas in the course of the four days.

Bridging the Gap: This workshop seeks to break away from the utopian public discourse of the Internets as a-historical and completely dis-attached from existing technology ecologies in the country. This knowledge cluster intends to produce frameworks that help us contextualize the contemporary internet policy, discourse and practice within larger geo-political and socio-historical flows and continuities in Modern India. The first cluster chartsdifferent pre-histories of the Internets, mapping the continuities and ruptures through philosophy of techno-science, archiving practices, and electronifcation of governments,to develop new technology-society perspectives.
Paradigms of Practice:One of the biggest concerns about Internet studies in India and other similar developed contexts is the object oriented approach that looks largely at specific usages, access, infrastructure, etc. However, it is necessary to understand that the Internet is not merely a tool or a gadget. The growth of Internets produces systemic changes at the level of process and thought. The technologies often get appropriated for governance both by the state and the civil society, producing new processes and dissonances which need to be charted. The second cluster looks at certain contemporary processes that the digital and Internet technologies change drastically in order to recalibrate the relationship between the state, the market and the citizen.
Feet on the Ground: The third cluster looks at contemporary practices of the Internet to understand the recent histories of movements, activism and cultural practices online. It offers an innovative way of understanding the physical objects and bodies that undergo dramatic transitions as digital technologies become pervasive, persuasive and ubiquitous. It draws upon historical discourse, everyday practices and cultural performances to form new ways of formulating and articulating the shapes and forms of social and cultural structures.

Workshop Outcomes
The participants are expected to engage with issue of Internet and it various systemic processes through their own disciplinary interests. Apart from lectures and orientation sessions, the participants will actively work on their own project ideas during the period in groups and will be guided by experts. The final outcome of the workshops would be curriculum for undergraduate and graduate teaching space of various disciplines in the country.

Participation Guidelines
LOCATING INTERNETS is now accepting submissions from interested participants in the following format:
1.Name:
2.Institutional affiliation and title:
3.Address:
4.Email address:
5.Phone number:
6.A brief resume of work experience (max. 350 words)
7.Statement of interest (max. 350 words)
8.Key concerns you want to address in the Internet and Society field (max. 350 words)
9.Identification with one Knowledge-cluster of the workshop and a proposal for integrating it in your research/teaching practice (max. 500 words)
10.Current interface with technologies in your pedagogic practices (max. 350 words)
11.Additional information or relevant hyperlinks you might want to add (Max. 10 lines)

Notes:Submissions will be accepted only from participants in India, as attachments in .doc, .docx or .odt formats at locatingInternets@cis-india.org

Submissions made beyond 15th July 2011 may not be considered for participation.

Submissions will be scrutinized by the organisers and selected participants will be informed by the 20th July 2011, about their participation.

Selected participants will be required to make their own travel arrangements to the workshop. A 2nd A.C. train return fare will be reimbursed to the participants.  Shared accommodation and selected meals will be provided at the workshop.

A limited number of air-fare reimbursements will be available to participants in extraordinary circumstances. All travel support is only available for domestic travel in the country.

Chairs: Nishant Shah, Director-Research, Centre for Internet and Society Bangalore;

Pratyush Shankar, Associate Professor & Head of Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Architecture, CEPT University

Supported by: Kusuma Foundation, Hyderabad

Experts:Anja Kovacs, Arun Menon, Asha Achuthan, Ashish Rajadhykasha, Aparna Balachandran, Namita Malhotra, Nithin Manayath, Nithya Vasudevan, Pratyush Shankar, Rochelle Pinto and Zainab Bawa

Further Details: http://cis-india.org/research/conferences/conference-blogs/workshop

IIPA Annual Decision Making/Teaching Case Study Competition 2011

IIPA Annual Decision Making/Teaching Case Study Competition 2011

The objective of IIPAs Case Study Programme is to build a body of knowledge in governance through case studies with a view to promote a deeper and wider understanding of the functioning of Indian Administration in its specific environmental and institutional framework and also to broaden our knowledge and understanding of international best practices. In order to develop relevant case studies for use in the learning process, IIPA has renamed its annual case study competition as the Annual Decision Making/Teaching Case Study Competition.

A case study submitted for this competition should aim to facilitate the development of conceptual, behavioural and analytical skills, highlight areas for reform and promote sensitivity towards important issues, problems and challenges of public administration and governance.

The Case study may cover one or more of the following facets of public administration and governance:
i. Public policy issues and processes: conceptualization; planning; implementation; monitoring; evaluation and review of plans; programmes; schemes and projects with special reference to a specific State;
ii. Area based development policies, programmes, projects and schemes such as MNREGA, Consumer Awareness, Gender Sensitization, Social Empowerment and Social Inclusion, e-Governance, Human Rights, Elections and Electoral reforms; and
iii. Service sectors including physical, social and economic infrastructure development, social services, voluntary organizations, cooperatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The case study must be in two parts.
Part I is to comprise 5-10 A4 size pages typed in double space using size 12 of Times New Roman font and keeping one and half inches margin on each side of the page.It should consist of a description of an official organizational context concluding with an important decision to be made. The following information could be provided: the decision to be made what, why and who has to make it; a brief history of the organization, its vision/mission/values, goals/objectives; the present scenario; key strengths and weaknesses of the organization; challenges, threats and opportunities; influential personalities/groups relevant to the focal decision their feelings/views (given in quotations) as obtained through interviews or accurately paraphrased; socio-political, economic, technological and cultural pressures; group and personality factors values, attitudes,needs and expectations; skills; organizational reward systems; behaviour modeling and example setting by the organisations leadership and other factors relevant to the focal decision; visualized options/alternatives that seem to be available and their immediate, short, medium and long term consequences- the pros and cons thereof.Finally, instead of merely calling this part of the case study as Part I, it should be given a title based upon either one of the following:-
(i) focal organization / department / division / unit/section, programme / project / scheme;
(ii) focal decision to be made.
Part II is to comprise 1 to 3 A4 size page(s) typed in double space using size 12 of Times New Roman font and keeping one and a half inches margin on each side of the page.It should consist of the case writer(s) perceptions of what actually happened the decision that was actually made, why, with what expectations, the actual consequences that occurred and any views that the case writer wished to share vis-a-vis the case and the important learning problems/concepts/insights and or skills that the case may be utilized for imparting in the teaching/training process.Finally, instead of calling this part of the case study as part II, it should be entitled: Perceptions of the Case Writer (s).
An executive summary of the case study is to comprise 1 to 2 A 4 size page(s) and typed in the same way as Parts I and II mentioned earlier.Three copies each of the case study (i.e., Parts I and II) and the executive summary are to be submitted.
Each case study should be accompanied by the following information: title of the case study; name of the case writer (s); address and telephone(s) of the Case Writer(s) and fax/email where available.The case writer(s) should also state whether the case study has been approved for publication by the concerned organization or whether approval is yet to be taken; and, finally, the signature(s) of the case writer(s).

