Bridging gaps between theory and practice is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, public policies are the formal means for landing obligations embeded in legal frameworks, as well as those voluntary commitments from different sources at the national and international level. Policies allow the cohesion and articulation of strategies to undertake concrete actions with impact on the collective welfare. In this regard, capacity building on policymaking is needed to lead the way towards positive results, bearing in mind that neither national circumstances nor knowledge are static and could always be strengthened.
Given this background, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) developed the e-learning course on Policymaking: Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development. The development of this tool is part of the project “Global Initiative towards post-Covid-19 resurgence of the MSME sector” financed by the UN Development Account and implemented by UNCTAD in cooperation with the UN Regional Commissions and DESA. The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity and resilience of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries and economies in transition, to mitigate the economic and social impact of the global Covid-19 crisis. It is part of the UN Framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19[1].
Objective
As the governments of South Africa, Uganda and Seychelles are developing National Entrepreneurship Strategies (NES), this virtual session aims to promote a better understanding of the importance of facilitating entrepreneurship for sustainable development. It will highlight the different policy objectives of these three countries and the contribution of entrepreneurship strategies to these objectives. Indeed, the NES of South Africa focuses on Youth Entrepreneurship, the NES of Uganda on migrant and refugee entrepreneurs and the NES of Seychelles on marine biotechnology sector.
As entrepreneurship policy requires a transversal and whole-of-government approach, the session will also highlights in particular how the use of e-learning tools, such as the e-learning course on “Policymaking: Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development” can be beneficial to inform and build-capacity of public officials on entrepreneurship policy in different ministries. As such, it will underline how it can be used to foster inter-ministerial collaboration.
Format
The virtual session will be conducted as a Davos-style panel discussion, facilitated by a moderator and involving a group of panelists, with a time dedicated for discussion with the audience.
During the session, representatives of South Africa, Uganda and Seychelles will discuss the development of their respective entrepreneurship strategies and share the lessons learned. They will discuss in particular three issues related to strategy development:
- How important is it to contextualize entrepreneurship development?
- How issues related to COVID-19 are integrated in the respective framework of Uganda, South Africa and Seychelles?
- How important is it to promote a participatory process and strengthen inter-ministerial linkages in the development of entrepreneurship strategies?
- How useful is the use of e-learning courses to foster inter-ministerial linkages?
Programme
Moderator : Mr. Alex Meija, Director, Division for People and Social Inclusion, UNITAR
I. Introduction : Mr. Richard Bolwijn, Head, Investment Research Branch, Division on Investment and Enterprise, UNCTAD
II. Panelists
- Mr. Joshua Mutambi, Commissioner, Directorate of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Republic of Uganda
- Ms. Pulane Masebe, Manager, Department of Small Business Development, Republic of South Africa
- Mr. Michael Nalletamby, Principal Secretary, Department of Entrepreneurship, Republic of Seychelles
III. Questions and Answers
