- Ethiopian is due host "Science with Africa" conference that seeks to promote and enhance the role of science and technology in the continent's development.
The event, which will be jointly organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Intelligence in Science (ISC), is scheduled to take place from 3 to 7 March.
It symbolizes a joint effort between Africa and its partners in the promotion and consolidation of "strategic research" development.
In a statement, the organisers said the timeliness of the ‘Science with Africa’ initiative is evidenced by the EU-Africa Summit’s adoption of a renewed strategic partnership, including a chapter on Science, Information Society and Space.
This chapter emphasizes the priority to strengthen cooperation on science and technology programs and to promote the application of the two to achieve specific Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as promote the participation of the African research community into European programs.
Organised under the theme "science and innovation policy," the conference will examine methodologies for improving science program participation by scientists and researchers in African nations.
Speakers will include senior policy makers from Africa and else where, eminent scientist, research project managers, among others.
The Addis Ababa conference is a follow-up to the January 2007 summit meeting of heads of African states in which leaders declared 2007 the year of science and technology and strongly urged all member countries to allocate 1% of their gross domestic product to R&D by 2020.
“For Africa to accelerate its development and achieve the Millennium Development Goals, African countries have to scale up their investments in Science and Technology,” Abdoulie Janneh, UN ECA Executive Secretary, was quoted as saying.
A congressional briefing is scheduled on 8 February in Washington to further raise awareness of the ‘Science with Africa’ initiative on the global arena.
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