The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology hosted successful back-to-back workshops in Manila on June 8-10, 2016 and in Tagaytay City on June 15-16, 2016. The two workshops are part of the Philippine commitment to support the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) initiatives toward innovation driven development to promote regional science and technology collaboration. Cross-fora cooperation and coordination for Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) is likewise given importance.
The first workshop on Commercialization and Popularization of Research and Market-based Innovations through Policy Translation was attended by 9 member economies. This included Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, PR of China, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Thailand, The United States of America and the Philippines. Held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, selected delegates walked through the process of policy translation guided by invited expert resources speakers from the different economies.
The sharing of experiences on policy translation by APEC member economies widened the horizon of the delegates and opened their eyes on how different economies go through the process of policy translation out of the outcomes of the activities of the PPSTI.
The Philippine initiative on evidenced based policy making was a big leap for PPSTI to show that significant scientific and technological advances can move beyond written publications to policy statements/options and recommendations which could be adopted and endorsed by our APEC Leaders towards growth and development. On the last day, a draft policy statement was presented and reviewed by the group as initial output of the workshop.
The second workshop on Strategies to Address Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) through S&T and Innovation: Nutrigenomics Approach was attended by 10 member economies. Among those present were Indonesia, Japan, Canada, Chile, PR of China, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, The United States of America and the Philippines.
Held at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, the workshop aimed to create a framework of collaboration and information sharing on best practices in Nutrigenomics. The workshop arose from the recognition that APEC, in particular the PPSTI can be an avenue showing how scientific breakthroughs like Nutrigenomics can be a game changer in the innovative fusion of health, nutrition, science, trade, business and investments.
The APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) supports the development of science and technology cooperation and effective innovation policy in APEC economies. It serves as APEC’s primary forum to engage government, private sector and academia in joint scientific research.
Its strategic aim is to enhance economic growth, trade and investment opportunities, as well as social progress, in harmony with sustainability. The PPSTI will seek to develop an enabling environment for market-based innovation policy that supports commercialization, promotes innovation capacity, and facilitates cooperation among APEC members.
Among other activities, the PPSTI works to:
- Develop science, research and technology cooperation
- Build human capacity
- Support infrastructure for commercialization of ideas
- Develop innovation policy frameworks
- Foster an enabling environment for innovation.
