The 4^th AERAP Africa-Europe Science Collaboration Forum

The 4^th AERAP Africa-Europe Science Collaboration Forum, set to take place from April 22 to 24, 2024, embodies the spirit of the European Union’s Science and Development agendas and the collaborative ethos of the Team Europe initiative. This Forum is poised to serve as a dynamic platform, emphasising the critical role of science and digital innovation in shaping EU policies towards Africa and placing African scientific leadership at the centre of these, mirroring the synergistic approach that Team Europe champions. By fostering deeper engagements with policymakers and amplifying the impacts of scientific endeavours, the Forum seeks to enhance the inclusion of African stakeholders with European counterparts through strategic collaborations in science and innovation.

The Forum’s core objective is leveraging digital technologies to extend the scope of scientific collaboration and ensure inclusive participation across Africa. The agenda includes discussions on significant policy frameworks and strategic plans, such as the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, the AUC Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030), the EU Comprehensive Strategy with Africa, and key programmes and instruments, including Horizon Europe, FP10 and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). These dialogues aim to bolster sustainable development, healthcare, biodiversity, and digital advancements, resonating with the collaborative and unified approach foundational to Team Europe.

The Forum’s alignment with the broader EU Development Agenda underscores a commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa, aligning with global development goals and the UN SDGs. It will explore various topics, from Astronomy to ICT and Environmental Sustainability, emphasising the intersection of science, education, and digital innovation funding. This comprehensive coverage will facilitate crucial policy insights, enhancing the Forum’s contribution to the Africa-EU partnership.

Moreover, the Forum will explore the implications of new regulatory measures in areas like AI, data protection and medical device governance, reflecting on their impact on Africa’s scientific landscape and collaborative ventures with the EU. By integrating viewpoints from global organisations such as the UN, the Forum aims to provide a holistic perspective on science, ensuring alignment with the global development agenda and reinforcing the EU’s commitment to working collaboratively for greater impact and effectiveness in international cooperation and development.

Programme

Monday, 22 April 2024

Location: Embassy of South Africa, Rue Montoyer 19, 1000 Brussels

10h00           Opening Session: The Vision for Africa: Realizing Our Potential through Scientific Advancement

• Eudy Mabuza – Senior Science and Innovation Representative (SSIR) Brussels, South Africa
• Marleen Temmermens – Agha Khan University, Kenya
• Muhammad Sharif – Advisor Science and Technology, Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Morocco
• Lise Korsten – President, African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
• Petronella Chaminuka – Agricultural Research Council, South Africa
• Sampson Mamphweli – Head Energy Secretariat, South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
• Glenda Grey – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
• Declan Kirrane – Africa-Europe Science Collaboration and Innovation Platform (AERAP)

12h00           Session One: Science Capacity Building

• Pawel Swieboda – Open database of neuroscience data, computational models and software tools for researchers, clinicians, scientists and students, NeuroCentury / ICFG / Brain Capital Alliance
• Subhalakshmi Sharma – EU Infrastructure for Promoting Metrology in Food and Nutrition (Metro Food)
• Rizwana Mia – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
• Declan Kirrane – Africa-Europe Science Collaboration and Innovation Platform (AERAP)

13h30           Networking Lunch

15h00           Roundtable with Science Europe

Location: Rue de la Science 14, 1040 Brussels

Hosted by: Lidia Borrell-Damian – Secretary-General, Science Europe

Participants:            

• Eudy Mabuza – Department of Science and Innovation, Brussels, South Africa
• Anita Mnisi – Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa
• Thandi Mgwebi – National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa
• Lise Korsten – African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
• Glenda Grey – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
• Liesl Zuhlke – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
• Rizwana Mia – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
• Muhammad Sharif – Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Morocco
• Marleen Temmermens – Agha Khan Universuty, Kenya
• Sampson Mamphweli – South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
• Lethabo Manamela – South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
• Mapula Mahlangu – South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
• Kamogelo Maaka – South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
• Declan Kirrane – Africa-Europe Science Collaboration and Innovation Platform (AERAP)
• Petronella Chaminuka – Agriculture Research Council (ARC), South Africa

17h30            Conclusion

Tuesday, 23 April 2024

Location: Embassy of South Africa, Rue Montoyer 19, 1000 Brussels

09h00           Session Two: European Research Area (ERA) Forum Subgroup on the Global Approach,

