Brussels, Belgium--The annual meeting of Photonics21, scheduled for March 27-28 at the Hotel Husa President Park in Brussels, will focus on the way forward toward the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020 and the founding of a Photonics Public Private Partnership (PPP).

European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes says the meeting will be a “milestone event” with regard to the role photonics will play in Horizon 2020. She will provide the keynote speech at the General Assembly. A  panel discussion will look at how to speed up the innovation process in Europe and how to better pool resources.

Seven Photonics21 work group sessions will concentrate on roadmapping for photonics research and innovation. During the meeting, young and innovative researchers will be receive the Photonics21 Student Innovation Award.

Founded in 2005, Photonics21 is an association of more than 1700 industrial enterprises and other stakeholders in the field of photonics in Europe. It is intended to establish Europe as a leader in the development and deployment of Photonics in five industrial areas (Information and Communication, Lighting and Displays, Manufacturing, Life Science and Security), as well as in Education and Training.

Registration is 180 Euro; you can learn more and register at http://photonics21.org/registration_annual_meeting.php.