Manifesto

WE NOTE:

# In the global economy, innovation is recognized as a social, cultural and economic development tool.
Countries which have established enabling environments for innovation and comprehensive innovation
systems, are the prosperous countries.

# Innovation is acknowledged to assist industrial competitiveness in developing and developed nations across
the world. Countries which have invested resources in dedicated innovation strategies, have advanced
faster.

# Although support for innovation has increased over a wide spectrum in South Africa as private and public
initiatives, there is a lack of coordination and no clear understanding of the role of innovation.

# There is a lack of cohesion, cooperation, direction and commitment amongst government departments. The
systems in place often are counterproductive in assisting the creation of a culture of innovation.

# Innovation is a significant tool to assist social transformation within countries and specific environments.
South Africa’s diverse population and their specific needs should be considered and innovation in creating
developmental programmes should be attuned to these differences.

# Not harnessing the considerable inherent innovative and creative potential and ability of its citizens have
resulted that South Africa is falling behind its trading partners.

# South Africa is in many ways the leading nation on the African continent. For Africa to be a winning
continent, South Africa has an obligation to set the example of investing in innovation.

# In a rapidly changing environment, the need for a cohesive strategy for a national innovation system for
South Africa is becoming apparent.

# There is a need for a high level body driving the implementation of the National System of Innovation, e g A
government department of INNOVATION

WE PROPOSE:

The building of a South African Innovation Community known as SAINe to:

# Focus on the development of a National System of Innovation for South Africa for economic and social
benefit with positive influences spilling over to neighbouring countries.

# Create a manifesto that will encapsulate the concerns, recommendations and commitment of SAINe leaders
of Innovation to be used as an instrument to lobby support and understanding of the importance of
dedicated activities to grow a culture of innovation in South Africa.

# Achieve this ideal, we will identify individual task teams to work on ground level with:

    * Publicity, wiki and media liaison;
    * networking with existing bodies e g SARIMA;
    * organising and attending and sponsoring Innovation Summits;
    * create regular communication through websites
    * innovation think tanks
    * creating case studies to illustrate the impact of innovation
    * workshops on case studies
    * guest lectures
    * mentoring and coaching
    * engage with government departments e g DST with innovation programmes
    * use the SAINe network e g for distributing information
    * document innovation systems in individual organisations
    * arrange and sponsor quarterly meetings to report back on the resolutions and activities
    * take initiative on regional level to implement the resolution
    * Lobby policy makers
    * Influence academics

WE RESOLVE:

# We resolve to network all the stakeholders involved with innovation in South Africa to foster the
sustainable development of our country, to improve quality of life and economic prosperity for all.

# We consider with a sense of urgency the continuing lack of enabling conditions for innovation recognition
and development. We will take advantage of the opportunities presented by the present global
environment, on the African continent and in South Africa. We commit ourselves to the recommendations
and solutions decided on at the COFISA workshop and pledge our mutual support for its implementation.