SCIFEST 2022
BACK TO THE BASICS
After two years of hosting Scifest Africa virtually, South Africa’s national science festival is returning to its live format in Makhanda from 7 – 13 September 2022!
Since 1996, Scifest Africa has been a doorway into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) for the people of South Africa. Since its inception, Scifest Africa has hosted hundreds of international speakers and workshop leaders, and has enlightened and entertained well over a million attendees of all ages, becoming the largest of such an event on the continent.
Our theme for 2022 is “Back to the Basics”, inspired by UNESCO’s “International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development 2022”. In 2022 we will be highlighting the crucial role of basic sciences (physics, chemistry, maths & biology) for sustainable development, and emphasising their contributions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2022 festival will promote the awareness, understanding and appreciation of STEMI through a range of diverse topics, including, but not limited to:
- Strengthening the role of basic science in building sustainable solutions and resilience against global problems
- The promotion and financing of basic science education and literacy campaigns as a key component for human development
- The future of 4IR (the internet, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence
- The role of diversity, equity and inclusive participation in Science, Technology and Innovation
- The links between innovation and sustainable economic development
- Life beyond Earth and how space related research helps us in understanding the world around us
- The deliberate inclusion of art and creativity in the study, communication and presentation of Science, Technology and Innovation.
- The integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in modern science
- Basic science as a global public good and vehicle to attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals