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Turning commercial technology into military capabilities, supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises and harnessing European unity in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine are essential for EU defence innovation,  High Representative Josep Borrell, who is head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), told participants of European Defence Innovation Days 2023. 

“Innovation in defence is critical for Europe’s security,” Borrell said in a video message. He added that technology was changing the parameters of warfare, as it has always done. Innovation has also become a factor shaping the international security environment and the global balance of power, Borrell said.  

China, Russia and the United States are all investing in all areas of defence. The European Union is also seeking to develop more cooperative defence projects among its Member States after years of neglect of armed forces and a focus on only national priorities.  

Recalling the demand by EU Member States for more innovation from EDA, Borrell said that “the European Defence Agency is delivering”, noting that 500 participants with more than 50 stands and innovation pitches made up the European Defence Innovation Days this year.  

EDA, which offers the platform for collaborative defence research and capability development, has a central role to play as technology, in areas from satellites to cyber security, bridges both the civilian and military worlds. 

Echoing Borrell’s urgency, EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said that “to retain our strategic advantage, it is crucial that we prioritise innovation driven by capabilities.”  

As EU Member states and NATO allies increase defence commitments and forecast greater spending increases, Šedivý also noted that it was important to match the demands for new capabilities from defence planners with what small start-ups, academia and other innovators are developing.  

“That is a must to complement long term developments with short cycles of innovation,” Šedivý said. He also said that European Defence Innovation Days were a good forum to try to identify the best strategies for bridging the gap between technology and capabilities, and at the earliest stage possible. 

The European Defence Innovation Days event has been organised for the second year running by the European Defence Agency, this year under the auspices of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, bringing together start-ups, defence industry and the wider defence community as part of EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI).  

'Talk is cheap' 

Pål Jonson, Sweden’s Minister for Defence, warned against too much talk of strategy and planning, instead urging EU Member States to learn from each other and work closely with industry.  

“It's not enough, of course, to say that defence innovation is important. Talk is cheap,” Jonson said. He cited an expression used in management consultancy that ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’, meaning that no matter how great a strategy is, a constructive, encouraging culture is more important. 

In that vein, he called for an innovative culture of collaboration. “We in the defence sector are never going to be able to do this alone, without close cooperation with the civilian research and the industry. This is all about partnership,” he told participants.  

He also said it should be a priority for lower the barriers for smaller companies into the defence market. 

About HEDI 

HEDI acts as a platform to stimulate, facilitate and support cooperation on defence innovation among Member States while ensuring operational benefits with the European Commission’s EU defence innovation scheme, and NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). 

La plateforme électorale de gauche Sumar a été officiellement enregistrée en tant que parti dans l’espoir de faire contrepoids à la montée de la droite lors des élections anticipées prévues le 23 juillet.

By Greg Hanna
May 31 2023 (IPS)

More than 80 researchers and scientists gathered in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador last week for the Ocean Frontier Institute’s (OFI) Researchers’ Conference.

With a theme of Putting Research into Action, the event was an opportunity to explore activities funded under the Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier – a Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) program. Led by Dalhousie University and administered by OFI, the program was launched in 2016 in partnership with Memorial University and the University of Prince Edward Island.

“Your work is already helping to inform policy, engage communities and shape industry efforts towards a sustainable future, but we are still only at the beginning,” said Dr. Neil Bose, president and vice-chancellor of Memorial in his opening remarks to OFI researchers. Noting the diversity of scientific and research disciplines that were represented at the conference, Dr. Bose stressed the increasing urgency and importance of working together on ocean science.

Since 2016, the $94 million research initiative has established an important legacy, supporting 24 Large Research Projects, seven Opportunities Fund projects, and 127 Seed Fund projects.

Updates delivered from research projects

Over the two days of the conference, delegates delivered presentations on the outputs of their large research projects, covering critical areas such as:

• ocean mapping
• Indigenous engagement
• health and green infrastructure
• offshore freshwater sources
• the ocean’s biological carbon pump system
• sustainable ocean stewardship practices.

