A major problem for African scientists is lack of adequate cyber-facilities, particularly reliable, fast Internet or Grid access. As a consequence, African scientists are becoming increasingly marginalised as the scientific world adopts new technologies to share data, publications, information, and computing resources. African geoscientists have started to address this problem through the framework of the International Heliophysical Year, and the Electronic Geophysical Year. Many other bodies are also taking steps to reduce this "Digital Divide" in Africa.
The session will cover
- the status to-day of Internet access and performance in African Academic and Research Institutions
- international and Africa programs to reduce the digital divide
- new Internet and Grid developments in Africa
- possible common actions, via European and other programs, to address the problem.