The competition has a first prize award of Rs.10,000, a second prize award of Rs. 6,000 and a third prize award of Rs. 4,000/.Excluding the award winning case studies, any other case studies that are considered suitable for publication shall be given an honorarium of Rs. 2,000/ each.
Any individual or group of individuals may submit a case study to the Institute for the competition.In case of joint authorship, the award will be equally distributed. However, each individual may submit only one entry for the competition, either individually or as part of a group.
A case study submitted for the competition must fall within the broad areas specified and be in the format prescribed above.The case study should not have been published elsewhere as the copyright will vest with the Institute and the writer, if the case study is selected for award/publication.
The last date for the receipt of the case study is 31 August 2011. The cover should be superscribed with Annual Decision Making/Teaching Case Study Competition 2011 and be addressed to the Registrar, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Indraprastha Estate, Ring Road, New Delhi 110002.

Last Date: 31st August 2011

Further Details: http://www.iipa.org.in/case.html

IIPA Annual Essay Prize Competition-2011

Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi

 

IIPA Annual Essay Prize Competition-2011

Entries are invited for the Annual Essay Prize Competition-2011. The value of the prize for the competition will be as under:
First Prize Rs.5,000/-
Second Prize Rs.3,000/-
Third Prize Rs.2,000/-

Any competitor who has got a prize on one occasion will not, on any subsequent occasion, be eligible for an equivalent or lower prize. The joint authorship of essays shall not be allowed and any essay under joint authorship shall not be considered for competition.

The following subjects have been prescribed and it is open to competitors to choose any of them.
1. Role of Audit in Democratic India
2. Judicial Accountability and Democracy
3. Food Security, Food Inflation and the Public Distribution System
4. What the Next Five Year Plan should Focus upon – Five Priority Items
5. Information Technology for the Masses: Bridging the Digital Divide

The essay should be in English or Hindi. The length of an essay should approximately be 5000 words and the competitors must indicate the totalo number of words of the essay contributed by them. Essay exceeding 5500 words will not be accepted. The contestants must indicate the total number of words of the failing which it will not be accepted. All essays must be typed in double space on one side of the paper only and those entries which do not adhere to the stipulation can be rejected. It should be submitted in triplicate under a "nom-de-plume or alias. The full name and address of the competitor should be given on a separate sheet and enclosed in a sealed envelope bearing the nom-de-plume on the outer cover with the following inscription.

All essays should be sent to the Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Indraprastha Estate, Ring Road, New Delhi-110002, by Registered Post, so as to reach him not later than the 31st August, 2011. The envelope should be marked "Annual Essay Prize Competition 2011". The entries received after the due date may not be entertained.

The essays will be adjudged by a body of judges selected by the Executive Council of the institute and the award of the judges shall be final. The institute reserves the right not to make any award if none of the essays submitted meets the necessary standard. Any essay which receives an award shall become the joint intellectual property of the author and IIPA.

Last Date: 31st August 2011

Further Details: http://www.iipa.org.in/upload/Notification.pdf

DNA News Article: "Innovation doesn't grow on trees"

Innovation doesn't grow on trees
Published at DNA: Sunday, May 29, 2011, 2:38 IST
By R Krishna | Place: Mumbai | Agency: Reuters 
 
Environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh is absolutely right when he says that the research output from our IITs and IIMs is dismal; what he doesn't point a finger at are the roots of this intellectual poverty.
Students at IITs and IIMs are world-class, the faculty is not — this proclamation by Jairam Ramesh stirred the scientific community in the country, even as the environment minister went on to point a finger at the poor quality of research being conducted at these premier institutions. Ramesh's diagnosis is that the research is suffering because the faculty is of a low calibre.
"But whose job is it to recruit and retain good quality teachers?" asks Satyajit Rath, scientist at the National Institute of Immunology. "For instance, the government decided to increase the number of students in the IITs by 27%. But what was their solution to improve the student-faculty ratio? They increased the retirement age of professors from 60 to 65 years. How did that help in improving the student-faculty ratio in any way? Isn't all this part of government policy?"
Poor quality of faculty is not the only reason India has lagged behind in its research output. It has failed to build large R&D institutions with up-to-date equipment and a system that rewards creativity — ironically, these are the very things that attract bright teachers. Further, India has failed to take enough initiatives to simulate industry-academy linkages, and instill an entrepreneurial spirit in universities.