The presentations were complemented by moderated breakout discussions that went further in-depth on common challenges and opportunities of working with communities, industry, and government policy makers.

Sean Leet, managing director and chief executive officer of World Energy GH2 and board chair at Horizon Maritime delivered a guest presentation on sustainable energy.

“OFI has made remarkable progress and is carrying out valuable work in support of ocean health, Indigenous inclusion and the ocean economy,” said Leet. “I was pleased to share the origin story and progress of World Energy GH2’s Project Nujio’qonik, and to make a call-to-action for industry, and institutions such as OFI, to be bold and ambitious as we work toward hitting net-zero targets and slowing climate change.”

Students engaging in discussion during the OFI Researchers’ Conference

Need for engagement a key takeaway

Researchers highlighted enhanced engagement with local communities from the early stages of each project as key to creating local ownership and acceptance. Participants emphasized the need for better community level communication strategies.

Participants identified working with industry as a valuable way to access data and expertise not normally available, but the need for clarity in timelines, priorities, and the ownership of intellectual property outputs with this group is critical to ensure successful partnerships.

All groups highlighted the complexity of establishing a strong connection between science and policymakers, and identified the difficulty of navigating between federal, provincial, and local structures as a major challenge. Similar to working with communities, they identified an essential need to connect early with policymakers and identify clear lines of communication.

In all cases, balancing the timelines, expectations and priorities of these distinct groups requires further focus. OFI was challenged to provide greater support to help facilitate communications, training, and collaboration across all these areas.

Peter Wickwire Foster, OFI Director of Government and Public Relations presenting during the Researchers’ Workshop

Promoting ocean science

Ocean School’s Jacques Gautreau, director of business development, distribution, and production at the National Film Board of Canada and Ocean School’s Executive Director presented new Ocean School activities, a key highlight of the week.

Ocean School, an OFI program, has produced an impressive collection of educational material to help promote ocean science, inspire, and encourage students of all ages, and engage communities across Canada and internationally. Ocean School is collaborating with several of the OFI Large Research Projects to develop new material to mobilize the research project outcomes and co-create new educational material based on the work.

Gautreau highlighted the impact that public education efforts can have on future generations and our ocean, A Love Letter to the Ocean.

Looking to the future

The conference closed with summary remarks from Dr. Waite and Dr. Paul Snelgrove, associate scientific director at OFI and a professor at Memorial University, who praised the breadth and depth of the research projects highlighted throughout the conference.

In her keynote remarks, Dr. Anya Waite, OFI’s scientific director and chief executive officer, updated participants on OFI’s evolving structure. She explained how the institution has grown in the years following the CFREF funding, and how the new Transforming Climate Action CFREF program will add to the capabilities and impact of OFI-supported research. “Together we are creating the foundation for a global alliance on ocean research,” said Dr. Waite.

Dr. Anya Waite, OFI CEO and Scientific Director delivering her keynote address

“We will increasingly will look outward as these projects finish up, and harness the wisdom we have learned about over the last few days to ensure our engagement is even more impactful in 2024 and beyond,” said Dr. Paul Snelgrove. “I look forward to continuing that journey with all of you.”

Learn more about OFI-supported ocean research.

Am 8. Mai jährte sich die Verabschiedung der südafrikanischen Verfassung zum 27. Mal. Neben den ersten demokratischen Wahlen von 1994, aus denen Nelson Mandela als Präsident und die frühere Befreiungsbewegung African National Congress (ANC) als Regierungspartei hervorgingen, markiert sie für das Land das Ende des über vier Jahrzehnte herrschenden Apartheid: Denn bis dahin verfügten die Nachfahren der europäischen Kolonialmächte die Rassentrennung für alle Lebensbereiche und Wohngebiete in den Städten – und verwehrten der nicht-weißen Bevölkerungsmehrheit ihre Grundrechte. Wie steht es heute um die Demokratie Südafrikas? Inwiefern wird das Land dem in seiner international als vorbildlich angesehenen Verfassung niedergeschriebenen Anspruch gerecht, das soziale Unrecht seiner Vergangenheit anzuerkennen und die Rechte aller dort Lebenden zu schützen – „in unserer Verschiedenheit verbunden“ (united in our diversity)? Welchen Aufschluss gibt in diesem Zusammenhang der Umgang von Politik und Teilen der Gesellschaft mit den in Südafrika wohnenden Migrant*innen aus anderen Ländern Afrikas?

