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Project Lead: Todd Barker
Project Contact: Todd Barker
Contact Email:
tbarker@merid.org
Project URL: http://www.merid.org/nano
Nanotechnology, which encompasses a broad range of tools, techniques, and applications, is 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.
With support from The Rockefeller Foundation (US), International Development Research Centre (Canada), and UK Department for International Development, Meridian Institute has convened the Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks in order to:
- Raise awareness about the implications of nanotechnology for the poor;
- Catalyze actions that address specific opportunities and risks, especially those of significance to developing countries; and
- Identify ways that science and technology can play an appropriate role in the development process.
Past Activities (May 2004 - August 2005)
During the first phase of the GDNP (May 2004 - August 2005), the project focused primarily on the goal of raising awareness about the implications of nanotechnology for the poor. Meridian used several strategies for accomplishing these objectives.
Paper on Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks
Meridian Institute released a paper in January 2005 to raise awareness about the implications of nanotechnology for poor people, both the potential opportunities and risks. The paper, subtitled, "Closing the Gaps Within and Between Sectors of Society," is available for download.
Paper
Paper - No Pictures
Online Consultation
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 300 people registered for the on-line consultation process; approximately 600 individual comments were submitted. A summary document of the comments is available by clicking on the link above.
Participation in Meetings and Conferences
See "Projects and Conferences" in center column of Meridian’s Nanotechnology Portal
Steering Group Meeting
In addition to conducting one-on-one consultations with numerous individuals, Meridian convened a Steering Group (SG) on 22-23 June 2005 in London to help define the focus of GDNP’s second phase, which began in September 2005. 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.
Current and Upcoming GDNP Activities
Nanotechnology and Development News (NDN)
Nanotechnology and Development News is a free daily news service covering the most important global developments at the nexus of nanotechnology, poverty alleviation, and the role of science and technology in development. Nanotechnology and Development News draws information from a diverse range of sources on scientific innovations and technological applications; policy issues; risk-related information; intellectual property rights and access to data; technology transfer and capacity building; global and regional networks; and economic development.conomic development.
Paper on Nanotechnology, Water, and Development
Nanotechnology for water purification has been identified as a high priority area because water treatment devices that incorporate nanoscale materials are already available and human development needs for clean water are pressing. This paper describes:
- How lack of access to clean water and sanitation is affecting millions of people;
- Explores the broad range of issues people confront when implementing projects for improving access to clean water;
- Identifies specific water treatment devices that incorporate nanotechnology; and,
- Discusses the potential opportunities, risks, and other issues associated with these technologies
Workshop on Nanotechnology, Water, and Development
Access to clean water is of paramount concern from a human development perspective. In publications and at meetings of the past several years, people have repeatedly mentioned the promise of nanotechnology applications to contribute new or improved solutions that meet human development needs. Nano-science and technology are already being used to remove contaminants from drinking water and increase the availability of fresh water.
Meridian Institute convened the International Workshop on Nanotechnology, Water, and Development 10-12 October 2006 in Chennai, India to address the potential opportunities and risks of nanotechnology water purification technologies for developing countries and to develop recommendations and identify activities that will inform decisions and catalyze actions by stakeholders (e.g., water experts, development experts, governments, NGOs, companies, universities, international institutions, donors) involved with (a) nanotechnology research and development efforts relevant to providing clean water in developing countries and (b) activities to address potential environmental, health, safety, socio-economic, and other issues related to the use of nanotechnology in water treatment devices.
For more information, please contact nano@merid.org.
Workshop on Nanotechnology, Commodities, and Development
On 29 - 31 May 2007, Meridian convened a meeting on nanotechnology, commodities, and development. Nanotechnology is predicted to decrease demand for some commodities, while potentially increasing demand for other commodities.
The term "commodities" usually refers to undifferentiated, widely traded raw materials and agricultural products that are traded principally on the basis of price. Ninety-five of the 141 developing countries derive at least 50 per cent of their export earnings from commodities. Nanotechnology applications are being developed that could impact global demand for agricultural, mineral, and other non-fuel commodities. Some applications of nanotechnology could increase global demand, while others could lead to a decrease in demand for specific commodities.
The International Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Nanotechnology, Commodities, and Development was convened to:
- Examine nanotechnology applications that are effecting or may effect demand for agricultural and mineral commodities;
- Identify mechanisms to anticipate, measure, analyze, and address the impact of nanotechnology applications on commodity-dependent developing countries; and
- Catalyze actions that could proactively address potential opportunities and risks associated with shifting demand for commodities resulting from nanotechnology research and development.
Critical Connections Group
Meridian has convened a multi-stakeholder global-level group, the Critical Connections Group (CCG), to focus on "cross-cutting issues." The CCG will provide a mechanism for leaders with diverse perspectives to look across and discuss the broad range of activities being undertaken by the GDNP and other organizations, focusing in particular on linkages and synergy among activities, lessons learned, and identification of gaps in research and dialogue. Such dialogue could, for example, focus on cross-cutting topics such as governance issues, which may be similar across sectors where nanoscience is being applied (e.g., water, energy, health, agriculture).
For more information, please contact nano@merid.org.
India and Andean Region
In addition, the GDNP is building linkages with national activities in India and regional activities in the Andean region.
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.
Team Members:
Shawn Walker
Rex Raimond
Tim Mealey
Michael Lesnick
Monique Gilbert
Todd Barker
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