China's ambitious plans
India doesn't have to look too far to study how things are done right. One analysis of research done in the field of computer science by Suresh Kumar and KC Garg of National Institute of Science Technology and Development Studies, suggests that India's research activity was significantly higher from 1971 to 1985. From 1986 to 2000, India's research activity declined while China's rose.
A recent study by the Royal Society, London, titled 'Knowledge Networks and Nations', ranked China No. 2 in the world in terms of the number of research papers filed. India is placed at No. 10. Even when it comes to the quality of research, judged by the number of times research papers have been cited by other researchers, China is ranked No. 7. India does not figure in the top 10.
China's rapid rise is a result of ambitious, clear-cut policies and targets set by the government, say experts. "The Chinese government has given a strong message and a clear policy has been defined at the highest level. Road maps for implementation are clearly articulated. In India, on the other hand, we simply state that building science parks is important. How these science parks can be made functional is not clearly stated," says Sujit Bhattacharya, who is part of a group studying China's and South Korea's approach to upgrading their research.
According to Bhattacharya, the State Science Technology Commission of China has several programmes to promote research in the country. "The Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), which is one of the largest research labs in the world, underwent a major restructuring where some researchers were asked to leave. At the same time, the Ministry of Education with the CAS started attracting the best talent from the world by giving huge financial and non-financial incentives to head new world-class research centres. Provinces get into the fray by funding the programmes set at the central level. And as a result, today, universities, industries, and foreign affiliates are part of a chain of science and technology parks. In fact, some universities are inside these industrial high technology zones. These parks compete with each other and you will find special economic zones nearby, thus creating major technological hubs," says Bhattacharya.

India's tardy approach
Far from such tightly integrated ambitious policies, India continues to grapple with basic issues. Funding and infrastructure are not the only areas of concern. The current systemfails to take into account the quality and relevance of research. According to Ram Puniyani, former professor of bio-medical engineering at IIT Bombay, policies should be tailored to reward people who are producing quality research relevant to India. As things stand today, number of papers published is the main criterion to get promotions or even grants for research. "There should be a way to gauge and reward creativity," says Puniyani. But little can be expected from babus in government departments to direct funds to scientific fields and people who show promise.
Moreover, before pointing a finger at the quality of research being conducted at the IITs, the government should consider the way they are operating currently. "In the IITs the facilities are reasonable, but the average teaching load is more than that in a university in the west. This leaves little time to do research. On the other hand, in the universities, the teaching load is less, but the research facilities are poor," says Ashoke Sen, professor, Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad. He adds, "In contrast, the research institutes, which have good research facilities and almost no teaching responsibilities, have suffered from the absence of young minds. In my view, this separation of teaching from research has been one of the main reasons for the current shortfall in research output in Indian science."
The government also has to do its bit in promoting linkages between universities and industry. According to Chris Llewellyn Smith, chair of the Royal Society report, the UK government is taking several steps to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit among researchers. "For instance, consider an academic who has an idea which looks promising but not at a stage where a company or serious investor will put in money. This idea will need an amount of money which is larger than the academic budget usually available to researchers. The UK government has now put money in the hands of universities who can internally fund such ideas."
In India too, the government is finally rethinking its strategy, says Bhattacharya. For example, the government may adopt 'utility-model patents' which is expected to give a fillip to patent filing and innovation, because they are not as difficult, expensive, or time-consuming as it would be to produce 'invention patents'.
But while India trudges along, globally the situation is changing rapidly. As Bhattacharya says, "Look at Google and Facebook. Products coming out of universities are changing the world."

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/opinion/report_innovation-doesnt-grow-on-trees_1548655

UNDP/MNRE invites Case Studies on Access to Clean Energy

Request for Submission of Case Studies on Access to Clean Energy

 

Under the UNDP/MNRE Supported Project on Access to Clean Energy (ACE project),  it is proposed to compile the second Compendium of Successful Case studies from all over the country in order to showcase concrete initiatives undertaken by the public and private sectors to promote widespread adoption of cost effective renewable energy technologies especially in rural areas. The models considered for inclusion in compendium should be cost effective, replicable, and financially viable and entrepreneurship based business and delivery models that has led to economic development and strengthening of livelihoods. You are requested to share details of any such model successfully piloted/ demonstrated by your organisation in the indicative format given here <http://www.undp.org.in/sites/default/files/Note-Format-for-mnre.doc> with relevant photographs, so that the same could be reviewed for inclusion in the compendium proposed to be developed and widely circulated. The details may please be sent by email to aceundp@gmail.com, preferably by 30 June 2011.

 

Further Details: http://www.undp.org.in/sites/default/files/Note-Format-for-mnre.doc

JRD Tata Memorial Lecture 2011 by Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla on 11 August 2011

JRD Tata Memorial Lecture 2011
Speaker: Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla
11 August 2011
Organized by ASSOCHAM, New Delhi

JRD Tata exemplifies a 'Renaissance Man' in today's context, whose ideology drastically transformed the Indian industrial landscape. The contribution of JRD spans across many sectors of the Indian economy particularly Science & Technology, Aviation, Automobile Manufacturing, Chemical industry and Corporate Governance to mention a few. To commemorate and honour JRD's unparalleled contribution to the Indian industry, ASSOCHAM instituted an annual lecture series titled 'JRD Tata Memorial Lecture' in 1998. The lecture has been focusing on topical issues in the Indian socio-economic milieu and is delivered by renowned personalities in their respective fields.

The last year's Lecture, Thirteenth in the series, was delivered by Dean Nitin Nohria, Harvard Business School, USA. The earlier distinguished eminent speakers have been Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India; Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then Hon'ble President of India; Shri P. Chidambaram; Dr. D. Subbarao, Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Shri Somnath Chatterjee; Shri M. Damodaran; Late Shri. P.V.Narasimha Rao; Shri Azim H. Premji; Shri N.R. Narayanamurthy; Dr. K Kasturirangan; Prof. M.S. Swaminathan and Dr. C. Rangarajan.

