CONFCAYS 2019 & Sub Regional Training Workshop on Science Advice Science Advice in Africa: Opportunity or illusion

The Cameroon Academy of Young Scientists (CAYS) is a branch of the Cameroon Academy of Science (CAS) aimed at promoting research, paving the way for young scientists, encouraging the development of innovative approaches to national and international challenges. CAYS is a forum for building scientific capacities and the applicability of science to solve problems and provide decision makers and the public with advice based on the most up-to-date scientific knowledge. With support from MINRESI, MINTOUR, MINESUP, CAS, AUF and other partners, CAYS is organizing it first biennial international conference under the theme «Young Scientists: Mainspring of innovation and development in Africa » where scientists have opportunities to present their research results on diverse topics. More and more, scientific advice is spreading the world over to assist policy makers and politicians to make decisions that are informed by evidence-based data and scientific knowledge. It is an opportunity for dialogue that breaks or limits the gaps between researchers in different fields. In Africa and particularly in the Central African Sub-region, the progress of this concept is still lagging behind. Taking cognizance of this, CAYS offers an opportunity, during this conference, of a training workshop on the science advice in collaboration with The Quebec Research Funds (FRQ) and the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA). For the workshop, 65 participants were selected from government institutions and civil society organizations in the Central African Region. A total of 153 abstracts (55 oral and 98 poster presentations) were selected from national and international participants. The said abstracts will be presented in 4 sessions under 3 major themes including 1) Nutrition, Health and Environment; 2) Material Science, ITC and Renewable Energy; and 3) Digital Economy, Peace and Development. These abstracts have been compiled in this abstracts volume.