AFRICA-BIO

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF AFRICABIO’S ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
June 2003

Who are we?


AfricaBio is an independent, non-profit biotechnology stakeholders association, whose key role is to provide information and create awareness on biotechnology in South Africa and the region.

The Contribution to the Advancement of Science/Technological Innovation/New Knowledge Generated


AfricaBio is the key body for biotechnology stakeholders in South Africa. The growing discussions in Africa on the application of biotechnology and biotechnology products have prompted the formation of AfricaBio, a biotechnology stakeholders association. The issues were:

There is no recognized independent body in Africa proactively providing accurate information on biotechnology;
The debate in Africa is currently focused on biotechnological issues within the agric-food sectors. As the scope of the debate widens, the Association will be modified to encompass those issues;
Inadequate knowledge of legislation on genetic modified organisms could be alleviated by an Association, which has the ability to communicate with all interested parties;
Decision-makers at all levels of society are not well informed about the technology. Furthermore, there are proactive organisations in Africa providing misinformation about the technology and its products. This situation needs to be corrected;
In view of the benefits which biotechnology offers, it has become essential to facilitate interaction between consumers, scientists, industry, and government departments in order to promote a common approach;
The issue of safety within the regulatory framework is of public concern. The Association requires that all its members subscribe to a code of conduct to ensure safe, ethical research and application of biotechnology.

The Practical Application/Implementation

In response to the above issues, AfricaBio (Biotechnology Stakeholders Association) was informally formed in 1999 and was officially registered as a non-profit, Section 21 Company in February 2000.

Relevance to South Africa and Its people

AfricaBio is an independent association that represents all stakeholders involved with, or having an interest in biotechnology in Africa. AfricaBio recognizes that biotechnology awareness is a cornerstone to adoption of the new opportunities available through research and industry development. The wide spectrum of representation is evident from the members which include: research and tertiary education institutions, biotechnology companies, seed companies, farmer organisations, grain traders, food manufacturers, food retailers, professionals, scientists, consumers and students.

AfricaBio’s overall objectives are:

To provide accurate and objective information on biotechnology to consumers, media and decision-makers to ensure that biotechnology is accurately represented at all levels of society in Africa.
To provide information on national and international regulatory legislation that can influence the use, production or marketing of biotechnology products in Africa.
To provide a regular forum for the exchange of information in Africa.
To facilitate research, development, education and training projects as required by members and stakeholders.

AfricaBio’s primary responsibility is to provide a platform for discussion of biotechnology issues. As such, AfricaBio is extensively involved in creating a forum for disseminating information to all stakeholders. This has been achieved through extensive public awareness campaigns that have targeted consumers (particularly those from disadvantaged communities), farmers associations, industry and youth.

AfricaBio have taken the approach that public understanding is an important prerequisite for public acceptance, and as a result, the campaign has followed the approach were biotechnology information days have been hosted and biotechnology exhibits have been arranged at various functions.

During the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in 2002, AfricaBio took on the important role of being the voice of biotechnology stakeholders throughout the developing world. AfricaBio also contributed to the Science Forum by hosting a workshop on the Role of Biotechnology and Biodiversity in Sustainable development.

Through its various projects, AfricaBio empowers its target groups through the provision of appropriate information, materials and training. The organisation has:
Aimed to ensure equitable access to information and technology by supporting and empowering organisations such as NAFU (National African Farmers Union) and other small-scale farmer organisations as well as women groups at community level (e.g. African Housewives league and Ikageng Women’s club) to have a voice at events such as the WSSD and the GMO hearing in April 2003.
Capacity building has been a key component of AfricaBio’s implementation strategy. From 2001-2003, AfricaBio has provided information and training to over 2000 farmers, community leaders, community groups and householders in developing communities. In addition, AfricaBio has trained over 60 biotechnology communicators in South Africa and the region and over 300 members of the agricultural industry.
Regular biotechnology business breakfasts are held, (for approximately 100 people each quarter) to facilitate biotechnology sector development.
In relation to enabling emerging farmers to achieve profitability, sustainable resource management and impact on food security in southern Africa, AfricaBio sees its role as providing all agricultural stakeholders with information and training (where necessary), on biotechnology. This technology is one of the tools in agriculture that can assist emerging farmers to obtain higher yields, e.g. small-scale cotton and maize farmers report higher yields and profitable returns on investments using seeds improved by biotechnology.

