From Monday, the 14th to 18th of June 2021, Africa-Europe Science and Innovation Summit (AERAP) will be taking place virtually. The summit is intended to enhance science and innovation cooperation between Africa and Europe and build on key policy and programme initiatives to establish a more enabling environment for science and innovation policy codesign, programme cooperation and capacity building.
AERAP is a response to the European Parliament Written Declaration 45 on Science Capacity Building in Africa. This call was repeated by the Heads of State of the African Union through their Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.407 CXVIII. AERAP encourages policymakers to understand the need for an enabling policy and regulatory environment for science cooperation with Africa and championing leadership in Africa and Europe to demonstrate science's contribution to society and address common glocal challenges.
This 2021 Summit will draw on a range of processes, including AGENDA 2063, Africa's blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse; the AU Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024); the European Commission; Communication Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa which foresees future cooperation built on five partnerships: green transition, digital transformation, growth and jobs, peace and governance and migration and mobility. All of these areas will rely on science and innovation cooperation.
There are 59 sessions over the 5 days with the opening plenary session taking place on the Tuesday the 15th, 9:00AM CET.
Speakers include Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, African Union Commission, HE. Dr Ahmedin Mohammed, State Minister and currently acting Minister of Innovation and Technology, Government of Ethiopia, Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President ad interim, European Research Council, Dr. Michael Makanga, Executive Director, European Development Countries Clinical Trails Partnership (EDCTP), Maria cristina Messa, Minister for Universities and Research, Italy among many other high-profile speakers.
Joseph Njogu, the CEO of Research Beeline shall also be presenting in a session on funding opportunities for African universities on Monday 5:00 PM CET.
For more information on the event and register, kindly visit https://africaeuropescience.sched.com
Photo courtesy / AERAP
Article by Research Beeline correspondent
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