Enhancing Science Partnerships for Innovation and Sustainable Development

The research report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) published in January 2012 evaluates the competitive ability of towns and cities worldwide on the basis of their attraction to investors, companies, employees and tourists. It was noted that the competitive ability of South African cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg is constantly increasing. The German-South African Year of Science 2012/ 2013 is fostering this trend by endeavouring to ensure that innovations lead to the advancement of sustainable developments in particular.

According to the study, since 2012 it has been above all the economic power of South African and Latin American cities which has improved. This trend is likely to be reinforced through to 2016. Economic growth is being fostered above all through investment in infrastructure, and the attraction for top management all over the world is on the increase. Alongside infrastructure the biggest challenge for South African cities will, in particular, be that of taking into consideration “soft aspects”. These include, above all, the promotion of young professionals, as well as the development of the areas of education, quality of life and personal freedom. In the German-South African Year of Science 2012/2013 numerous events are taking place in Germany and South Africa through to April 2013, at which scientific and educational organisations, research facilities and companies are participating.