Draft Culture of Peace Programme in Mozambique 55-60

PROJECT PROFILE 8.0

The long term sustainability of peace depends upon the development of an economy of peace which is based upon production and technology which is materially and culturally appropriate for the country concerned. In terms of Mozambique with its rural economy, it means the sustainable utilization of national natural resources, the building of endogenous capacity, and the use of appropriate technology.

Science can play an important role in the development of such an economy of peace. "Science" is defined broadly here to include applied as well as basic sciences and social as well as biological and physical sciences. As pointed out at the establishment by UNESCO of the International fund for the Technological Development of Africa, scientific research and development can help resolve basic need problems such as food production, processing and packaging, involving emerging technologies such as biotechnology and information technology, and dealing with basic resources such as water, renewable energies, derivation of health products from medicinal plants and the improvement of local materials for building purposes and transportation. It can also contribute to the rational integration of this research and development with the social fabric and needs of the society.

In the case of Mozambique, it is important that science be closely related to rural development and that it bear in mind the special needs of African women in science and engineering. Also, whereas transfer of knowledge is critical (and hence the development of information technology), it is equally important that the knowledge be effectively adapted for local use.

Most research and development in Mozambique is conducted within or in close collaboration with Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM). As pointed out in its mission document, "in reality the UEM is only institution in the country capable of producing the academic programs capable or leading to the process of technological development and the research conducive to appropriate technological transfer and autonomous

technological development." At the current time, with over 3400 students and 570 teaching staff, the University grants degrees in 22 programs, a majority of which are in science and technology. The teaching staff also engages extensively in research, consulting and extension (including publication, specialized in-service training, and pilot projects).

It is not the purpose of the Culture of Peace Programme to give general support to the development of a scientific and technological infrastructure in Mozambique, although it could be argued such an infrastructure would contribute to peace. Instead, it is proposed that the Programme support those aspects of scientific development which can have a crucial leverage in making it serve the interests of the people as a whole and in particular the rural economy and rural women. Thus, the Programme singles out for attention the increased recruitment of students from rural areas and the participation by students in research in rural areas.

The essence of the scientific method, it may be argued, is the use of precise information, both the publication of quantitative results and technology and access to the scientific results and technology developed by others. Hence a second area singled out for attention in this proposal concerns the development of information technology at the University.

In order to promote participation of rural youth and especially women in the development of science with application to rural peaceful development, the project supports two ongoing programmes of the University: 1) the provision of scholarship aid to students, especially women, from rural areas of all the provinces; and 2) the support of the "July Activities".

The July Activities is a tradition which was instituted and extensively developed in the first few years of independence by which students used their July vacation from the University to go to the countryside and work on projects related to their field of study. This tradition was discontinued during the armed conflict, and is now being reintroduced. Although it is enthusiastically received by many students, it has hitherto lacked the financial support necessary for the travel and maintenance involved.

In the long term the University could contribute more to rural development throughout the country if it were decentralized to some extent. Hence the project supports a feasibility study for the development of pilot regional centers of the University.

In order to promote the development of information technology and transfer at the University, the project supports three initiatives for which the University has made plans: 1) the extension of the University e-mail system to all professors, departments and libraries, laboratories and other work facilities; 2) the development of a central library at the University, with an emphasis on computer access to scientific information; and 3) the production of a periodic Mozambique journal of science.

In order to ensure the long-term functioning of equipment, provided through this project, a sum of 50% has been added to equipment expenses in order to provide for maintenance costs.

While the main emphasis of this project is on endogenous capacity-building, there is also a component for international scientific exchange centering on the questions of a culture of peace and the role of science and technology for peace. It will support the establishment of university exchange in these areas through the UNITWIN/UNESCO chairs programme.

A sub-project of action research will be undertaken on the role of science in the development of a rural-based economy of peace in Mozambique with recommendations for future development priorities.

Summary of Activities:

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