partnership
23 November 2007
South Africa's Minister of Science and Technology Mosibudi Mangena and his
European Union counterpart, Commissioner Janez Potocnik, celebrate 10 years of
a successful partnership in science and technology.
All media are invited to attend.
Details of the event:
Date: Thursday, 29 November 2007
Venue: The Cape Milner Hotel, 2a Milner Road, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town
Time: 12h30
Minister Mangena will deliver a keynote address at a celebratory event to
mark the 10th anniversary of an intergovernmental agreement on science and
technology, between South Africa and the European Union. Signed in 1996, the
Agreement on Science and Technology Co-operation afforded South African
researchers the opportunity to participate fully in the EU's Framework
Programmes for Research and Technology Development.
The partnership complemented the longstanding political, economic and
development co-operation ties between the two. The European South Africa
Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP) is a specific support
action implemented by the South African Department of Science and Technology
(DST) and funded by the European Commission (EC).
Through enhanced networking and partnering, scientists and institutions from
the European Union and South Africa jointly explore through Framework
Programmes (FPs) new and emerging scientific and technological areas and needs
and cooperatively seek to resolve major global issues.
These include climate change, energy and HIV and AIDS, with the European
Developing Country Clinical Trial Partnership Programme (EDCTP) African office
based in Cape Town at the Medical Research Council (MRC). The Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) represents South Africa in an
international, multi-partner project, aimed at demonstrating that solar
disinfection (SODIS) of drinking water is an effective, appropriate and
acceptable intervention against waterborne diseases.
The project had been awarded R17,6 million research grant from the EU to
benefit vulnerable communities in developing countries who normally do not have
a reliable, safe water supply, as well as those communities exposed to natural
or man-made disasters.
It is envisaged that the project, under the auspices of the EU Sixth
Framework Programme (FP6), will make a contribution to reducing the number of
fatal casualties, especially among sub-Sahara African children under the age of
five, who fall victim to diarrhoeal diseases as a result of being exposed to
contaminated water.
The Minister will also hand certificates to the South African National
Contact Points. These are researchers who at a technical level advance the
science and technology relationship, effectively translating the agreement into
actual action.
Programme
12h15: Arrival of guests
12h30: Welcoming remarks: Dhesigen Naidoo, Deputy Director-General, Department
of Science and Technology
Starter served
12h45 to 13h05: Keynote remarks by Minister Mosibudi Mangena; Commissioner
Janez Potocnik (including exchange of letters of appreciation)
Main course served
13h35 to 13:45: Presentation "Review of Ten Years of South Africa â European
Union Science and Technology Partnerships" â Mmboneni Muofhe, ESASTAP
co-ordinator
Desert served
14h00: Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to South African
Framework Programme National Contact Points
Coffee
14h20: Closing remarks by Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General, Department of
Science and Technology
RSVP:
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
23 November 2007
