February 16, 2006, Cardiff, UK--SPIE Europe today announced that Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner for Information Society and Media, will be the keynote speaker at Photonics Europe, in Strasbourg, France on 4 April, 2006. The presentation by Commissioner Reding, titled "Europe at Light Speed", is part of the Photonics Europe symposium organized by SPIE Europe.
At the same event, the Photonics21 Strategic Research Agenda which sets out priorities for photonics R&D in Europe will be handed-over to Commissioner Reding by Alexander von Witzleben, CEO of Jenoptik AG, Germany and President of Photonics21.
Business, research and government leaders will meet for technical conferences, networking events, a high tech exhibition and workshops to continue the Photonics21 process at Photonics Europe. For example, a workshop organized by the Photonics 21 technology platform on 7 April in Strasbourg, will bring together top industry executives and stakeholders from areas including Information and Communication, Lighting and Displays, Manufacturing, Life Science, and Security, as well as in Education and Training.
The European Technology Platform: Photonics21 was set up by representatives from across the European photonics industry. They produced a vision document called "Photonics for the 21st Century" which was well received by Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media, and Janez Potoènik, European Commissioner for the Directorate for Research. Photonics21 aims to establish Europe as a leader in the development and deployment of Photonics in key industrial areas (Information and Communication, Lighting and Displays, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Security) as well as in Education and Training.