ASSOCHAM is happy to mention that Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group has kindly agreed to deliver this year's Lecture on 11th August 2011 at New Delhi. To make this event a grand success, a Steering Committee has also been formed under the guidance of Mr. Dilip Modi, President, ASSOCHAM as Chairman and Dr. J.J. Irani, Director, Tata Sons Limited as Co-Chairman of the Steering Committee.

On this occasion, ASSOCHAM would be bringing out a prestigious Special Publication containing articles by eminent citizens, acknowledged leaders and experts in their own fields. Broadly, the authors will cover the entire gamut of opportunities and critical challenges that confront the Indian economy and recommend policy prescriptions to achieve the stated goals. The Special Publication being brought on the above occasion will be widely circulated and released by the Chief Guest.

More details

Online Registration

CfP:: esss – European Summer School for Scientometrics 2011

esss – European Summer School for Scientometrics

12-16 September 2011

Vienna, Austria

History: Scientometric procedures are increasingly used to analyse developments and trends in science and technology. Decisions to be taken often have severe implications. Consequently data handling, indicator construction and interpretation require competent expert knowledge, which is currently only available to a limited extent for all stakeholders in Central Europe not the least due to lacking training opportunities. Responding to the lack of a pertinent scientometrics education (especially in German speaking countries) and to the increasing demand (particularly of research quality managers), the University of Vienna (A), the Humboldt University of Berlin (D), the Institute for Research Information and Quality Assurance – iFQ - (D) and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (B) joined cooperatively to found the European Summer School for Scientometrics (esss) in 2010.

Mission: esss offers training covering major aspects of quantitative analysis of science and technology and is especially designed for the needs of science policy makers, research quality managers, scientists and information specialists & librarians. Attendees can expect a sound overview of state-of-the-art scientometric methods and the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the most commonly used data bases, to learn how to construct relevant indicators and how to interpret the data. Theoretically imparted knowledge will be consolidated in hands-on trainings whenever suitable in order to guarantee a sustainable learning experience. Participants will challenge themselves academically, gain crucial experience, advance their careers and experience knowledge sharing and exchange of ideas with esss staff, lecturers and other participants.

Programme Overview

September 11th, 2011 -- Pre-Programme: "Bibliometrics in a Nutshell": Crash Course for Newbies. This course gives a basic overview of how to work with bibliometric databases and is addressed to participants who are short on experience in the field.

Conference

September 12th, 2011

Conference day 1: Introduction to Scientometrics: Theoretical and Practical Aspects

September 13th, 2011

Conference day 2: Procedures and Indicators

Seminars

September 14th Seminars day 1

- Journal Impact Measures

- h-index and Related Measures

September 15th Seminars day 2

- Cooperation, Co-authorship, Social Networks

- Mapping Science

September 16th Seminars day 3

Workshop: Research Evaluation in Practice

Registration

esss – European Summer School for Scientometrics 2011 starts with two conference days, which can be booked apart from the whole week event. The esss includes the conference and three days of seminars and hands-on trainings. Two conference-like introductory days addressing a broader audience are followed by three days with seminars, individual hands-on sessions and teamwork in small groups. Availability of seats for the whole esss week is limited to 50 participants (2 groups, each with 25 people). Availability of seats for this conference is limited to 100 participants. ESSS offers a reduced fee for students / Ph.D. students. Students need to mail us a valid student ID or a similar document for registration! Participants of the esss can register free of charge for the Pre-Programme: "Bibliometrics in a Nutshell, Crash Course for Newbies", on Sunday, September 11th, 2011 (2pm-4pm).

Further Details

It's the right medicine: Recognising regulatory data protection will benefit India's pharma industry

It's the right medicine: Recognising regulatory data protection will benefit India's pharma industry

Ranjit Shahani Times of India April 6, 2011

As the end of a long road in reaching a free trade agreement (FTA) between the 27-nation European Union and India seems in sight, it's time to reflect on certain important issues. Much has been written about the pitfalls of opening up India's growing industries to global competition. From an analysis of other countries, it's clear the cornerstone of a developed economy - and a key to sustained competitiveness - is long-term commitment to research and development. Since 2000, nine of the top 10 global R&D spenders hail from the so-called "rich nations' club", the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

But an R&D-based economy needs a favourable environment. The government needs to implement a range of policies that encourage public and private sector R&D investment of direct benefit to the people of India. R&D is inherently expensive and risky - with prolonged timelines and uncertain outcomes. The government needs to provide specific protections that create an environment where trained scientific personnel enjoy space and freedom to design new products benefiting society. Else, no Indian company, big or small, will garner the wherewithal to deploy the massive investments required.

According to the Centre for the Study of Drug Development, Tufts University, the pharmaceuticals industry invests $1,318 million and 10-15 years on average to introduce a drug in the market. Of this, 60% is spent on data collection, reveals the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations. With such deep investments and protracted research periods, the innovative pharma industry has every right to expect a return on investment. The lack of returns in the absence of robust IPR protection will discourage further R&D and foreign investments. In fact, prior to adoption of patent protection in 2005, homegrown pharma companies had only negligible amounts in R&D. Now they have begun to invest significant amounts, but still have miles to go before they can introduce their first new medicine.

Some protectionists voice concerns that intellectual property impedes availability of cheap medicines in India and elsewhere. Yet evidence indicates that, contrary to concerns at the time, the introduction of the India Patent (Amendment) Act 2005 has had no negative impact on India's pharma industry. Indeed, the latter is going from strength to strength. Moreover, prices of medicines in India are among the world's lowest. Truth be told, the real barrier to access is lack of a proper health care financing system.

