20 Nov. 2008
SPS 50th anniversary exhibition
The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme marks its 50th anniversary with an exhibition, to coincide with the meeting of the SPS Committee taking place on 20-21 November at the Alliance’s Headquarters in Brussels.
Entitled “50 years of science at NATO”, the display highlights the origins of the SPS Programme in 1958, and the way it has adapted to address new security challenges. Touch and LCD screens present a selection of SPS activities related to defence against terrorism and other threats to security, such as detection of explosives; countering computer terrorism; and securing energy and the environment.
The Virtual Silk Highway, a SPS project providing satellite-based internet access to the academic communities of the Caucasus and Central Asia, including Afghanistan, also enabled a three-way video teleconference connecting NATO Headquarters, Kabul University and the Ruhr University of Bochum at the opening of the SPS Committee meeting.
50th anniversary meeting of the SPS Committee
Mr. Jean-François Bureau, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Chairman of the SPS Committee, said at the opening of the session: “The work of this committee and the wide range of topics addressed … [intend] to support the Alliance and its Partners in future challenges, and to broaden knowledge and increase support among public opinions.” “More than ever at NATO, science will serve the overall purposes of the Alliance’s Public Diplomacy, as well as its core priorities”, he added.
