The African light source project

The global science endeavour drives technological development in both the short and longer term and has a large impact on socioeconomic development. There are however other benefits, such as the culture of enlightenment, the eradication of ignorance and prejudice, the promotion of large-scale boundary-crossing collaborations and a real, fundamental appreciation of all diversity. In this context, large-scale research infrastructures play an important role. Amongst these, one of the most transformative mega-research entities is the modern advanced light source (AdLS). Research using these facilities is fundamental, applied and industrial. The first case is a truly universal endeavour, and in the latter cases, there will be regional priorities. For all these reasons, research has to be carried out everywhere and by all peoples. The passionate belief in this positive role for science and technology in society has driven the call for the African Light Source (AfLS). The call was first sounded in 2002, and it has been repeated by many sources on many platforms. African scientists are strongly participating in research exploiting the power of modern AdLSs, both from within African institutions, and from other institutions, as the exercise of the African science Diaspora. In addition, the global science community has also strongly supported the worldwide proliferation of the benefits of access to large-scale research infrastructures, and to extending the collaborative participation as widely as possible. This combination of African and International leadership towards an AfLS is embodied in a fully mandated international committee whose vision and goal is an AdLS in Africa. This AfLS would be supported by extensive local and regional research infrastructure and also local and regional human and industrial capacities.