26 September 2007
Leading African space scientists gather for the second African Leadership
Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development under
the theme 'Building African partnerships in space.'
All media are invited to attend.
Details of the event:
Date: 2 to 5 October 2007
Time: 09h00
Venue: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International
Convention Centre, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria
Exactly 50 years since the first successful made-man satellite (Sputnik1)
was launched into orbit, African space professionals are gathering to
deliberate the role of space science and technology in Africa's
development.
Science and Technology Minister, Mosibudi Mangena will deliver a keynote
address during the opening session of the four-day conference on 2 October
2007.
The emphasis of the conference will be on knowledge and skills development
through capacity building, knowledge sharing, joint participation in mutually
beneficial projects, and bilateral and international co-operation.
The conference will furthermore:
* provide a forum for the exchange of ideas on how space technology could
address Africa's development challenges and contribute to its development
agenda
* identify opportunities for co-operation in the use of space technology for
the development and benefit of Africa
* identify common capacity-building requirements and co-operative means to
address such needs
* sensitise African countries to be pro-active in the implementation of the
Third United Nations conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space (Unispace III) recommendations
* seek ways to enhance Africa's participation in global space forums, such as
Group on earth Observation (GEO), Committee on Earth Observation Satellite
(CEOS) and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(COPUOS).
A series of non-technical, high-level presentations aimed at policy and
decision making on the role and benefits of space technology for development in
Africa will be presented.
Participants will also visit nearby space-related research facilities such
as the Satellite Applications Centre and Hartebeeshoek Radio Astronomy.
The first African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for
Sustainable Development was held in Abuja, Nigeria in November 2005.
For reservations:
Zama Mthethwa
Tel: 012 843 6781
Cell: 082 808 3956
E-mail: zama.mthethwa@dst.gov.za
For media enquiries contact:
Celeste Tema
Deputy Director: Communication and Media Liaison
Cell: 083 399 0765
E-mail: celeste.tema@dst.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
26 September 2007
