Calestous Juma
- MIT Sponsors:
- Bishwapriya Sanyal, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
- Phillip Clay, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
- Lawrence Susskind, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
The trailblazers in human, academic, scientific and religious freedom have always been in the minority… It will take such a small committed minority to work unrelentingly to win the uncommitted majority. Such a group may transform America’s greatest dilemma into her most glorious opportunity.
Background
Calestous Juma is professor of the practice of international development; faculty chair of the Innovation for Economic Development Executive Program; director of the Science, Technology, and Globalization Project; and director of the Agricultural Innovation in Africa Project at Harvard Kennedy School. He holds a DPhil in science and technology policy studies from the University of Sussex.
Interests
Juma is an internationally-recognized authority on the application of science and technology to sustainable development. In addition to co-chairing the African Union’s High-Level Panel on Science, Technology and Innovation, he was the first permanent Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and founding executive director of the African Centre for Technology Studies in Nairobi. Juma also co-chaired the Science, Technology and Innovation Panel of UN Millennium Project and the African High-Level Panel on Modern Biotechnology of the African Union.
News Items
FARA’s interview: Calestous Juma
The MLK Visiting Professor discusses the infrastructure around Africa’s domestic agricultural research and development.
Professeurs sans frontières : Calestous Juma, résolument technophile
Jeuene Afrique profiles the MLK Visiting Professor.
Juma receives Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize
MLK Visiting Professor Calestous Juma has been recognized for his leadership in socioeconomic development in Africa.
3 Questions: Calestous Juma on African development
MIT event featuring MLK Visiting Professor Calestous Juma spotlights new approaches to economic growth on the continent.
Calestous Juma on Being Pro-Africa, Why Africa Needs GM Crops, and How He Came to Be a Cheerleader
The MLK Visiting Professor describes his work as a "cheerleader for African leaders and youth."
Sample Work
Publication
Feeding the Next Generation: Science, Business, and Public Policy
Belfer Center for Science and International Affiars, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, USA (co-editor). (2011)Publication
The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa
Oxford University Press, New York. (2011)Publication
Health Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Special Issue of the BMC International Health and Human Rights, Vol. 10, Supplement 1. (2010)Publication
World Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change
World Bank, Washington, DC (substantial contributor on technological innovation). (2009)