The GÉANT Emerging NREN Programme (ENP) has been taking place alongside TNC since 2018. The programme has aimed to integrate individuals from emerging NRENs from around the globe into the TNC community and create further synergies and connections at different organisational levels between European and international NRENs.
The purpose of the programme is to bring to TNC individuals from NRENs that would not be able to participate otherwise, focusing particularly on engineering and technical personnel. In just three editions the programme has reached 54 participants from 32 different countries and territories.
This year the GÉANT ENP will be held physically alongside TNC22 from Monday 13 June to Friday 17 June 2022 in Trieste and supported by GARR, host of TNC22.
Regional and National R&E Networks are encouraged to nominate representatives to take part in the programme, in particular young engineers, NREN staff members, or researchers who are part of the community, but are not usually able to attend conferences and would benefit from the knowledge exchange. Diversity is also strongly supported by encouraging applications from women wherever possible.
This year the ENP welcomes participants from 19 countries and territories: Albania, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cape Verde, Jordan, Kosovo*, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, The Kyrgyz Republic, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
Each participant will attend TNC22 and take advantage of a tailor-made programme that includes dedicated sessions with GARR. Participants will be paired with GÉANT community members based on common professional backgrounds, in order to facilitate informal dialogue between individuals sharing the same interests.
The objective of this pairing experience is to make TNC participation more relevant and impactful by providing the opportunity to strengthen and enrich the NREN community and build new relationships. Representatives of the GÉANT community also benefit from the exchange as it enhances their understanding of NRENs around the world by listening to different perspectives on needs and challenges.
Leila Dekkar, International Relations Project Manager for GÉANT commented: “We are delighted to finally meet again face to face with our international colleagues and bring together the ENP participants with the GÉANT community! I am really grateful to GARR for organising a dedicated programme and I am confident that this week will create wonderful connections and foster future collaboration between countries.”
For further information about the GÉANT ENP contact Leila Dekkar leila.dekkar@geant.org
[*] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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