A contentious issue in the India-EU negotiations is regulatory data protection (RDP). Some claim RDP will hurt the Indian generics industry. This charge is unsubstantiated, as the industry is healthier than ever before. As per IMS Health, for the 12 months ending September 2009, global prescription sales growth of generic drugs rose by 7.7% (up from 3.6% in 2008) against 5.7% for global pharma drugs. Furthermore, generics accounted for 72% of the total US pharma market volume in 2009 - an all-time high in the world's biggest pharma market.

RDP provides an important complementary IP right to patents, which are already accepted in India. But patents are not always available to protect new medicines where much has been invested to generate the regulatory data necessary for authorisation and marketing. RDP is essential to protect this investment for a limited period only, regardless of patentability. Absence of RDP is the most glaring gap in India's R&D environment.

RDP is imperative to attract FDI in the pharma sector. Introducing it will end the unfairness of a situation where investment in knowledge of the originator can be appropriated by another company without protection or compensation. DE or RDP should not to be confused with patents. Both offer distinct and separate intellectual property protection. RDP accepts exclusivity and patentability of data submitted to regulatory authorities as part of product registration meant exclusively for this purpose, thereby protecting and incentivising substantial financial investment in drug discovery and development. RDP is especially significant when strong patent protection for a specific product is not available, where the patent period has been eroded by a long development phase, or where patent enforcement systems are inadequate.

With life-threatening ailments, it may be argued that to facilitate timely market access and prevent expensive, repetitive animal and human clinical trials, competitors should be permitted access to the original proprietary data filed with regulatory authorities. Although this seems fair, it should be permitted only after the expiry of a reasonable protection period. Without this period of protection, data would never be generated and new medicines would never reach the public.

As the conclusion of an FTA approaches, it's imperative IPR provisions fostering innovation in the EU and India are adopted to benefit both. These will encourage emergence of a robust R&D-based industry alongside generics, each strengthening the other. Without new medicines produced by the innovative pharma industry, the generics industry would soon have an empty pipeline of products to manufacture and sell.

The rising role of India's generics industry in meeting the needs of various regions should be acknowledged. While its biggest export markets continue to be the US and EU, its role as a provider of cheap life-saving drugs to developing countries should continue not just for now but well into the future. This view is supported by none other than EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht.

India is well poised to make the transition from a generics pharma powerhouse to an innovation giant. But to transform this dream into reality, it needs to put in place proper patent protection policies that enforce IPR laws in letter and spirit.

(The writer is president, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, Mumbai.) Source: ToI

SARDAR SAROVAR: Cooking the dam books

SARDAR SAROVAR: Cooking the dam books

by Himanshu Upadhyaya, CSSP, JNU

IndiaTogether.org 04 April 2011

In theory various rules govern the use of AIBP funds to execute projects. In practice, as the CAG reminds us, money is liberally diverted, and the States and the Centre both look away. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.

04 April 2011 - S Jagdeesan, Managing Director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL), told The Indian Express recently (link) that till December 31, 2010 Rs.32,645 crores have been spent on the Sardar Sarovar project, of which Rs.20,877.34 crores have been spent for the assets. So how much has been spent towards non-assets expenditure, such as interest on market borrowings and debt repayment?

A simple calculation says, Rs.11,767.66 crores. A figure that makes us stare attentively at the headline of the news item: "SSNNL chalks out Rs.10,500-crore plan to expedite project". So, while as high as 36 per cent of the total expenditure has been on interest and debt repayment, SSNNL is still scouting for more funds, now under the holy aim of 'expediting canal construction'.

Jagdeesan also claims that under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), the Centre has approved Rs.4500 crores as a grant for the canal work. While Jagdeesan might not speak on how much money SSNNL has got so far under AIBP funds and how has it spent them in the past, a recent performance audit of AIBP by Comptroller and Auditor General of India presents some disturbing facts.

The CAG's performance audit of AIBP impelemntation for the period 2003-2008 concludes that the programme has failed to achieve its objective despite release of nearly Rs.26,000 crores of central assistance from 1996 till 2008, of which Rs.5123 crores - i.e. 19.70 per cent - were released for just one project - Sardar Sarovar. The CAG notes that there were numerous deficiencies in planning and approval of AIBP projects and project execution was also deficient.

Cooking the books

Audit scrutiny also revealed large scale instances of diversion of AIBP funds for other purposes, grant of undue benefits, and other cases of irregular and unauthorized expenditure. Monitoring and evaluation systems, both at central and state levels, were also deficient.

On SSNNL's diversion of AIBP funds, the audit comment states, "Government of India released Rs.675.20 crores for extending irrigation benefit to Drought Prone Areas (DPA). Audit scrutiny revealed that ten branch canals - namely Narsinghpura, Maliya, Vallabhipur, Viramgam I and II, Kharaghoda, Jijanuwada, Goriya, Rajpura and Amanpura - were proposed to be developed under DPA. SSNNL provided utilisation certificates to GoI, certifying that the funds provided under DPA were spent on the branch canals. However, the branch canals covered under DPA had already been constructed or were under construction, when the DPA component under AIBP was introduced. This implied that SSNNL gave incorrect UCS to GoI, and the funds provided under DPA were used by it on works other than those covered under AIBP DPA."

Further, audit scrutiny revealed that during the period 2003-04 to 2004-05, against the actual expenditure of Rs 1702 crores incurred by SSNNL, the state government reported expenditure of Rs 2987 crore to GoI, thereby overstating expenditure incurred under AIBP by Rs 1158 crore. Being busy with such fraud, the SSP naturally performed abysmally, so much so that the CAG was prompted to note, "against the targeted irrigation potential of 14.40 lakh hectares, only 4.60 lakh hectares of irrigation potential was created, of which only 0.71 lakh hectares was utilised as of March 2008."

