South Africa

South Africa is one of Africa’s leading scientific nations and is therefore an important cooperation partner for the Leopoldina and for German science. ASSAf plays a significant role in South Africa’s science system and, through its engagement in regional academy networks, is also well connected across the African continent.

The cooperation between the Leopoldina and ASSAf was formalised during the German–South African Year of Science 2012/2013 through a declaration of intent signed in Pretoria and has continued ever since.

The two academies regularly organise symposia and workshops on current topics from a range of disciplines, including health, environment and sustainability. A particular focus of their cooperation is a series of science-for-policy workshops, initially on infectious diseases and currently on climate change and health. This format provides a platform for scientific exchange between established and early-career researchers and can lead to the preparation of science-for-policy reports.

In their joint initiatives, ASSAf and the Leopoldina regularly involve additional African and international partners, for example from Ethiopia, Uganda, Senegal, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as from China and India.

The Leopoldina and ASSAf also work closely together on global issues in networks such as the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and in the context of G20 policy advice.