Since 2014, every year, the non-profit association Investing In People with the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Professional Education and the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology organize The Week of Science and Technologies in Kinshasa, D. R. Congo. This event was created in order to develop a culture of science and technology among young people and girls in particular, to promote knowledge and know-how in these fields, and to encourage vocations. It is structured in four activities - scientific animations, conferences, exhibitions and a national competition. The event is open to elementary and high school students, graduate students and academics, as well as the general public.

https://www.semainedelasciencerdc.org

• Africa

• Women

Each person should have the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in order to understand, participate actively in, and benefit fully from, the Information Society and the knowledge economy. Literacy and universal primary education are key factors for building a fully inclusive information society, paying particular attention to the special needs of girls and women. Given the wide range of ICT and information specialists required at all levels, building institutional capacity deserves special attention. Continuous and adult education, re-training, life-long learning, distance-learning and other special services, such as telemedicine, can make an essential contribution to employability and help people benefit from the new opportunities offered by ICTs for traditional jobs, self-employment and new professions. Awareness and literacy in ICTs are an essential foundation in this regard. To achieve a sustainable development of the Information Society, national capability in ICT research and development should be enhanced. Furthermore, partnerships, in particular between and among developed and developing countries, including countries with economies in transition, in research and development, technology transfer, manufacturing and utilization of ICT products and services are crucial for promoting capacity building and global participation in the Information Society. The manufacture of ICTs presents a significant opportunity for creation of wealth. The attainment of our shared aspirations, in particular for developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to become fully-fledged members of the Information Society, and their positive integration into the knowledge economy, depends largely on increased capacity building in the areas of education, technology know-how and access to information, which are major factors in determining development and competitiveness.