Professor Anthony Clayton, UWI Mona’s Alcan Professor of Caribbean Sustainable Development, was invited by the Government of South Africa to give a keynote presentation in an International High Level Forum held in Johannesburg last week. Professor Clayton’s presentation was designed to determine a new role and mandate for the Commonwealth Science Council. The Forum focused on the role of science and technology in development; on the strategies needed to encourage innovation; and on the transfer of skills, technology and capital. Professor Clayton is one of a small group of professionals and academics around the world whose work has identified and emphasized the crucial role that science and technology play in national development. After his presentation in the High Level Forum, Professor Clayton stayed in Johannesburg to address the ministers responsible for science and technology in the Commonwealth, to explain his Foresighting for Development, or F4D Model. The F4D Model, developed by an international team led by Professor Clayton, is designed to help countries assess the important factors in their internal and external environment, identify areas of potential competitive advantage and plan strategies for national development. A number of agencies – including the Commonwealth Science Council and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation – now think that the F4D Model can provide the necessary focus for their strategies to help countries strengthen their ability to innovate and compete.