Brussels, 02/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 2 October, the European Commission launched concrete projects as part of the African Union (AU) and EU partnership for science, information society and space. In total, nineteen projects were selected and devised for responding to some of Africa's needs, such as the development and use of science and technologies to eradicate poverty, fight disease and reduce the digital divide, as well as tackle environmental damage and improve economic competitiveness. Six projects, judged priority involve: information technology, with two projects to improve the diffusion and use of the Internet in Africa (African Internet Exchange System) and extend the scope of broad band for research and teaching, GEANT, for the African sub-Sahara (Africa Connect); the scientific field, to help the AU develop its own scientific resources. The project, African Research Grants, will help the Commission and AU to implement an African framework programme for research. There is also a Water and Food Security in Africa programme, in Space, the GMES-Africa project seeks to increase use of tele-detection by Africa of its contributions in this area, particularly though the implementation of operational systems. A second project will aim to improve the AU's capacities in the geo-space arena. (B.C./trans/rh)