Last summer, ICTP Director Miguel Virasoro embarked on a one-month journey across Africa. What he witnessed was a continent earnestly seeking to harness science and technology to build a better future for its people.

An African Journey

In a world marked by breathtaking change, one place unfortunately seems to have remained remarkably the same. Through colonial rule and independence, hot and cold wars, tribal conflict and political reform, Africa has continued to be a portrait of poverty. At least that's been the prevailing image presented by much of the media both in the North and South.

But does the image fit the reality? This summer, during a month-long tour of the African continent that included visits to Benin, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, ICTP Director Miguel Virasoro journeyed to a place that defies simple, broadbrush characterizations.

"Africa's problems are enormous and cannot be underestimated," Virasoro says. "Jobs are scarce, incomes are low and public health is often at risk. But the image of a continent filled with desperate people without hope is simply not true. There's reason for optimism, not just because we need to be optimistic but because positive steps have been taken that are making a difference now and could make an even bigger difference in the future."

Virasoro witnessed such activities in Benin where he attended a workshop on geometric methods in quantum mechanics at the Institut de Mathématiques et de Sciences Physiques, an ICTP Affiliated Centre (ICAC) headed by Jean-Pierre Ezin.

"Benin," Virasoro notes, "is one of the poorest nations in Africa. Yet it enjoys a robust level of scientific activity, especially at ICAC. Jean-Pierre Ezin deserves much of the credit for this success story, which is slowly emerging as a model for other research institutions throughout Africa."

"I was also impressed by the level of scientific activities in Ghana," Virasoro remarks. Although harsh conditions have forced many of Ghana's younger, more promising, scientists to leave the country, those remaining are determined to succeed. ICTP will continue to help them through our Visiting Scholar programme, an expanded Diploma Programme and a new proposed Shared Ph.D. programme."

The LAM Network (African Network on Lasers, Atoms and Molecules) offers another counterpoint to the pessimistic assessments of Africa's future. Supported by ICTP Office of External Activities, LAM focuses on research issues related to laser physics, and now cooperates extensively with other institutions throughout the region.

"Those fortunate enough to be involved with the LAM network enjoy a privileged environment. That privilege," Virasoro adds, "has been earned by both the institutions and their participants. In fact, the network's most important lesson may be that it's possible to overcome the chronic problems of understaffing and isolation that affect many African research institutes."

In the Côte d'Ivoire, Virasoro also visited research facilities pursuing wide-ranging activities that defy prevailing stereotypes of the continent's scientific institutions. As Virasoro observes, "Agriculturalists and foresters at the National Research Center in Agriculture are seeking to create a scientific foundation for sustainable growth." Such efforts should prove of critical importance to both Côte d'Ivoire and other nations in West Africa struggling to improve their economies without damaging their environments."

Virasoro acknowledges that "The future of Africa in general--and science in Africa, in particular--remains uncertain. The problems are immense. Poor pay and antiquated equipment not only hinder research efforts but sap the enthusiasm of both faculty and students. The small number of staff at many universities often means that researchers work in isolation with too few opportunities to interact with their colleagues. Higher salaries and better facilities in the North continue to lure a large portion of the continent's most promising young scientists. And, unlike many other developing regions--for example, South America--women are virtually absent from science classrooms and laboratories."

"Yet, you can't ignore the efforts of the institutes and universities that I visited. Scientists throughout Africa, despite the obstacles they face, are doing good work in teaching, training, research and community outreach. Their initiatives are making a difference."

"ICTP--through, for example, its Associate Scheme, Diploma Programme, Office of External Activities, Training and Research in Italian Laboratories--is proud of the contribution it has made to these efforts. At the same time, the African officials and researchers to whom I spoke are thankful for ICTP's involvement. It's a partnership we intend to build on in the future."

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