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Public Discussion Forum
Harnessing Indigenous knowledge resources to promote awareness about persistent organic pollutants (pops)
Date: 11th October 2006
Venue: Gaborone Sun ConfeREnce Centre
Keynote speaker: Professor Ahmed Hussen (Kalamazoo College, MICHIGAN, USA)
The Botswana Trust for Harnessing Science and Technology for Economic Development (BOTHASTED – www.bothasted.org ) will host a one day symposium aimed at promoting public awareness on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), nine of which are pesticides, and their impact on development in Botswana. By bringing a topical issue to public debate, BOTHASTED hopes to engage a variety of stakeholders in active discussions on the challenge Botswana, like other developing countries, face in dealing with POPs and the need to eliminate the risk factors in the use of pesticides at domestic, agricultural and industrial levels.
The forum will feature a variety of stakeholders:
Farmers, industry practitioners, academics, government officials, development workers and members of civil society organizations
The forum is under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Global Environmenmtal Facility/Small Grant Programme (GEF/SGP) that BOTHASTED is undertaking. The project aims to provide a platform for research, dialogue and lessons sharing in the use of local knowledge to respond to POPs. In interrogating the role of POPs in Botswana, the forum will raise awareness of the challenge they pose to development and to highlight innovative local solutions to the use of pesticides through harnessing of local knowledge systems by farmers. . As part of its mission, BOTHASTED aims to be a key partner in Botswana’s development strategy harnessing local knowledge resources and innovating sustainable ways to ensure Botswana’s natural resources are protected for posterity. Further, by tapping into local knowledge BOTHASTED will facilitate the revitalization of Botswana’s rich cultural heritage as a development tool and enhance public education about locally informed development strategies.
There is no registration fee, however participants are supposed to register in advance. Tea, lunch and refreshments will be provided as well as a cocktail to facilitate discussions and networking. For further details, please contact Dr Masego P. Makepe Tel: 3552769 or 71255535 or Dr. Alinah K. Segobye Tel: 3552186 or 71625018 or Dr. Sebusang E. M. Sebusang (BOTHASTED Chairman) Tel: 3554364 or 72156758.
BOTHASTED Mission : To serve as a catalyst in the harnessing of S&T for Botswana’s economic development with particular emphasis on indigenous resources
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