RESEARCH IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
FRANCOPHONE PRESENCE IN THE IO
Francophone islands in the Indian Ocean include:
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La Réunion – an overseas department and region of France
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Mayotte – an overseas department and region of France
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Mauritius, Seychelles, Comores, Madagascar - those islands of the south-west Indian Ocean have tight links with France and its overseas department in the region. An important part of their population are speaking French. ​​​
AUSTRALIAN PRESENCE IN THE IO
With Western Australia state being the largest bordering land of the Indian Ocean, Australia is strengthening its links with India, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka since several years.
RESEARCH ACTORS IN THE IO
French Universities & National institutes:
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Australian Universities:
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Deakin campus in India (GIFT city)
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Curtin campus in Mauritius
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UOW campus in India
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ECU campus in Sri Lanka
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Australian Organisations focus on the IO:
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The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC)
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The Indo-Pacific Research Centre at Murdoch
REGIONAL ACTORS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN
The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is an intergovernmental organization that brings together five Member States: the Union of the Comoros, France on behalf of Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. The mission of the IOC is to strengthen the links between the islands and to support its member states in the path towards sustainable development. As an intergovernmental cooperation organization, it acts in favor of peace and stability, maritime security, food security, preservation of the environment, fisheries, adaptation to climate change, the interests of developing island states, public health or cultural expression.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a dynamic inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region. It has brought together the countries bordering the Indian Ocean, from South Africa to Australia, via France. One of the priority areas of the IORA is Academic, Science & Technology cooperation. It aims to leverage the diverse strengths of its Member States, bridging the gaps between individual advancements and fostering a collaborative ecosystem of shared knowledge and progress. This collective effort promises to not only empower individual nations but also propel the entire Indian Ocean Region towards a brighter, more innovative future.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Like France, Reunion and its research and academic bodies have access to European funding. The INTERREG program is the main tool for regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean. It enables Reunion to forge links with its partners in the region as part of a co-development approach to meeting the global challenges of the environment and climate, health, the development of research, the economy, training and the integration of young people into the workforce, as well as promoting our cultural heritage. Its strategic priorities are Collaborative research & economic cooperation, Resilience & sustainable development, Inclusion, culture, economic & social development, and Improving the governance of cooperation. Australia is one of key countries that Reunion can develop an INTERREG project with.
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