MP/SCIENTIST PAIRING SCHEME LAUNCH – AGENDA

The Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) and the Parliament of Uganda are working with the Royal Society, UK and the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology, UK (POST) through the support of the Gatby Foundation, UK to pilot an MP/Scientists Pairing Scheme. The scheme is pairing together 5 individual Ugandan scientists and 5 Ugandan MPs so that they can improve understanding of each others' work and build lasting relationships.

The scheme will be launched on 11th September 2008 at Grand Imperial Hotel Kampala starting at 6pm. This launch will mark the culmination of a week-long program of activities of interaction between the Scientists and MPs termed as the 'August Assembly Week' (AAW). Please see the agenda below.

:: DAY 1 (8th September 2008, Hotel Equatorial)

Objective: This day is intended to introduce the scientists participating in the scheme to the science policy framework in Uganda as well as the roles of the S&T committee of Parliament and the Research Dept. Science communication skills will also be discussed.
(The target audience is scientists, MPs participating in the scheme, staff from the Research dept. of parliament, UNAS staff and UNSCT staff)

8.30a.m. – 9.00a.m.                 ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION

SESSION 1
9.00a.m. – 9.10a.m.                 Introduction and welcome UNAS
9.10a.m. – 9.25a.m.                 Presentation from UNCST (Science, Technology & Innovations Policy in Uganda)
9.25a.m. – 9.40a.m.                 Presentation from Chairperson S&T Committee at Parliament (Role and mandate of the committee)
9.40a.m. – 10.00a.m.               Discussion

10.00a.m. – 10.30a.m.             BREAK

SESSION 2
10.30a.m. – 10.45a.m.             Presentation from Royal Society UK
10.45a.m. – 11.00a.m.             Presentation from Library & Research Dept at Parliament (Profile and functions of the dept.)
11.00a.m. – 11.15a.m.             Discussion
11.15a.m. – 11.45a.m.             Science Communication skills development
11.45a.m. – 12.30p.m.                        Discussion

12.30p.m. – 2.00p.m.              LUNCH

SESSION 3

2.00p.m. – 4.30p.m.                Science Communication skills development (cont’d)

DAY 2 (9th September 2008)

Objective: This day is intended to introduce the scientists participating in the scheme to the workings of parliament for them to have an understanding of how they can contribute to policy making. (The target audience is the participating scientists and MPs and S&T committee)
10.00am – 12.00pm                Meeting the MPs
12.00pm – 1.00pm                  Tour of Parliament
1.00pm – 2.00pm                    Lunch
2.00pm – 5.00pm                    Attend plenary session of Parliament

DAY 3 (10th September 2008)

The objective and target audience is the same as for day 2
10.00am – 11.00am                  Attend the S&T committee meeting
11.00am – 1.00pm                  Informal Shadowing
1.00pm – 2.00pm                    Lunch
2.00pm – 5.00pm                    Attend Parliament plenary session

DAY 4 (11th September 2008)

Objective: The objective of this day is to interface with the press and inform them about the pairing scheme and also launch the scheme. The target audience is MPs, Scientists, Media, other invitees.
10.00am – 1.00pm                  Press Conference
6.00p.m.                                   Launch Reception (Grand Imperial Hotel)