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Conference of the African Science Academy Development Initiative

Ambassador Niels Marquardt addressed a conference of 170 delegates of the African science academies, at the Hilton Hotel on November 15, 2006. The conference brought together a wide range of Africa’s scientists and policy makers to encourage the use of informed scientific advice in the political decision-making process. The conference, which is part of the African Science Academy Development Initiative and spearheaded by the National Academies of the United States, was part of a ten-year initiative to strengthen the capability of African science academies for providing independent, evidence-based advice to policy makers and to build governmental recognition of the value of such advice. This initiative is supported by a USD $20 million award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation whose objectives include infrastructure enhancement as well as the testing and development of different models for policy advice. (Ambassador's speech)