The STEPS Centre and its international partners have published a new manifesto, forty years after The Sussex Manifesto contributed to the development of contemporary thinking on science and technology for development. The New Manifesto aims to reenergize the role of science, technology, and innovation in promoting social fairness, environmental resilience, and sustainable development in a time of rapid change. This article outlines the New Manifesto’s main tenets and goals as well as how it seeks to build a more resilient future for everyone.
Innovation that is inclusive and ensures access for all
The concept of inclusive innovation is at the core of the New Manifesto. The manifesto urges action to guarantee that these advantages are available to everyone, regardless of their social or economic background, since it acknowledges that scientific and technical developments have the ability to transform lives and raise living standards. The New Manifesto seeks to empower neglected populations and close the gap between the developed and developing worlds by building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.
Addressing Global Challenges with Sustainability and Resilience
The future of our planet is threatened by environmental issues including resource depletion, climate change, and others, so the New Manifesto places a big emphasis on sustainability and resilience. It promotes the creation and use of environmentally friendly products, services, and procedures that lessen their adverse effects on the environment while assisting societies in adjusting to and minimizing the effects of global issues. The New Manifesto aspires to provide a more stable and secure future for future generations by emphasizing sustainability and resilience.
Using Multidisciplinary Approaches to Solve Complex Issues
Global challenges necessitate integrated solutions due to their complexity and interdependence. By promoting interdisciplinary approaches that bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from various fields and sectors, The New Manifesto recognizes this. This collaborative approach encourages the sharing of information and concepts and aids in the creation of creative solutions that can tackle several problems at once.
Solutions Tailored to the Context, Honoring Local Needs and Cultures
The New Manifesto acknowledges that there are numerous difficulties that different nations and groups must solve, and that there are no universally applicable solutions. It encourages the creation of contextually appropriate solutions that take into account regional requirements, available resources, and cultural contexts. The New Manifesto encourages personalized approaches in an effort to produce more efficient and long-lasting development plans that respect each community’s particular qualities.
Empowering Local Communities to Promote Innovation
A fundamental principle of the New Manifesto is giving local communities the tools they need to manage their own development. By giving communities the skills, information, and resources they need to create and execute their own solutions to the problems they confront, it fosters grassroots creativity. The New Manifesto aims to create a more resilient future from the ground up by encouraging community-driven innovation.
Collaborating and Co-creating: Bringing Stakeholders Together for Impact
The New Manifesto also stresses the value of cooperation and co-creation among diverse players, including governments, NGOs, the commercial sector, and civil society. The New Manifesto seeks to ensure that scientific and technical advancements are successfully exploited to spur sustainable development and social progress by bringing together a variety of players to pool their knowledge and resources.
A ambitious vision for building a future that is more robust is presented in The New Manifesto for Science, Technology, and Development. It aims to inspire and empower a worldwide movement committed to using science, technology, and innovation for the greater good by fostering inclusive innovation, sustainability, interdisciplinary collaboration, context-specific solutions, grassroots empowerment, and co-creation. The New Manifesto’s guiding principles provide a road map for creating a more sustainable, just, and resilient world for all people as we confront unprecedented global challenges.