David Dickson
- 1. The role of the media in tackling disease in the developing world BA Festival of Science University of LIverpool, 10 September 2008 David Dickson , Director, SciDev.Net
- 2. www.scidev.net Science, technology and innovation are essential to meet the challenges of: achieving economic growth , reducing poverty , and tackling food shortages and disease . Premise (1)
- 3. www.scidev.net The communication of accurate and accessible information about science and technology are essential to achieve all of these objectives.
- 4. www.scidev.net This is true of the communication of information about diseases and their potential treatment to: Policymakers Citizens In particular:
- 5. www.scidev.net Policymakers at all levels need accurate, timely and reliable information about potential role of biomedical science in tackling diseases and thus meeting development objectives. Policymakers needs:
- 6. www.scidev.net This information is needed to: Identify allocation of health resources Identify research needs Construct appropriate regulatory framework. Policymakers needs (Ctd):
- 7. www.scidev.net Public understanding of, and engagement in , biomedical science ensures open and democratic debate about the promises that research offers. Public needs:
- 8. www.scidev.net Public understanding is also required to handle the potential misuses of biomedical research, and to ensure evidence-based decisions are\taken by policymakers. Public needs (ctd):
- 9. www.scidev.net Effective communication about biomedical science is an essential requirement for effective development. Conclusion:
- 10. www.scidev.net Eliminating the transaction of costs of communicating biomedical information opens up new possibilities and opportunities for communication information about diseases and their potential treatments. World-wide web:
- 12. www.scidev.net What we are and what we do
- 13. www.scidev.net To become a basic resource for policymakers and stakeholders concerned with science – including biomedical science – and development issues. To achieve this by providing a combination of topical and background information that is both authoritative and accessible Our goal
- 14. www.scidev.net Activities: Operating a free-access website ( www.scidev.net ) containing news, views and analysis about science in the developing world. Organising regional workshops and other activities – including internships – to enhance the capacity of science communicators and others (including researchers) to provide reliable and authoritative information on such issues
- 15. www.scidev.net Our website contains News Feature articles • Opinion articles • Weekly editorial • Dossiers (including commissioned policy briefs) • Notices (including lists of meetings, grants and jobs) • Links (e.g. to scientific organisations and journals) • Feedback from users
- 30. Capacity-building workshops These are intended to help build capacity in developing countries to report accurately on science and technology and their contributions to development.
- 31. www.scidev.net SciDev.Net is currently funded by: UK Department for International Development (DFID) Swedish International Development Agency (Sida/SAREC) • International Development Research Centre (IDRC) • Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs (DGIS) • Swiss Development Agency (SDC)
- 32. www.scidev.net www.scidev.net For more information , and to register to receive free weekly email alert , visit us at Thank you! Liverpool, 10 September 2008