November (2008)

Contents

26 November 2008 - New Project to Strengthen Africa's Research Capacity

The governments of Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom with the Wellcome Trust and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have announced plans to fund a new project - Essence - aimed at building research capacity in Africa, Research Africa: In Brief reported earlier this week. The organisation is expected to be based in Geneva, Switzerland.

25 November 2008 - ACP S&T Programme Call for Proposals

A call for proposals for the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States ACP science and technology programme has been released on the CORDIS website. The ACP call is funded from the EU's European Development Fund and administered by the ACP secretariat. The deadline for submission of proposals is 13 March 2009. To link to the relevant information and documentation click here.

25 November 2008 - Bamako Call to Action

The Bamako Call to Action, supported by various ministries and ministers from 62 countries, was released at the 2008 Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health earlier this month after a long period of evolution. The document recognises the value of research and innovation in tackling global health problems. To download the Bamako Call to Action click here.

24 November 2008 - Knowledge Management Africa Conference

"Knowledge to Reposition Africa in the Global Economy" is the title of next year's Knowledge Managment Africa conference to be held in Dakar, Senegal, in May. To download the call for papers click here or, to visit KMA's website click here.

20 November 2008 - Coverage of the Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health

SciDev.net, the online science and development news agency, have published extensive coverage of the Global Ministerial Forum for Research on Health held this year in Bamako, Mali, between 17 and 19 November. To go direct to a list of related stories click here.

19 November 2008 - CROSCOG Conference to Be Hosted in Cape Town Next Year

The Cross Sectoral Commons Governance in South Africa (CROSCOG), an FP6 project, is hosting its regional meeting of the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) between 20 and 22 January 2009. Keynote speakers will include Dr. Monde Mayekiso, Deputy Director General of the Marine and Coastal Management, South Africa, Portia Segomelo, Deputy Director of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, as well as Dr. Ruth Meizin-Dick who will deliver the IASC presidential address. To download the call for papers click here. Or to go to the CROSCOG website click here.

18 November 2008 - Global Financial Crisis a Period of Opportunity

On 17 November, South Africa's science minister, Mosibudi Mangena, delivered the keynote address at the second biennial conference of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, South Africa. According to Engineering News, Mangena is reported to have told delegates that the global financial crisis would be a period of opportunity for scientific, technological and innovation communities. To read to the full article - click here.

18 November 2008 - HIV/Aids, Malaria, Tuberculosis Conference

Between 13 and 14 November, the European Commission hosted the International Conference on Poverty- Related Diseases. Approximately 450 experts and others attended, with EC Commissioner Janez Potocnik opening the gathering. According to a report published by CORDIS, Potocnik advocated the necessity of collective effort and action in combating the "big three" diseases - HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis. For additional reporting on the conference, click here.

17 November 2008 - 1st Pan-African University to Be Up and Running by October 2009

Will the first continental pan-African university open its doors to students come October 2009? This is the plan, according a recent story by a Research Africa In Brief reporter, who spoke to officials from the African Union. Although still in its planning phase, the university is aimed at bolstering the continents efforts to grow its tertiary education capacities. The five thematic areas the university will focus on include: science, technology and innovation; water and energy; life and earth science; space sciences; and governance.

14 November 2008 - South Africa's Department of S&T to Host INCONTACT workshop

The DST is hosting the Trans-National Cooperation among NCPs for International Cooperation (INCONTACT) workshop on 1 and 2 December 2008. The workshop's main objectives are to build African regional capacity for FP7 participation and provide a networking platform for both African National Information Points and EU National Contact Points. For more information, download the workshop's brochure - click here.

14 November 2008 - IST-Africa Deadline Extended

The call for papers deadline for the IST-Africa conference to be held in 2009 has been extended to 28 November 2008, from the original deadline of 9 November. Interested parties are asked to format papers using the required template and to submit completed papers online. For more information, download the call for papers - click here.

13 November 2008 - European Commission to Host International ICT Conference

On 22 and 23 January 2009, 20 high-level speakers, including Immanuel Wallerstein and Vittorio Prodi, will address delegates at the European Commission-hosted ICT for a Global Sustainable Future conference. An expected 400 participants will discuss ways in which ICT can contribute to building integrated models for sustainable social, industrial, economic and environmental development. For more information, visit the conference website - click here.

12 November 2008 - African ICT Week

The African Union's African ICT Week is scheduled to take place from 17 to 23 November 2008. The theme for this year is "ICTs to Promote African Positive Values for Youth."

12 November 2008 - A Day for Science, A Day for African Universities

As UNESCO celebrates its World Science Day for Peace and Development in Mexico City, African universities across the continent celebrate African University Day on 12 November 2008. This year's theme is the Role of Higher Education in Promoting Sustainable Development.

12 November 2008 - UNESCO Commemorates Science for Peace and Development

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation celebrated its 7th World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD) on 10 November 2008. According to UNESCO, the WSDPD "is an occasion to recall UNESCO's mandate and commitment to science." Official celebrations are being held in Mexico City between 10 and 13 November to coincide with the 25th Anniversary of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS).

6 November 2008 - NSTF Host Networking Workshop for Science, Technology and Engineering

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) are hosting a networking workshop on 14 November 2008 in Pretoria, South Africa. The aim of the workshop is to allow individuals, organisations and institutions to develop links, and to find ways to foster greater international collaboration. For more information, click here.

6 November 2008 - NEPAD e-Africa Commission Ministerial and Executive Committee Meetings

On 3 and 4 November the NEPAD e-Africa Commission opened its 10th meeting of the Executive Committee in Johannesburg. For the provisional programme click here. On 6 and 7 November, the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Commission will be convened. A provisional programme is available - click here. The meetings are purposed to review NEPAD priority projects, and to discuss NEPAD implementation strategy.

6 November 2008 - ICT Event 2008 in Lyon 25-27 November 2008

Formerly known as the "IST Event", this year's biennial ICT Event is being held in Lyon, France, toward the end of November. This is a premier event in the European ICT calendar for discussions on research and public policy. For more information click here.

6 November 2008 - EU Announces Dates for 2009 Sustainable Development Conference

Sustainable Development: A Challenge for European Research - this is the title of the European Union's FP7 2009 conference to be held between 26 and 28 May. The aim of the conference is to explore ways of achieving sustainable development through European research programmes. For more information click here.