AFRICA/NIGERIA - First Science Festival in Owerri, from April 24-May 2, promoted by the Pontifical Council for Culture

Owerri (Agenzia Fides) – From April 24-May 2, Owerri (Nigeria) will be hosting its first Science Festival. The event is being organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the IDIS Foundation, of Naples (Italy). Among the organizers of the initiative is also the Office for University Campus Ministry of the Diocese of Rome, along with the Assumpta Science Centre in Owerri, an association of Roman and Nigerian university students.
It is the first step in a project that hopes to establish a “Science Center” in Owerri, and hopes to be the first concrete step in promoting and spreading awareness of the culture of science among Nigerian citizens, especially the youth. It also hopes to alert local and international institutions on the need to expand the scientific culture among the youth, for the development of the African continent. Among the main themes are: environment, energy, health and nutrition, and music. There will also be a Scientific Conference, as well as didactic and dynamic activities.
In presenting the event in the Holy See Press Office, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, observed: “Among the new emerging cultures, like China and India, Africa has a position of great prestige and stands out.”Archbishop Ravasi mentioned that for its part, the Pontifical Council for the Culture is “placing great efforts in the area of the relationship between science and faith, not only with the STOQ (Science, Theology, and the Ontological Quest) Project, but also in the age-old tradition of the Church, in a return to the 'logos,' the return to reason, with all its epistemological rigor and and with its profound identity.” As an example, he quoted Saint Anselm d'Aosta. “One is fascinated by the rational structure of his thought,” Archbishop Ravasi commented.
The initiative, which is being sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture, shows how Africa is in the heart of the Church, after the Pope's trip to the continent and in light of the upcoming Synod of Bishops in October. This is what Fr. Federico Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office, said in presenting the Science Festival. The initiative has plans to involve universities, professors, researchers, and students in the various issues such as the environment, energy, health, and nutrition, but also music. Archbishop Ravasi also mentioned the importance of the contribution made by the Pontifical Council for Culture in this event “which has arisen from constant contact maintained with the participating institutions,” with a specific purpose: “Being there not only to carry out research, but to become familiar with the itineraries and courses that science is taking, whether it be in terms of research or in other areas.” (Mtp) (Agenzia Fides 23/4/2009)