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Six states garnered 75 to 85 per cent of grants released under AIBP during the period 2005 to 2008 - Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

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Centre too looks away

All these simply means is that even as programme guidelines offered safeguards against such financial irregularities and despite CAG audits pointing out diversion of AIBP funds twice in past, the Union Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) failed to act on repeated violations of norms.

AIBP guidelines specify that the second installment of Central Loan Assistance/grant was to be released by the GoI only after the submission of Utilisation Certificates in respect of the first installment. CAG notes that Gujarat and two other states - Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka - violated this norm. The guidelines also stipulate (1998-99 onwards) that the states must submit audited Statement of Expenditure on the projects within nine months. In 2006, this standard was raised to say that release of central assistance for the subsequent years would not be considered if the audited statement of expenditure were not furnished within nine months.

The CAG notes that there were 12 states, including Gujarat, do not meet this requirement. Yet, the Central government continued to release its funds, in clear violation of the guidelines.

Gujarat was also one of six states which garnered 75 to 85 per cent of grants released under AIBP during the period 2005 to 2008. In terms of share of AIBP funds received, the state ranked third, after Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The CAG also took note of the fact that all six states cornered a large part of AIBP funds without showing corresponding performance in terms of project completion.

Taking note of this phenomenon, CAG recommends: "Since AIBP is addition central assistance programme, GoI may ensure equitable distribution of AIBP funds to states based on predefined criteria i.e. population dependent agriculture, Ultimate Irrigation Potential yet to be fulfilled and also past performance in completion/ commissioning of projects and utilization of targeted Irrigation Potential under AIBP. CAG also makes a strongly worded recommendation to tackle the issue of diversion of funds stating, "GoI may recover the amounts diverted by the State Governments, if necessary, by making deductions from the next installment of plan assistance to the defaulting state governments."

However, not only has MoWR failed to act on this recommendation, by promising grants worth Rs 4500 crores to SSP in coming years, it has clearly showed total disregard for CAG and overwhelming love for status quo. While the draft of this performance audit was issued to the Secretary, MoWR in August 2009, no response was received from the ministry despite written reminders, nor could an exit conference to discuss these audit findings be scheduled. The Action Taken Note on the previous performance audit was submitted after a long delay in 2008-09. In that Action Taken Note, MoWR claimed that it had stepped up evaluation of AIBP, and that improved monitoring mechanisms were now in place. It also explained away cost escalation as due to reasons beyond the control of the project executing agency and the Central Government.

MoWR also referred back to the AIBP guidelines themselves, arguing that if a State Government failed to utilise central assistance along with the state share, no further Central Assistance would be released to the State Government. But, as noted above, this is clearly not enforced. Audit comments on the Narmada canal component in Rajasthan also proves that when MoWR fails to enforce these built-in safeguards in AIBP guidelines, it clearly ends up encouraging continued diversion of funds. In that state, the 'date of completion' for AIBP work was extended. Also, although the rules specified that in case of delay, funds would be converted from grants to loans, this rule was simply overlooked.

We haven't heard yet when MoWR plans to file its Action Taken Note on last year's performance audit report. Will the Ministry repeat the same old story, or will it finally take cognizance of the repeated violations and diversion of funds, and initiate action to recover these monies?

Himanshu Upadhyaya is a researcher working on Public Finance and Accountability issues. He is pursuing his doctoral studies at the Centre for Studies in Science Policy, JNU.

Source: http://www.indiatogether.org/2011/apr/eco-ssp.htm

CSSP Discussion Forum launched

CSSP Discussion Forum is launched on Wednesday, 31st March 2011.

CSSP Discussion Forum is coordinated by the Centre for Studies in Science Policy (CSSP), Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. This forum is created to share information, knowledge networking and debating on the issues related to STS (Science, Technology & Society), Innovation Studies and Science Policy. This Forum is presently moderated by Dr. Anup Kumar Das and Swapan Kumar Patra of CSSP.

A registered member can share any relevant information to other members of this community and can make this a vibrant interactive platform.

To join this group click here http://groups.google.com/group/cssp-forum/ To post to this group, send email to cssp-forum@googlegroups.com

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Conference on Global Networking and its Implications for Euro-Asia Business Management and Research

The 17th International Euro-Asia Research Conference on "Global Networking and its Implications for Euro-Asia Business Management and Research"

Venue: Noida campus of Indian of Management, Lucknow, India

Dates: 28-29 October 2011

Call for Papers
Following a number of conferences held in France, Ireland, Norway, Japan, China, Spain and Indonesia since 1994, the Seventeenth International Euro-Asia Research Conference will take place in New Delhi (India) on October the 28 and 29, 2011. Research contributions addressing any aspect of Global Networking and its Implications for Euro-Asia Business Management and Research are welcome. Besides this theme, other papers in the fields of economics and management with a particular reference to Asia may also be submitted.
The research conference is a joint undertaking between the Indian Institute of Management, India, Yokohama National University, Japan, IAE of The University of Poitiers France, The University of Pau (Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour), France, TELECOM Ecole de Management, France, The School of East Asian Studies, University of Sheffield, The U.K., and The University of Limerick, Ireland.
The Conference is intended to bring together researchers engaged in Management, Economics and related fields from Europe, Asia and other parts of the World. Doctoral students are also strongly encouraged to submit papers for consideration.

Conference Venue, Conference Fee
The conference will be at the Noida campus of Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, which is adjacent to New Delhi, India. The conference fee is 160 € (or 12,000 Indian Rupees) and includes welcome dinner, two lunches, two dinners, coffee breaks, a copy of the conference proceedings, and also includes local sight visits.