Am 8. Mai jährte sich die Verabschiedung der südafrikanischen Verfassung zum 27. Mal. Neben den ersten demokratischen Wahlen von 1994, aus denen Nelson Mandela als Präsident und die frühere Befreiungsbewegung African National Congress (ANC) als Regierungspartei hervorgingen, markiert sie für das Land das Ende des über vier Jahrzehnte herrschenden Apartheid: Denn bis dahin verfügten die Nachfahren der europäischen Kolonialmächte die Rassentrennung für alle Lebensbereiche und Wohngebiete in den Städten – und verwehrten der nicht-weißen Bevölkerungsmehrheit ihre Grundrechte. Wie steht es heute um die Demokratie Südafrikas? Inwiefern wird das Land dem in seiner international als vorbildlich angesehenen Verfassung niedergeschriebenen Anspruch gerecht, das soziale Unrecht seiner Vergangenheit anzuerkennen und die Rechte aller dort Lebenden zu schützen – „in unserer Verschiedenheit verbunden“ (united in our diversity)? Welchen Aufschluss gibt in diesem Zusammenhang der Umgang von Politik und Teilen der Gesellschaft mit den in Südafrika wohnenden Migrant*innen aus anderen Ländern Afrikas?

Am 8. Mai jährte sich die Verabschiedung der südafrikanischen Verfassung zum 27. Mal. Neben den ersten demokratischen Wahlen von 1994, aus denen Nelson Mandela als Präsident und die frühere Befreiungsbewegung African National Congress (ANC) als Regierungspartei hervorgingen, markiert sie für das Land das Ende des über vier Jahrzehnte herrschenden Apartheid: Denn bis dahin verfügten die Nachfahren der europäischen Kolonialmächte die Rassentrennung für alle Lebensbereiche und Wohngebiete in den Städten – und verwehrten der nicht-weißen Bevölkerungsmehrheit ihre Grundrechte. Wie steht es heute um die Demokratie Südafrikas? Inwiefern wird das Land dem in seiner international als vorbildlich angesehenen Verfassung niedergeschriebenen Anspruch gerecht, das soziale Unrecht seiner Vergangenheit anzuerkennen und die Rechte aller dort Lebenden zu schützen – „in unserer Verschiedenheit verbunden“ (united in our diversity)? Welchen Aufschluss gibt in diesem Zusammenhang der Umgang von Politik und Teilen der Gesellschaft mit den in Südafrika wohnenden Migrant*innen aus anderen Ländern Afrikas?

France's sports minister condemned Novak Djokovic on Wednesday (31 May) after he wrote a message saying Kosovo was at the "heart of Serbia" following his victory in the opening round of Roland Garros.

Big consumer goods companies, in league with the fossil fuel industry, produce more and more plastic, reaping the profits while disregarding the cost and damages to the climate, environment and people. Credit: Albert Oppong-Ansah/IPS.

By Juressa Lee
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 31 2023 (IPS)

Climate-crisis-fuelled storms have hit New Zealand hard this year. In January, we suffered unprecedented extreme weather and flooding, followed by Cyclone Gabrielle in February – the worst storm in 55 years—which triggered a national state of emergency. In total, we had 5.5 times more rain than Auckland summers typically receive.

In the aftermath, we saw first-hand one of the causes of the climate crisis: single-use plastic. Te Wai Ōrea, a popular Auckland park, was covered with single-use plastic pollution.

