Training Workshop for Latin America on Policies and Policy Instruments in Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs

Background

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda highlight the importance of science, technology and innovation (STI) policies and actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM) and the UN Interagency Task Team on STI for the SDGs (IATT) were created to mobilize solutions of STI to achieve the SDGs, and is made up of various entities, such as UNCTAD, UNIDO, UNESCO, UNU MERIT, WIPO, UNDESA, UNEP, WB, ITU, UNESCWA, UNECA, UNECLAC, UNECE, UNESCAP, among others.

IATT Work Stream 6 (WS6) is responsible for developing STI capacities for the SDGs, for which it designs and delivers workshops and training courses on STI policy, aimed at key STI policymakers, especially in developing countries. WS6 has delivered three face-to-face regional trainings (for the Arab States and Central American and African countries) and five online training workshops (2020-2022), including one for Latin America, which have benefited more than 800 officials from 90 countries.

On this occasion, within the framework of the Conference on Science, Innovation and Information and Communication Technologies of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), a new edition of the Training Workshop for Latin America on Policies and Policy Instruments in Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs will be held in virtual format, from March 27 to 31, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (Chilean time).

The workshop is structured in five sessions of two hours each, in which the participants will be able to discuss and analyze the conceptual and methodological approaches, as well as the actions and means used by governments for the design, implementation and evaluation of policies in STI.

Training Objectives

Those responsible for designing policies in Latin America have begun to realize that science, technology and innovation cannot be seen as an isolated component from other matters of concern to governments and society in general, and that they must develop capacities to build strong STI systems to achieve the SDGs and address pressing environmental, economic and social challenges.

The purpose of this online training designed by IATT WS6 is to raise awareness and understanding of key aspects of STI policies and instruments, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship processes, and how they relate to the SDGs. The aim is to involve the participants in debates and practical reflection on existing approaches, case studies and national experiences in the design, implementation and management of STI policies.

The sessions have the following specific objectives:

Share knowledge and practical experiences using different methodological approaches for the design and implementation of STI policies and instruments.
Recognize the importance of transparent, participatory, inclusive and evidence-based STI policy-making processes, with effective monitoring and evaluation.
Understand the importance of establishing an appropriate and well-balanced mix of STI policy instruments and initiatives that help address global challenges, and sensitize stakeholders to the requirements for successful implementation of such policies.
Highlight that productive actors (private companies, public companies, small and medium-sized companies, farmers, inventors, entrepreneurs) are crucial to respond to the global crisis and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, and appreciate the need to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

Training Content

The training workshop is structured in five sessions of two hours each (two sessions were added to the previous version), taught in Spanish, on five consecutive days. Each session is structured around a main presentation, followed by cases and practical experiences, and considers a dynamic that promotes group discussion and the exchange of experiences among peers.

Session 1. Current approaches to STI policy-making in the context of the SDGs (March 27, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Chile)

Session presenting existing approaches and methodologies for policy formulation and implementation in United Nations agencies, with discussion on case studies in the development, review and implementation of STI policies and strategies. Examples of how STI policies are being guiding towards the achievement of the SDGs and the strengthening of STI systems to give better responses to current and future crises.

Session 2. STI policy instruments (March 28, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Chile)

Session introducing the concepts of policy instruments, including legal frameworks, financing mechanisms, etc., followed by methodological approaches to the design and implementation of policy instruments in UN agencies. The session will illustrate how to establish an appropriate and well-balanced mix of STI policy instruments and initiatives.

Session 3. Promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship (March 29, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Chile)

Session in which the concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship will be discussed, with a focus on government support for start-ups, SMEs and innovators, followed by best practices and success stories of innovation entities in response to crises and global challenges, and examples of direct impact of innovation policies.

Session 4. Implementation of the STI policy (March 30, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Chile)

Session focused on the requirements for the successful implementation of policies and instruments. The implementation of policies will be discussed through the analysis of its key dimensions, as well as the presentation of concrete experiences in countries with different levels of development.

Session 5. Monitoring and evaluation of STI policies (March 31, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Chile)

Session presenting approaches, practices, and methods for policy monitoring and evaluation, with case studies and examples of current practices, challenges, and lessons learned. The session will provide a general introduction and answer the question "Why monitor and evaluate STI policies?"

Participants Profile

The workshop is aimed at professionals and public sector policy makers working in different areas of science, technology and innovation policies. It is an introductory workshop, so it is aimed at professionals and staff who are new to the field of policy formulation, as well as for those who wish to refresh their knowledge on the subject.

The ministries or agencies in charge of STI policies in Latin America, as well as institutions involved in IATT STI policy projects and activities, have been invited to nominate participants, which will foster peer discussion.