GÉANT2 Gets High-Profile Exposure at the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis
Over 20,000 delegates and up to 50 world leaders gathered in Tunis during 16-18 November 2005 for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), to grapple with the question of who should govern the Internet, and to identify tools to bridge the digital divide.
As the world’s most advanced international research and education network, GÉANT2 is becoming increasingly attractive to researchers around the world. Extending the geographical reach of GÉANT2 is therefore a central part of the European Commission’s ‘connect the world’ vision.
Workshop on the Global Reach of GÉANT2
To take stock of the achievements and to provide an impetus for reinforced cooperation amongst different regions, the European Commission convened a workshop on ‘Worldwide Networking for Research and Networking: Extending the Reach of GÉANT’ as a parallel WSIS event.
In her Welcome and Opening Statement, Commissioner Viviane Reding defined network connectivity as a key enabler for research and education. She emphasised the crucial role of GÉANT2 in fostering collaboration between researchers across the globe, in facilitating the creation of pools of local and regional expertise, and thus in fighting brain drain and digital divide. “GÉANT2 represents a key component in Europe’s strategy to deploy a world-leading e-Infrastructure for e-Science”, she said.
Commissioner Reding outlined the European Commission’s vision for global research networking by combining its research funds with EU funds earmarked for international cooperation and aid for development. She recognised the success of the EUMEDCONNECT and ALICE projects, which have already deployed regional networks in the Mediterranean rim and Latin America respectively and established interconnections with GÉANT2. “The results achieved today are remarkable, with RedCLARA and EUMEDCONNECT being referred to as setting the scene for future initiatives in developing regions!” the Commissioner said, and was pleased to announce the extension of both projects until mid 2007 to ensure continuity. Various project partners also highlighted the benefits produced by the interconnectivity with GÉANT2 in their presentations.
Commissioner Reding announced the start of the deployment phase of the TEIN2 initiative to create regional connectivity in Asia-Pacific, and to link this area to GÉANT2.
Africa on the Move
In line with the recently adopted “EU Strategy for Africa”, which sets out a framework for action to support Africa's efforts to attain the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Commissioner Reding confirmed the Commission’s interest in supporting further connectivity programmes at continental level to promote digital inclusion of African universities and research institutes.
Malcolm Harbour, STOA Vice-President of the European Parliament, emphasised the importance of extending the reach of GÉANT2, and welcomed the announcement of the UbuntuNet Alliance for Research and Education Networking, an imminent initiative to support research networking in the eastern and southern regions of Africa. He explained: “UbuntuNet will provide these countries with the required capacities and tools to meet their own needs, enabling researchers to embark on more ambitious projects and to share ideas and resources with scientists in other parts of the world”. “For the investments to produce the desired benefits”, Mr Harbour added, “it is however essential that local governments create regulatory frameworks conducive to the development of this regional network.”
Enthusiastic words were voiced also by Duncan Martin, CEO of the South African education network TENET, which is already connected to GÉANT2. He said: “The connection to GÉANT was a milestone in our history and was welcomed by our scientists with shrieks of delight. At long last, South Africa joined the global research community again!”
ICT 4 All Exhibition
The ICT 4 All event complemented the political agenda of the Summit and was held from 15-19 November. It featured a lively exhibition and interactive workshops, showcasing over 500 ICT projects.
European Commission, DANTE and GRNet staff briefed the visitors at the EU Pavilion on the global reach of European research networking and handed out material on GÉANT2 as well as on EUMEDCONNECT, ALICE, TEIN2, SEEREN2 and SPONGE. A video with interviews from various project partners on the importance of global research networking complemented the stand presence.