Submission Rules
Papers, in English should be original and not submitted for publication elsewhere. They may either be related to a particular country or be of a comparative nature. Papers accepted for presentation at the conference will be published as Conference Proceedings. Furthermore, a number of selected papers will be published in a scholarly journal or as a book.
A two-page abstract in English or French (including bibliography) should be submitted by March the 31st, 2011 to Ms Céline PHELIPPON, IAE – University of Poitiers, France at the following e-mail address: CPhelippon@iae.univ-poitiers.fr. Please address a copy of your submission to Professor Jacques JAUSSAUD at the following at jacques.jaussaud@univ-pau.fr.
A title page with a complete list of authors, their academic position, addresses, phone and fax numbers as well as E-mail should be included separately. The decision of the Scientific Committee will be communicated to the authors by April the 30th, 2011.
The final paper, including an abstract of around 300 words, should be forwarded by June the 15th, 2011. Length should not exceed 6,000 words or 15 single-spaced pages (including tables, figures, and references). Papers should be submitted in hard copy (or by e-mail as an attachment) as well as on disc (Word 6 or a later version).

Secretariat of the Euro-Asia Research Conference
Céline PHELIPPON
IAE de Poitiers, 20 rue Guillaume VII Le Troubadour, BP 639,
86022 Poitiers Cedex, France
Phone: + (33) 5 49 45 44 89 Fax: + (33) 5 49 45 44 90
E-mail: CPhelippon@iae.univ-poitiers.fr

Further Information

CfP:: ICTPI International Conference on Technology Policy and Innovation (ICTPI)

13th International Conference on Technology Policy and Innovation (ICTPI)

Bogotá, Colombia

8-9 September 2011

About ICTPI-2011 in Bogotá

ICTPI-2011 is being organized by the Alianza Universidad-Empresa-Estado (AUEE) de Bogotá-Región, a joint venture that has been established by the universities based in this city, the business sector and government, with the purpose of promoting the application of science and technology to foster regional economic development by creating value through innovation. This is being done through strengthening university-industry collaboration. In Colombia there are similar initiatives that have emerged in various regions, reflecting the current national policy of regionalizing science and technology development programs.
The Colombian Government is significantly increasing the investment in science, technology and innovation by assigning part of the royalties received from a variety of sources to supporting programs in this area. This increased funding is closely related to the fact that a special emphasis is being placed on the use of science and technology as an instrument of economic regional development. For this reason, there is special interest in becoming better acquainted with such issues as:
a) A better understanding of recent experiences with National Innovation Policies in order to identify key elements or characteristics that have contributed to the success of these policies, or that have been major limitations to their effectiveness.
b) What are the main policy instruments through which Innovation Policies and Strategies are implemented?
c) How can the main stakeholders be involved in this process? How can private sector investment in technological development and innovation be promoted?
d) Two important dimensions of Technology and Innovation Policy are currently being discussed:

• The territorial dimension, which leads to issues related to promoting/supporting Regional Innovation Systems and the emergence of Regional Clusters.
• The sectorial dimension, which relates to "Sectorial Innovation Policies" in key sectors of the economy (i.e. agriculture, telecommunications, mining, etc.).
  

e) A better understanding of major technological trends that are shaping the Globalized Networked Economy, and thus the context in which we operate.

Conference themes
The main themes of the Conference around which researchers are being invited to present papers are as follows:
1. Lessons learned from recent National Innovation Strategies:
2. Funding Strategies for Innovation:
3. Regulations in the Global Networked Economy and its impact on innovation:
4. Technological trends that shape the context in which innovation takes place:
5. The territorial dimension: Building Regional Innovation Systems
6. The sectorial dimension: Promoting innovation in the agricultural-rural sector:
7. The sectorial dimension: Promoting innovation in the service sector:
8. Education and Social Innovation:

Call for Papers:
Invitation to present papers:
The 13th ICTPI-2011 Conference will take place in Bogotá, Colombia, on September 8 and 9, 2011, on the topic of "Building a National Innovation Strategy in a Globally Networked Economy". Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit papers on any of the themes that have been selected for the Conference, which may be consulted in the section on "Themes of ICTPI-2011".
Paper selection will be based upon submission of an extended abstract of at least 300 words, which should be typed double-spaced in English. The extended abstracts should clearly state the objectives, methodology, results and conclusions of the work with supporting main references. It must include e-mail and/or FAX addresses. Please ensure that the abstract is representative of the research work to be submitted for presentation during the Conference and include KEY-WORDS and the MAIN THEME to which your presentation relates (select one from "Themes of ICTPI-2011".)

Interested authors may click here to submit their abstracts.

Important deadlines:
a) 1/2 Page Abstracts due before May 31, 2011
Abstracts should be no longer than 1.000 words and clearly present the objectives, methodologies and (expected) results of the work, as well as indicate the Conference topic(s) that the paper will address, or alternatively other topics under the Conference theme, and pertinent keywords
b) Notification of Action of Acceptance by June 20, 2011.
c) Full–papers due before August 15, 2011.

Further Details

Design!publiC: Bringing Design Thinking to the Challenges of Governance Innovation

Design!publiC: Bringing Design Thinking to the Challenges of Governance Innovation

Background

The problem of governance is perhaps as old as society, as old as the rule of law. But it is only more recently -- perhaps the last five hundred years of modernity -- that human societies have been able to conceive of different models of government, different modalities of public administration, all having different effects on the configuration of society. The problem of governments, of governmentality, and of governance is always also the problem of how to change the very processes and procedures of government, so as to enhance the ends of the state and to promote the collective good.

Since the establishment of India's republic, many kinds of changes have been made to the policies and practices of its state. We may think of, for instance, successive stages of land reforms, the privatization of large-scale and extractive industries, the subsequent abolition of the License Raj and so and so forth. We may also consider the computerization of state documents beginning in the 1980s, and more recently, the Right To Information Act (RTI). More recently there have been activist campaigns to reduce the discretionary powers of government and to thereby reduce the scope of corruption in public life.

