Technology
18 September 2007
Space technology is an indispensable tool for the development of Africa. It
is for this reason that a growing number of countries in Africa are
implementing national space programmes with a strong developmental focus.
Introduction
Since many of Africa's development challenges transcend national, cultural
and linguistic differences, the collective impact of these national space
programmes can be greatly enhanced through collaboration.
It is against this background that the 2nd African Leadership Conference on
Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development will focus on the
theme 'Building African partnerships in space'.
This conference builds on the first African Leadership Conference on Space
Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, held in Abuja, Nigeria,
from 23 to 25 November 2005.
This 2007 conference will deliberate on the role of space science and
technology in Africa's present and future development, with emphasis on
knowledge and skills development, knowledge sharing, and bilateral and
international cooperation.
Intended audience
The conference is aimed at chief executives of space-related programmes in
Africa, senior government officials, diplomatic representatives and decision
makers, academics, industry representatives and members of professional and
civil society organisations concerned with Africa's development, with emphasis
on space technology. It will also provide an opportunity for professionals to
engage with experts from a variety of disciplines relating to developmental
issues.
Objectives and outcomes
The conference has the following main objectives:
* to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas on the impact space technology
could have in contributing to Africa's development
* to identify opportunities for co-operation in space technology
* to identify common capacity-building requirements and co-operative means to
address such needs
* to sensitise African countries to be pro-active in the implementation of
United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(Unispace III) recommendations
* to seeks ways to enhance Africa's participation in global space forums, such
as Global Environment Outlook (GEO), Committee of Earth Observation Satellite
(CEOS) and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(COPUOS)
* to identify a series of concrete follow-up actions and projects to be
conducted during the inter-sessional periods of the conference.
Programme
The conference will comprise three days of presentations and working
sessions, followed by a day of optional visits to nearby space-related
facilities. The conference's programme will include a series of non-technical,
high-level presentations aimed at policy and decision makers on the role and
benefits of space technology for Africa's development. Parallel sessions will
consider a small number of topics in greater detail, including:
* practical measures that may be taken to build up the African Leadership
Conference through inter-sessional activities, with emphasis on raising
awareness at all levels,
* the implementation of the UN space-based platform for disaster and emergency
response (Spider) in the various African regions,
* co-operation in Earth observation in the framework of the African Resource
Management satellite constellation project,
* earth observation for monitoring global climate change effects in
Africa,
* capacity development.
It is intended that specific follow-up projects will be identified for
co-operation in the period leading up to the next conference in 2009.
In addition, sufficient time will be set aside for participants to make
presentations on their relevant activities and identify possible priority areas
for follow-up, as well as examine partnerships that could be established or
strengthened.
Dates and Location
The conference will be held in Pretoria, South Africa at the Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Convention Centre from 2 to 4 October
2007. Interested participants will be able to visit space-related facilities in
the region on 5 October. All selected and invited participants will receive an
information package with details on travel, lodging and other local
arrangements.
Language of the conference
Participants must have a good working knowledge of English, which will be
the only language of the Conference.
Participation costs
* no conference registration fees will be charged. The direct costs of
hosting the conference will be borne by South Africa
* participants will bear their own air travel, visa, accommodation and
subsistence costs
* participants will be responsible for making their own accommodation
arrangements. A list of recommended hotels and hotel rates will nevertheless be
made available.
Visa requirements
All participants must adhere to visa requirements of the Republic of South
Africa, the details of which may be obtained from South African Missions in
their respective countries. The conference Secretariat will gladly assist those
interested to obtain the contact details of the relevant South African
Missions.
Presentations and proceedings
* invited presentations will be allotted 30 minutes (including questions)
while those contributed will be allotted 20 minutes (including questions)
* presentations will be made available on the conference website
* selected and invited participants will receive detailed instructions for the
preparation of their papers for publication
* participants will be encouraged to contribute actively to the preparation of
conclusions and recommendations of the conference, which will be distributed
widely and also published in the proceedings
* selected applicants may also be asked to act as session raporteurs or
chairpersons.
Contact name:
M Kumalo
E-mail: secretariat@space.gov.za
Tel: 021 460 9357
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
18 September 2007
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
