Nanotechnology, which encompasses a broad range of tools, techniques, and applications, are widely perceived as one of the most significant technologies of the 21st century. Products developed with nanotechnology or that incorporate nano-scale materials are already on the market. Regulatory agencies, companies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders are becoming aware of the potentially far-reaching implications of nanotechnology as the science evolves and applications proliferate.
Meridian Institute is convening the Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks in order to:
During the first phase of the GDNP (May 2004 - August 2005), Meridian's strategies focused mostly on the first goal of raising awareness about the implications of nanotechnology for the poor. Meridian used several strategies for accomplishing these objectives, including:
Convening a multi-stakeholder Steering Group (SG) meeting to advise Meridian about the specific activities it should pursue during the GDNP's second phase (Click here for details).
Recent and Upcoming GDNP Activities
To further the GDNP's broad objectives, Meridian will develop the following set of activities aimed at:
Generating information, raising awareness, fostering linkages and informing decisions:
Meeting for donor institutions interested in nanotechnology and more broadly the role of science and technology in development (Click here for more information)
Identifying and ground-truthing specific opportunities and risks:
Multi-stakeholder workshop on commodities, development, and nanotechnology
(Click here for more information)
Addressing issues of global significance:
(these activities are contingent on funding)
Multi-stakeholder global-level group focused on "cross-cutting issues"
(Click here for more information)
In addition, the GDNP is building linkages with national activities in India and regional activities in the Andean region.
Taken as a package, this collection of activities is designed to address the critical issues identified by the SG and the overall objectives of the GDNP. Short descriptions of each of these activities can be found in the SG meeting summary, which is available here.
Paper and On-line Consultation
Meridian Institute developed a Paper to raise awareness about the implications of nanotechnology for poor people, both the potential opportunities and risks.
To solicit views on the issues raised in the paper, Meridian Institute sponsored an on-line consultation between January 24 and March 1, 2005. The consultation process enabled anyone to submit their responses to a set of questions related to the Paper. More than 280 people registered for the on-line consultation process; approximately 600 individual comments were submitted. The results of the process were made available on March 10, 2005.
For a copy of the Paper, click here.
To access the results of the on-line consultation, click here.
Steering Group Meeting
To help define the focus of GDNP's second phase, which began in September 2005, Meridian convened a Steering Group (SG) on 22-23 June 2005 in London. Twenty people living and working in both developed and developing countries participated in the meeting. During the SG meeting, Meridian sought input on the strategic direction for the GDNP, especially the precise focus of the multi-stakeholder dialogue processes that will be the primary focus during the second phase of the GDNP. In the meeting summary, which is available by clicking here, Meridian describes the outcome of the Steering Group meeting as well as the next steps Meridian intends to pursue.
Steering Group Meeting Summary
Participants
For each activity, Meridian Institute is engaging a diverse group of stakeholders with relevant expertise and experience. Some participants, for example, have experience in fields encompassed by the terms nanoscience and nanotechnology, such as materials science, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Other participants have experience with technology introduction, poverty reduction and development issues. Relevant disciplines are included in meetings on specific substantive topics such clean water in developing countries, risk assessment and risk management, regulation, IP and licensing, etc. In doing so, Meridian is seeking a balance among different types of organizations, including industry, government, academia and NGOs, from both developed and developing countries.
Sponsors
The Rockefeller Foundation (US), International Development Research Centre (Canada), and Department for International Development (UK) are providing financial support for the GDNP. Other institutions have been approached for additional support.
For more information about the GDNP, contact:
Michael T. Lesnick, Senior Partner, Meridian Institute
E-mail: mlesnick@merid.org; Phone: +1 615 353 0854
Todd F. Barker, Partner, Meridian Institute
E-mail: tbarker@merid.org; Phone: +1 802 899 2625
Project Team
