Science, space and IT prioritised at Africa-EU summit
Enhancing science and technology (S&T) capacity and cooperation on space technology were named priority actions at the Africa-EU summit in Lisbon, Portugal, on 8 and 9 December, along with bridging the digital divide. The objective in S&T is to bridge the scientific divide. This will be achieved by strengthening African capacities. Ultimately, S&T will then be used as a tool for poverty reduction, growth and socio-economic development. Leaders from the EU and Africa agreed on a five indicators that will show when these objectives have been achieved. Africa will have a stronger S&T base; more scientists, technicians and engineers; and improved infrastructure and R&D. The mainstreaming of S&T into programmes and projects, and stronger African Union (AU)-EU cooperation on S&T programmes are also expected as outcomes. The starting place for this closer collaboration is the implementation of the 'Addis Ababa Declaration on Science and Technology for Development in Africa', signed during 2007. Both sides also agreed to promote integrated health research strategies and improve national capacities in areas such as: health management information systems, epidemiological surveys, and clinical and operational research. Both the EU and the AU will also seek to identify innovative ways and means of financing science and technology in Africa. Pledges were also made to develop harmonised S&T policies in Africa, to reinforce the S&T dimension in education and training, and to promote the exchange of good practices of cooperation in S&T at regional and international levels. Within Africa, institutional and policy arrangements will be assessed with the aim of enabling African countries to mobilise and share their scare resources. European-African cooperation will be enhanced through promoting the participation of the African research community in the EU's research programmes, and through twinning of African and European actors. On space, EU and African leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the use of sustainable and affordable space applications and technology in order to support Africa's sustainable development objectives. The expected outcomes are: 'space-related issues fully integrated in specific dialogues and cooperation initiatives in areas such as environment and resource management, climate change, peace and security; 'Specific projects based on space technologies to achieve regional and global development goals.' Actions will focus on managing natural resources, improving living conditions and promoting sustainable development in telecommunications, monitoring the environment, navigation, humanitarian aid operations and building a knowledge-based society. The information technology component of the partnership addresses the establishment of an inclusive information society in Africa. To assist this process, the EU will complement investments made in physical infrastructures. The Partnership will also create the right conditions for public-private links, ensure coherence between the two continents and increase the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) applications in Africa. Other activities address human resource development, high speed networks, regulatory frameworks, telemedicine and early warning systems, plus regular dialogue. The onus is now on the EU, the AU, the member countries of both and international organisations to ensure that these goals are pursued in a speedy and effective manner.