2012-01-19 12:19:45 - Strasbourg, January 19 2012 – Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez and Teresa Riera Madurell believe that European involvement in African science presents an opportunity to attain the Millennium Development Goals. Together with other colleagues from the European Parliament they launched a Written Declaration to promote radio astronomy partnerships between Europe and Africa.

“People might ask why it is so important to support radio astronomy in Africa. We need to be aware that Europe has many radio astronomy research groups, but it is not geographically suitable to host the most innovative observatories. For Europe, Africa is the closest geographical area with low population density, low levels of radio frequency interference, and very little light pollution. And most importantly the astronomically rich southern sky can be observed from Africa” explains Teresa Riera Madurell, MEP and a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

In addition to producing ground-breaking science, radio astronomy drives innovation in several technological fields, including ICT, wireless communication, and renewable energy. It also creates opportunities for local companies to develop

new products and services and to expand on new markets. “Scientists around the world are already using the data coming from African telescopes whereas businesses can have valuable involvement in the development of high-tech equipment. With this Written Declaration on Science Capacity Building in Africa: promoting European African radio astronomy partnerships, the EP and the European Union can finally recognize the importance of science cooperation with Africa” adds Riera Madruell.

As Vice-president of the EP and a member of the Committee on Development, Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez stresses the importance of science for socio-economic development in Africa: “This has already been recognised in the Millennium Development Goals. High-tech research projects are important for Africa. They attract youth towards scientific studies, offer new employment opportunities, and develop basic services and infrastructures. This is why I see European involvement in African radio astronomy as a possible driver of socioeconomic change. We should grasp this opportunity with both hands and make it happen!”

Africa already hosts some of the world’s most exciting astronomy facilities, including the MeerKAT, one of the world’s largest radio telescope arrays, the Southern African Large Telescope, the Gamma Ray telescope HESS in Namibia and the Astronomy Development Office of the International Astronomical Union. A group of nine African countries (South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Mauritius, Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique) is also a candidate site to host the Square Kilometre Array, the world’s biggest radio telescope that will allow scientists to address many of the fundamental, unanswered questions about the universe we live in.

“Such large radio astronomy infrastructures inspire young African women and men to become astronomers, engineers and scientists. These projects integrate African countries into the global scientific and technological community. They transform the expectations of several generations of Africans who will come to see a career in science or engineering as a genuine and appealing option. I believe the EU should support the development of science capacity in Africa. The Written Declaration is the first step and I rely on my colleagues to recognize its importance and sign” concluded Martínez Martínez.