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Between 2006 and 2010 the World Bank sought to unmask the role of science, technology, and innovation in Ugandan industry. This report presents insights from this research based on case studies of six sectors: agriculture, health, energy, information and communication technology (ICT), transport, and logistics. Based on more than 80 interviews cutting across Uganda's small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, and government entities, the report's findings are intended to offer the government and its partners in industry increased clarity about how better to harness science, technology, and innovation to propel the economy. Enabling implementation of the recent Uganda national science, technology, and innovation policy is a parallel goal of the report. The policy articulates the government's intent to foster research and development that builds the human capital that Uganda requires for a knowledge-based economy. The case studies from which this report's recommendations are drawn depict a diverse range of experiences across industrial sectors in terms of generating, applying, and adapting science and technology to contribute to Uganda's development. Despite the relatively small size of the country's investments in science and technology, the past 20 years have seen considerable advances in building capacity in science and technology, developing related institutions and human resources, advancing collaboration and communication, and expanding the base of available knowledge. But given Uganda's limited investments in science and technology, policies should prioritize near-term investments that benefit key sectors. This report identifies those near-term investments as well as longer-term ones (three to five years in the future).

The cases from the forum presented here capture the lessons from the science, technology, and innovation (STI) capacity building experiences of both developing and industrial countries (governments working in partnership with the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, academia, and development partners). These cases highlight ways that STI capacity building programs have enabled countries to achieve the following: (i) provide essential services, such as access to clean drinking water in rural villages and availability of affordable, reliable energy sources; (ii) exploit opportunities to produce higher-productivity, value-added agriculture crops; (iii) transition from exporting unprocessed raw materials to exporting value-added products and from low-skilled assembly operations to higher-skilled manufacturing processes; (iv) create benefits from an increasingly open trading system and increased flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) by proactively generating spillovers to the local economy; and (v) maintain competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy marked by rapid technological change. History suggests that these challenges are daunting, but they are not impossible to overcome. Many countries have managed to build the STI capacity they needed to thrive and prosper. So that other countries may profit from lessons learned, the global forum discussed what these countries achieved and how they achieved what they did. The collective task is to help countries convert these lessons of experience into specific STI capacity building programs that can be implemented on the ground and that will have a significant, measurable impact on people's lives.

The workshop brings diverse perspectives from outside the World Bank, providing a forum in which to exchange ideas and debate in the course of developing the World Development Report (WDR). Participants at the 2006 Berlin Workshop gathered to discuss challenges and successes pertaining to agriculture and development. Agriculture is the major sector contributing to economic development in many poor countries. Three out of every four poor people in developing countries live in rural areas. As globalization accelerates, development policies should tackle future challenges in agriculture arising from the scarcity of natural resources and globalization. The author highlights the paramount importance of redefining the framework for agriculture, providing us with food for thought and putting forward suggestions that need greater reflection and more detailed discussion. The contribution focuses on three main topics. First, the author presents some considerations on global agricultural development and trade. The author describes the different approaches to agricultural development, outcomes and effects of these approaches and evaluates which nations or which population groups are benefiting, as this could help to develop target group oriented strategies in poverty alleviation and agriculture. Second, the author takes a critical look at how agriculture and the rural sector can be an effective engine for growth. Another issue on the agenda is to determine what agriculture needs in the way of technology, infrastructure, and financial support to become a growth engine? These new insights should contribute to an appropriate formulation and implementation of tailored agriculture for development programs. Finally, the author looks at development in connection with systematic capacity building and training, pointing out the need to define sound capacity-building measures in terms of agriculture as well as to determine how these could be used more effectively.

India's recent growth has been impressive, with real GDP rising by over eight percent a year since 2004 -- accompanied by a jump in innovative activities. Growth has been driven by rapid expansion in export-oriented, skill-intensive manufacturing and, especially, skill-intensive services. The book is structured as follows: Chapter 1 reviews the Indian context and enabling environment. Chapter 2 analyzes knowledge creation and commercialization. Chapter 3 discusses knowledge diffusion and absorption. Chapter 4 encourages inclusive, pro-poor innovation. Chapter 5 addresses the need for stronger skills and education for innovation. Chapter 6 examines ways of improving information infrastructure. Chapter 7 suggests approaches to enhance innovation finance.