IST-Africa 2014-2015 · IST-Africa Initiative 2014 - 2015

The main objectives of IST-Africa (2014 – 2015) are to· Support implementation of Information Society, ICT and Innovation related aspects of the Africa – EU Strategic Partnership and associated dialogues between the European Commission (EC) and EU Member States with the African Union Commission (AUC), African Member States and other Key Regional Organisations· Foster partnerships between EU and African organizations in collaborative ICT Research and Innovation within Horizon 2020 & other relevant programmes· Strengthen Increased Co-ordination at EU level with Horizon 2020 instruments (such as BILAT, INCO-NET and ERA-NET) as well as relevant EU Member State and Associated Countries Programmes to promote international Cooperation<br/>IST-Africa (2014 – 2015) will achieve these goals by building on IST-Africa's existing relationships, extensive international network, insight, credibility and goodwill to· Strengthen international cooperation by promoting Information Society, ICT and Innovation related research cooperation between African and EU organizations under Horizon 2020 and other relevant programmes· Organise the IST-Africa 2014 and IST-Africa 2015 Conferences in IST-Africa Partner Countries to facilitate international community building, partnership development and knowledge sharing with activities including two IST-Africa international research conferences and two IST-Africa Living Labs Thematic Working Group Meetings· Organise Living Labs Participatory Workshops in IST-Africa Partner Countries to support cross-border knowledge sharing and wider adoption of Living Labs and Open Innovation· Organise Horizon 2020 Training Workshops in IST-Africa Partner Countries to promote African participation and identify/validate national research capacity and priorities· Organise 2 IST-Africa Promotion/Dissemination Workshops at key European conferences to raise wider international awareness of African research capacity and priorities· Publish Analysis of Information Society and ICT Research and Innovation Capacities and Priorities, related Bilateral Agreements with EU Member States, and Profiles of Living Labs and Innovation Spaces in IST-Africa Partner Countries· Contribute to European and African meetings supporting implementation of Information Society, ICT and Innovation related aspects of the Joint Africa – EU Strategic Plan· Maximize international impact by publishing reports, news, papers & presentations on IST-Africa portal