Each stage in the lifecycle of plastic, from production to disposal, fuels the climate crisis – 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, and corporations keep making more. According to the Minderoo Foundation, annual greenhouse gas emissions from single-use plastics in 2021 exceeded the total annual emissions of the United Kingdom.

Each stage in the lifecycle of plastic, from production to disposal, fuels the climate crisis - 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, and corporations keep making more. According to the Minderoo Foundation, annual greenhouse gas emissions from single-use plastics in 2021 exceeded the total annual emissions of the United Kingdom

I am tangata whenua (indigenous to Aotearoa New Zealand) and tangata Moana (indigenous to the Pacific). What I call home is more ocean than it is land, and this ocean is our livelihood. It provides our traditional diet and is a rich source of the stories of our existence. Each Pacific island nation ties to the next through our ancestors’ great migration across the ocean by their navigational skills.

On the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, heavy rainfall floods the waterways and plastic waste hits the beaches and the waters where locals spend a good chunk of their lives, where they fish and gather food. And every time, they clean up that trash. No one wants to see pollution in places that they have held sacred for many generations.

Communities on the frontlines of any part of the plastic lifecycle, from oil extraction to trash dumps and everywhere in between, are hit with a trifecta of injustice: plastic pollution, social injustice, and the climate crisis. The plastic deluge that is left after every climate-crisis-fuelled storm only reinforces this point.

Right now, nothing is being done ‘upstream’ to stem the flow of plastic so ‘downstream’ action – as effective as an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff – is all that local communities can do.

In Paris this month, governments from all over the world will meet to continue negotiating a Global Plastics Treaty—a once-in-a generation opportunity. An effective treaty must reduce plastic production and prioritize protecting biodiversity, safeguarding the climate and ensuring a just transition to a low-carbon, reuse-based economy.

Instead, big consumer goods companies, in league with the fossil fuel industry, produce more and more plastic, reaping the profits while disregarding the cost and damages to the climate, environment and people.

This is where we draw a line in the sand – a treaty that does not stop runaway plastic production and use is bound to fail.

Consider the Cook Islands, where my mother’s parents were raised and married. The way of life has been transformed from a traditional one of circularity and living gently with the land, to one where consumer products – much of it in plastic packaging – have been pushed upon our people since colonisation.

The islands, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, are now filling up with so much plastic that some might reluctantly feel there are just two options, burn it or bury it. Burning would accelerate the climate crisis and rising sea levels, and there is no land on the islands for bottomless landfills.

Coca-Cola, the world’s worst plastic polluter for five years now according to the Break Free from Plastic brand audits, sells their products in plastic bottles in small island nations without any recycling infrastructure or product stewardship. Coke sells over 100 billion bottles each year and is one of the wealthiest fast-moving consumer goods brands in the world, yet its single-use plastic packaging wreaks havoc on the environment.

In the Global South, single-use sachets that contain only enough product for one serving from consumer goods conglomerates like Unilever and Nestle, flood some regions, especially during the regular typhoon season. In 2020, the CEO of Unilever expressed his interest stop selling sachets, yet, since then, Unilever has lobbied against sachet bans in India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

The treaty negotiations so far have seen New Zealand push for an ambitious position that will keep oil and gas in the ground, stop the relentless production and use of plastic, and ensure a just transition to a low-carbon, zero-waste economy with leadership and expertise from indigenous and most affected communities. In the next round of talks, we need to lift the ambitions of other member states.

My ancestors shared a deep connection with Papatūānuku (our Earth mother) and our well-being is interdependent. We don’t see ourselves as being separate from nature. This indigenous worldview can lead treaty negotiations, creating systems that are less demanding of our planet and value nature over profit.

A Global Plastics Treaty can stop plastic production at the source and deliver a cleaner, safer planet for us and future generations. Governments need to step up to this moment and not let it go to waste.

