eI-Africa is an EU/FP7 project spanning over 18 months (Oct. 2009 – March 2011) with the aim of strengthening cooperation on e-Infrastructures between Europe & Africa. EuroAfrica-ICT is an EU/FP7 project spanning over 24 months (2010-2011) with the aim of strengthening cooperation on ICT research between Europe & (sub-Sarahan) Africa.

Those projects have the strategic objectives to promote and enhance ICT research cooperation between the 2 continents and to promote European e-Infrastructures developments and exploitation in Africa thanks to,  among other things, the organisation of important conferences filled with discussions and debates, networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing among key stakeholders in the field and policymakers coming from all over Europe and Africa. Co-locating those two events thus definitely make sense.

The Conference (to be held in Helsinki, Finland, the week of Dec. 6-10, 2010) will be organised by the two projects under the aegis of the European Commission (DG INFSO, International Relations Unit + GEANT & e-Infrastructures Unit) and with the support of the Finnish Government (Ministry for Foreign Affairs) and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

About 300 key stakeholders in the field coming from all over Europe and Africa are expected to attend the Conference (Policymakers | Senior representatives from governments | Representatives from international development cooperation agencies | ICT project managers | Programme managers | Heads of research labs | Researchers | IT engineers | Deans, directors, lecturers and researchers from universities and the higher education sector | Managers of NGOs, professional associations, centres of excellence, trade unions, chambers of commerce, etc. | Industry stakeholders | etc.). This Conference will be designed to anyone with an interest in the field.

For all parties involved in the field the Conference will be a unique opportunity to expand ones knowledge and network:
· Keep up to date with all the major issues, latest developments and trends in the field!
· Meet with your worldwide peers and debate/discuss best practices!
· Examine the key components of effective developments and applications!
· Hear about success stories and case studies presenting innovative approaches and strategies!
· Find out how to increase the visibility and impact of your projects/programmes!
· Meet and benefit from valuable opinions and experience of acknowledged experts in the field as well as high-level policymakers!
· And many more benefits!

More details coming soon. Stay tuned!