EPFL - UNESCO International scientific conference on technologies for development
Call for papers – Extended deadline: 15 July 2009
As a UNESCO Chair in technologies for development, the cooperation@epfl unit has the pleasure to announce that an international scientific conference concerning technologies for development will take place at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 8-10 February 2010.
Science and technology for disaster risk reduction is one of the priority fields of the conference.
Objectives
To conform to the Chair’s guidelines, the conference has four objectives:
1. Promote research for technologies and innovations that are appropriate for developing countries and enable solutions for specific problems affecting the most vulnerable populations.
2. Raise awareness concerning the potential of these technologies to advance innovation for the benefit of developing countries.
3. Create a platform for discussion, scientific exchange and knowledge sharing in a spirit of solidarity.
4. Encourage North-South research partnerships.
Following the new scientific orientation of the UNESCO UNITWIN Programme, the Conference aims to contribute in the long term to the creation and reinforcement of a critical mass in key development disciplines and fields in developing countries, as well to establish poles of excellence by encouraging South-South cooperation.
Keynote Speakers
- Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute, University of Columbia
- Prof. Mohamed H. A. Hassan, Executive Director of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS)
- Prof. Melissa Leach, Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex
Language
English (primary) and French (secondary)
Fees
Financial aid may be available for participants from developing countries who are submitting papers. We will have a financial aid form on our website in due course.
Papers / Conference Content
The Conference organizers invite papers which, under an interdisciplinary approach of international scientific cooperation, bring in knowledge-based evidence of the links between technologies and development, the uses of technologies and their innovative applications tackling key current development challenges, and giving evidence of the enabling conditions for their successful implementation. The papers can either offer examples and pilot experiences of concrete applications, or provide reflection clues linked to the proposed thematic (sustainable and appropriate technologies, policies, context, actors, governance, partnerships…).
While concentrating on three main spheres: scientific research and sustainable development, context and societal dimension, and cooperation and scientific partnerships, the papers should focus on four priority areas (as defined by the UNESCO Chair):
1. Technologies for sustainable development of habitat and cities ;
2. Information and communication technologies for the environment ;
3. Science and technology for disaster risk reduction ;
4. Technology for sustainable energy production.
For specific content of each priority area please go to the following link: http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page70497.html
Abstracts must not exceed 500 words and should be sent to our email address tech4dev2010@epfl.ch no later than 15 July, 2009. Please use the abstract submission form (Word doc.) available on our website. Submissions in English and French are welcome.
Key Dates
15.07.09 Extended deadline for submission of abstract
20.07.09 1st selection
30.10.09 Deadline for submission of full papers
30.11.09 Final selection
8-10 Feb. 10 Conference
For more information, please contact:
Laura Bischoff :
[email protected]
Cooperation@epfl - Vice-Presidency for Institutional Affairs
UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development
EPFL - Station 10
1015 Lausanne (Switzerland)
Tel. +41 (0)21 693.60.06/60.10 - Fax +41 (0)21 693.60.10 - http://cooperation.epfl.ch