• Eudy Mabuza – Department of Science and Innovation, Brussels, South Africa
• Axel Leisenberg – Subgroup Co-Chair, French Ministry for Higher Education and Research
• Thandi Mgwebi – National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa

10h30           Thematic Session 1: Africa and the EU Global Health Strategy

12h30            Lunch break

14h30            Thematic Session 2: Data and AI Regulation: implications for Africa

• Rose Mosero – Office of the Data Commissioner, Kenya
• Vukosi Marivate – University of Pretoria, South Africa
• Rizwana Mia – South African Medical Research Council
• Brandon Izak Samuel van der Ventel – Stellenbosch University, South Africa
• Osden Jokonya – University of Western Cape, South Africa

16h00           Thematic Session 3: Green Transition: Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Security

• Petronella Chaminuka – Agricultural Research Council, South Africa
• Daniel Adeniyi – European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), Belgium
• Giulia Campodonico – European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), Soil Health Living Labs

17h30            Conclusion

19h00           AERAP Networking Dinner (by invitation only)

Hosted by the South African Embassy and National Research Foundation, South Africa

Wednesday, 24 April 2024

Location: Embassy of South Africa, Rue Montoyer 19, 1000 Brussels

09h00          Thematic Session 4: Connecting the dots: Enabling Africa-Europe collaboration in digital health

• Karolina Mackiewicz – ECH Alliance
• Jean-Marie Habarugira – Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking
• Rizwana Mia – South African Medical Research Council
• Innocent Chiboma – Ministry of Health, Zambia
• Andrzej Dabkowski – Africa-Europe Foundation
• Amit Thakker – Africa Health Business
• Justina Bieliauskaite – European Digital SMEs Association
• Felix Sukums – Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences, Tanzania Health Informatics Association
• Silvi Serreqi – Project Adviser, European Commission
• Artur Serra – i2cat Foundation and European Networks of Living Labs 

10h30            Connecting Global Priorities: How to Build a Sustainable Long-term African-European Partnership for Renewable Energies?

• Sigfried Tivana – Department of Science and Technology, South Africa
• Tanja Woronowicz – DLR Projektträger
• Isayvani Naicker – Director of Evidence and Insights
• Léonard LÉVÊQUE – LGI Sustainable Innovation, EU-project LEAP-RE
• Robert Burmanjer – Senior Advisor on International Research Partnerships, APRE

12h00 Thematic Session 5 (Virtual): Revitalizing Aquatic Biodiversity: Integrating Modern Genetics with Global and Regional Conservation Efforts: DNA and eDNA methods will be used to produce globally standardised DNA-based assessment methods that support the integrated needs of various environmental legislation and international agreements relating to water quality and aquatic biodiversity assessments.

• Declan Kirrane – AERAP
• Albert Chakona – National Research Foundation, South Africa
• Kristian Meissner – Finnish Environment Institute, Syke

13h00           Lunch break

14h00           POLICY PERSPECTIVES – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ROUNDTABLE

14h00           SA’s Decadal Plan, AU Agenda 2063’s “seven moonshots” and cooperation with the EU in addressing global challenges.

• Daan du Toit – Acting Director General, Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), South Africa

14h20          Horizon Europe: What is next for the EU, AU and South Africa partnership beyond 2025?

• Maria Cristina Russo – Director Global Approach and International Cooperation in R&I, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

14h40 Q&A

15h00           Thematic Session 6: Green Transition – Hydrogen Energy and Water Security

• Sampson Mamphweli – South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
• Cristina Trois – Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies
• Jeroen Rijnhart – Centre of Expertise Water Technology, Netherlands
• Busisiwe Ntuli – Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa
• Nikolas Lymperopolous – Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, Belgium

17h00            Conclusion

Thursday, 25 April 2024

Location: Embassy of South Africa, Rue Montoyer 19, 1000 Brussels

09h00          Global Cooperation opportunities

• Katalin Alfoldi – Policy Advisor, COST Association
• Jorge Liz – Operations Manager – Globalstars, Network projects & Corporate Activities, EUREKA Association Secretariat

12h30            Lunch Break

15h00           A Global Perspective: the UN’s Contribution to Science in Africa

• Wei Liu – Technology Facilitation Mechanism, United Nations
• Minerva Novero-Belec – Office for South-South Cooperation, United Nations
• Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary – Coordinator General, COMSTECH

16h30           Conclusion