The Next Einstein Forum on 7 June kicked of its first annual continental science week initiative, which will take place in 13 countries on the continent.
The first two events take place in Sudan and Rwanda, with events to follow in June and early July in Senegal, Tanzania, South Africa, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and Morocco.
Country events vary between three and five days and will be presided over by an NEF ambassador in each country. Activities will differ in each country but will allow the public to interact with scientists.
The NEF says the African Science Week aims to stimulate an interest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and social sciences among Africa’s youth. The organisers hope to have an event in each country in Africa by 2020.
“[It] will highlight best practices for attracting and retaining young people, especially girls and women, in the sciences, and on the academic side, strengthen research networks and communities of scientists across Africa,” said Thierry Zomahoun, the head of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, in a statement.
NEF is an initiative of AIMS. Funding for the initiative comes from Google, Johnson & Johnson and local sponsors in each nation.