4 to 7 December 2006, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The public communication of science and technology is expanding rapidly as a professional and academic field, with national and global networks being formed to facilitate collaboration and share best practices. While these networks are rapidly expanding in other countries, there is a low level of participation from Africa in this field.

In December 2006, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) hosted an African Science Communication Conference focusing specifically on the need to develop this field and establish collaborative networks on the African continent engaging academies, universities, the public, science centres and private research centres, as well as industry, the media, the education field and professional practitioners.

The conference was held at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth , South Africa , from 5-7 December 2006.

The conference aimed to:

• Bring together Science Communication role players and representatives from African countries and internationally to develop the field of Science Communication in Africa and forge/strengthen collaborative networks on the continent;
• Establish Africa as an international role player in the field of Science Communication; and
• Provide opportunities for skills transfer in the area of Science Communication.