News
- The IAP International Symposium on Groundwater Sustainability (ISGWAS) was organized as part of the IAP-Water Programme for the period 2004-2006. The results of the symposium, presented at the 4th World Water Forum from 16-22 March 2006, Mexico City, are now available. See here for the report.
- Representatives from the 13 academies that comprise the Network of African Science Academies(NASAC) visited the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in Amsterdam from 29 January - 6 February 2006.
KNAW organized the event as part of a larger effort to promote science and technology (S&T) capacity in Africa. The initiative parallels and complements IAP’s capacity building programme headed by the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS). Specifically, the NASAC visit sought to:
strengthen African academies through in-depth discussions about KNAW activities and modes of operation, promote an exchange of information about African and Dutch science and science policy systems, and facilitate networking opportunities; and provide KNAW with an opportunity to learn about the capacity building needs of African academies and to discuss ideas for future KNAW capacity building activities with colleagues from Africa.
The programme focused on five scientific fields – agriculture, energy, health sciences, social sciences and water – and five areas of policy - foresight, evaluation, S&T education and training, science expertise and advice in public policy making. The visitors were also introduced to KNAW's administrative procedures.
A special feature of the visit was a trip to Brussels for a one-day programme organized by the Department of International Cooperation (INCO), Directorate General for Research of the European Commission. There, visitors were introduced to the S&T policy of the European Union and funding opportunities for African researchers.