Juressa Lee (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Rarotonga) is a Plastics campaigner at Greenpeace Aotearoa and a delegate to the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a Global Plastics Treaty, to be held on May 29 to June 2, 2023 in Paris, France.

 

La Commission européenne a doublé sa flotte aérienne de lutte contre les incendies en prévision de la saison des feux de forêt de cette année et prévoit de se doter de sa propre flotte financée par le budget de l’UE dans les prochaines années.

A meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday (31 May) will look into a new compromise text on the platform work directive, seen by EURACTIV, in the hope of building a bridge between two starkly divided camps and bringing member states together ahead of a ministerial meeting in mid-June.

Une séance de travail s'est tenue, mardi 30 mai 2023, entre la Ministre de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique Eléonore Yayi Ladékan et la Direction Générale de l'Office du Baccalauréat. Objectif : s'enquérir du niveau des préparatifs du Baccalauréat 2023.

Tout est fin pour l'organisation du Baccaulauréat, session de juin 2023, selon le point fait par le Directeur Général de l'Office Alphonse da Silva à la Ministre de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique Eléonore Yayi Ladékan, mardi 30 mai 2023. Le point a été fait à la ministre à la Direction Générale de l'Office du Baccalauréat en présence du directeur de cabinet Rogatien Tossou et d'autres cadres techniques du Ministère.
Eléonore Yayi Ladékan a félicité l'équipe de la Direction Générale de l'Office du Baccalauréat du travail abattu. Elle n'a pas manqué de donner des instructions pour la substitution du CEG Sèmè Podji dont les classes ont été décoiffées par un autre centre de composition ; le choix judicieux du personnel à déployer dans le cadre des travaux du Baccalauréat notamment les superviseurs, membres des jurys, les correcteurs et les surveillants etc.
Conformément à une Directive de l'Uemoa, le Bénin a adopté un arrêté interministériel portant création, attribution, composition, organisation et fonctionnement du comité scientifique national du Baccalauréat harmonisé, selon la ministre.
M. M.

Les premières rencontres des huitièmes de finales de la Coupe du monde des U20 en Argentine prévues ce mardi 30 Mai 2023, ont livré leur verdict. Les Etats Unis sont les premiers à passer en quarts suivis de l'Israël.

Les États-Unis d'Amérique ont battu la Nouvelle Zélande ce mardi lors du premier match des huitièmes de finales de la Coupe du monde U20 à l'Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. Le score était de 4-0 les Américains qui n'ont pas fait cadeau à leur adversaire tel ils le font depuis le début de la compétition. Ils sont ainsi à 04 matchs, 04 victoires contre zéro but encaissé.

Au terme de la deuxième rencontre des huitièmes de finale qui a opposé l'Ouzbékistan à l'Israël, ce sont les israéliens qui ont arraché leur qualification à la 90+7e.

Qualifiés, les USA et l'Israël connaitront leur adversaire en quarts de finales ce mercredi.

J.S

La nouvelle loi d’immigration fait l’objet de plusieurs débats qui devisent la France en ce moment. Alors que les Républicains ont dévoilé leur projet anti-immigration, […]

L’article La France veut durcir les conditions de régularisation des travailleurs sans-papiers est apparu en premier sur .

The European Political Community (EPC) Summit, hosted by Moldova on 1 June, is a chance for this country to show progress at home and economic development, writes Elena Derjanschi.

Depuis son lancement fin novembre 2022, ChatGPT, le chatbot qui utilise l'intelligence artificielle pour répondre à des questions ou générer des textes à la demande, est devenu l'application internet à la croissance la plus rapide de l'histoire.

Le secrétaire général de l’OTAN, Jens Stoltenberg, s’est montré optimiste quant à l’adhésion de la Suède à l’Alliance militaire occidentale, alors que les États-Unis font pression sur la Turquie pour qu’elle lève son veto avant la réunion informelle des ministres des Affaires étrangères de l’OTAN.

Wednesday, 31 May

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

Wednesday, 31 May

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

Wednesday, 31 May

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP