BioVisionAlexandria 2008 Begins at the BA
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Alexandria—
The opening session of BioVisionAlexandria 2008 took place on Sunday, 13 April 2008 at the BACC Great Hall. Speakers included Philippe Desmarescaux, Chairman of the World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision France; Koji Omi, Former Japanese Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy (Japan); Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research, European Commission, Belgium (through video message); Dr. Yousry El Gamal, Egyptian Minister of Education; and Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria. The Fourth BioVisionAlexandria 2008 (12 –16 April 2008) is held this year under the theme “From Promises to Practice” focusing on translating the best existing knowledge into new approaches.
Speakers discussed the threats of globalization, malnutrition problems, drought, and means of strengthening cooperation between public and private sectors in scientific research; inter-country exchange of research expertise, especially in the field of treatment of diseases and epidemics. Japan, for instance, is contributing to research in the African continent to achieve peace and security in the developing world. As to scientific research in Egypt, the Egyptian government drafts new strategies to promote scientific research by depending on young generations, establishing research institutes, and forming new partnerships with biotechnology institutions.
During the session, special focus was given to countries of the south (developing countries) suffering from the negative side of scientific progress and concerned that the immense advances taking place in science do not adequately translate noticeable improvements in the lives of the poorest 20% of the human race.
Speakers also referred to the major challenges facing the world, namely, food, fuel and feed; public health and private medicine; climate change and its effect on the global ecosystem; and finally the necessity of mobilizing the human family to combat these cosmic problems.