part 1 - EuroAfrica-ICT

In 2005, the African Union adopted Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) following extensivecontinent-wide consultations. The CPA emphasises the development of Africa’s research and technological innovationthrough Networks of Excellence Centres and capacity building programmes.Improvements of human well-being today depend crucially on knowledge — its production, distribution, ownership andwise application. Research carried out domestically and internationally is vitally important for the generation of knowledgethat a country can use for its development. International scientific and technological cooperation is a cornerstone for thetransition to sustainability in today’s context of accelerating technological development and global interdependence.The 8th Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space agreed at the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon in December2007 is, therefore, a very important milestone for both sides. We realise that much can and must be done, requiringstrong political commitment among African countries to build up their science and technology (S&T) capacities and usethe results already available. This must be supported by strong international cooperation.Fortunately, we have a long and positive track record of scientific cooperation with African teams from across the continentmobilising local scientists and helping to strengthen the local RTD potential, thus promoting excellence from both regions.Since the early times of European Community research, collaboration with Africa has been a centrepiece for internationalS&T cooperation and has grown steadily in scope and financial resources.This catalogue documents the part of recent achievements under the Specific International S&T Cooperation Programme(INCO) of the 6th Research Framework Programme (2002–2006). Europe’s present strategic partnership with Africa inS&T can draw on the competence and knowledge mobilised during this and earlier programmes. We need to ensure thatthe investment into these forms of international cooperation bear fruit for the sustainable development of both sides.José Manuel Silva RodríguezDirector General for ResearchFOREWORD