While all these cases represent the continuous process of modification, reform, and change to government policy and even to its modes of functioning, this is not what we have in mind when we speak of ‘governance innovation.' Rather, intend a specific process of ethnographic inquiry into the real needs of citizens, followed by an inclusive approach to reorganizing and representing that information in such a way that it may promote collaborative problem-solving and solutioneering through the application of design thinking.

The concept of design thinking has emerged only recently, and it has been used to describe approaches to problem solving that include: (i) redefining the fundamental challenges at hand, (ii) evaluating multiple possible options and solutions in parallel, and (iii) prioritizing and selecting those which are likely to achieve the greatest benefits for further consideration. This approach may also be iterative, allowing decisions to be made in general and specific ways as an organization gets closer and closer to the solution. Design thinking turns out to be not an individual but collective and social process, requiring small and large groups to be able to work together in relation to the available information about the task or challenge at hand. Design thinking can lead to innovative ideas, to new insights, and to new actionable directions for organizations.

This general approach to innovation -- and the central role of design thinking -- has emerged from the private sector over the last quarter century, and has enjoyed particular success in regards to the development of new technology products, services and experience. The question we would like to address in this conference is whether and how this approach can be employed for the transformation public and governmental systems. More...

Download Design Public Book

Organizers:
Center for Knowledge Societies (CKS)
Centre for Internet and Society (CIS)
Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR) and others

INSEE Conference on Nature, Economy and Society: Understanding the Linkages

The Sixth Biennial Conference of INSEE

on

Nature, Economy and Society: Understanding the Linkages

October 20-22, 2011

Venue: Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad

Organized by

Indian Society for Ecological Economics (INSEE) & Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad

The conference shall address a diverse repertoire of issues at the interface of nature, economy and society and explore how to use the understanding for policy formulation. Papers, panels and symposia on the themes and sub-themes identified are invited below:

1. Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services for Life and Human Well-being
2. Accounting for Nature: macro and micro economic approaches
3. Global and Local Impact of Economic Growth, Trade and Globalisation on the Environment (at different scales)
4. Alternative Approaches to Nature and Society and Assessing the Role of Knowledge and Power
5. Social Norms, Culture and Human Behaviour in relation to the Environment
6. Towards Green and Sustainable Socio-economic Systems: including ecological agriculture, energy efficient industry and sustainable urban habitats
7. Equity and Governance Issues in relation to the global, national and local commons

• Deadline for Abstract of 400 words [kindly mention the theme]: February 28, 2011
• Communication of acceptance of abstract: March 31, 2011
• Submission of Full paper of 12,000 words [maximum], to be reviewed: May 15, 2011
• Communication of Final acceptance: August 31, 2011.

Other Events planned:

• Pre-conference Workshop on ‘Pathways to Inter-disciplinarity’ (19th October, 2011)
• Workshop for PhD Students working on Environmental and Ecological Economics (22nd October, 2011)
• Panel Discussions on (a) Ecological/Rainfed Agriculture, and (b) Valuation Issues in South Asia.
• Other Interdisciplinary Panel proposals on Ecological Economics are invited. Visit www.ecoinsee.org for details.

For Information on other Panels, Plenary Speakers, Conference Publication, Prearranged Local Visits, Travel Grant, Conference Registration, Local Hospitality and Crèche kindly visit website www.ecoinsee.org.

Contact:

Sushil Kumar Sen, Office Manager, INSEE, c/o. Institute of Economic Growth, University of Delhi Enclave, Delhi-110007 India

Fax: 011-27667410, email: sushil@iegindia.org

Further Details

Measuring R&D: Challenges Faced by Developing Countries

Measuring R&D: Challenges Faced by Developing Countries

Published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Montreal, Canada: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2010.
ISBN 978-92-9189-094-1

About

The study of knowledge systems relies heavily on the use of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) indicators to establish cross-national comparisons and to follow their evolution over time. Of the different types of STI indicators, research and experimental development (R&D) statistics are probably the most important. To produce R&D statistics, the methodology proposed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in the Frascati Manual (FM) is used extensively in developing countries despite the fact that it was originally written for R&D surveys in OECD member countries. This confirms the FM as the most widely accepted international standard practice for R&D surveys. In addition, the involvement of UNESCO and other international organizations has only served to further its development and diffusion.

However, the characteristics of research systems in developing countries differ significantly from the ones that gave rise to the current statistical standard. When producing statistics and indicators, the tension between prioritizing international comparability – embodied in the frequently uncritical application of the FM by developing countries – and producing policy-relevant results that reflect the particular characteristics of these countries becomes evident. The main challenge is in obtaining cross-nationally comparable indicators while at the same time adequately reflecting the characteristics of developing countries.

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) has taken on the task of preparing an Annex to the FM that will provide guidance to developing countries on how to use the standards proposed in the Manual for measuring R&D. The Annex will provide suggestions on how the concepts in the FM should be interpreted to ensure that data better reflect the particular characteristics of R&D activity in developing countries while still maintaining international comparability.

This Technical Paper is a stand-alone document on measuring R&D in developing countries and will serve as the basis for an Annex to the FM. In addition to providing guidance on how the concepts in the FM should be interpreted, this guide also offers suggestions on how to strengthen STI statistical systems in developing countries. This document will also address and provide recommendations for specific situations that fall outside the framework of the FM. In time, some of the recommendations in this guide could serve as input for future revisions of the Manual.

Download Full-text PDF

Related background documents:

• The Frascati Manual (developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD)
  
• The Characteristics of R&D in Developing Countries
  
• Measuring R&D in South Africa and in selected SADC countries: issues in implementing Frascati Manual based surveys
  
• Measuring R&D in developing countries: measurement priorities and methodological issues in Latin America
  

Further Details