Commercial Impact and Contribution to S&T Policy

Since its formation in February 2000, AfricaBio has;
Secured wide spread support from a spectrum of stakeholders in South Africa and Africa as a whole
AfricaBio had 40 founding members in February 2000 membership is now over 100
AfricaBio has a proactive media campaign and communication strategy
AfricaBio disseminates a bimonthly biotechnology newsletter to stakeholders in Africa and internationally
. Medical and environmental newsletters are also produced that keep stakeholders abreast with biotechnology issues in these sectors.
AfricaBio interacted with the SA government to ensure the implementation of the GMO Act 1997 and Biosafety Protocol
AfricaBio has initiated consumer research in SA
AfricaBio has held a symposium and several conferences and workshops on biotechnology for all members of society and has held and been involved in public debates
AfricaBio has developed and piloted education and training courses on biotechnology which are now available on demand (used by consumer organizations, government and industry)
AfricaBio has developed curricula for schools on behalf of National Department of Science & Technology and would like to extend this to secondary schools in Africa.

AfricaBio has taken its position in assisting with the development of biotechnology in South Africa. As part of its public awareness initiatives, AfricaBio has addressed the agriculture, health and environmental portfolio committees of the South African parliament. AfricaBio has made an effort to respond to and provide input into the National Biotechnology Strategy as well as any draft regulations pertaining to biotechnology issues. In the roll out of the national biotechnology strategy, AfricaBio has been involved with the formation and coordination of the Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centers (BRICs).

AfricaBio has also partnered with government through the Foundation for Education, Science and Technology (FEST) for the public awareness and dialogue project.

Promotion of Public Understanding of Science & Technology

In order to achieve its goals, AfricaBio has five working groups who drive the projects and activities. These are:

Education and Training Working Group
Public Relations, Media and Public Perceptions Working Group
Policy and Food Chain Working Group
International Networking Working Group
Scientific, Research and Development Working Group

Promotion of Education in this field as a contribution to the Public Understanding of Science & Technology

The work of AfricaBio has resulted in much interaction being generated with various biotechnology stakeholders. Through its networking opportunities,

The Education and Training Working Group of AfricaBio is one of the most active with various activities and initiatives that are aimed at promoting education and public understanding of biotechnology. These include:

Training programmes for consumers, government and industry (at all levels)
Education programmes for schools (focused at secondary school level)
Curricula development (supported by the National Department of Science & Technology)
Presentations on request to organisations (schools, industry and civil society organisations)

This working group works in consultation with the Public Relations, Media and Public Perceptions Working Group which has 4 sub working groups (agriculture, medical & pharmaceutical, environment and consumer & nutrition), which is primarily involved with

Media releases on biotechnology issues
Media interaction
Media symposia/workshops
Consumer research
Consumer symposia/workshops
Target group pamphlets and information transfer
Distribution of a monthly biotechnology newsletter to decision-makers in Africa
Networking for biotechnology stakeholders

Social and Economic Sustainability

As AfricaBio is a non-profit entity, its future sustainability is reliant upon, AfricaBio continuing to provide services for which there is a need. AfricaBio will continue to provide a balanced and up to date information service for biotechnology stakeholders in South Africa and the region as a whole.

It is the belief of AfricaBio that biotechnology has an important role to play in sustainable development. In order to do this, AfricaBio has endeavored to ensure that biotechnology issues continue to be represented fully in development fora. This has been achieved through various initiatives that include, the Schools Competition that aim to make young people aware of biotechnology.
National, Regional and International Recognition

At the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, AfricaBio was a major NGO promoting the safe, responsible and ethical use of GMOs. During the Summit AfricaBio held a daylong workshop on "The Role of Biotechnology and Biodiversity in Sustainable Development

At a regional level, AfricaBio has provided services and support to many countries in the SADC Region on biotechnology education and training and assisting countries to establish their own public awareness and dialogue programmes.

Below are some of the comments from different biotechnology stakeholders in the Southern African region on the role of AfricaBio in their various countries:

Malawi
AfricaBio has been one of the pillars in the process of creating and developing an environment conducive to the promotion of biotechnology in the region. Malawi is one country where AfricaBio has made tremendous impact in this respect. The experience of Malawi can therefore be used appropriately in assessing the activities and role of AfricaBio in the region. Within Malawi, the Biotechnology-Ecology Research and Outreach Consortium (BioEROC) has been the lead organization in propagating biotechnology activities at the national level. In many of its efforts, BioEROC has worked with AfricaBio and tangible outputs have been realized

The experience of Malawi clearly illustrates that AfricaBio plays a vital role in regional activities in Southern Africa at various levels, ranging from information dissemination, influencing national policies to capacity building. – Prof. Aggrey Ambali
Molecular Biology & Ecology Research Unit (MBERU), Malawi (Malawi coordinator – Regional Public Awareness Programme).

Namibia
AfricaBio has offered assistance in the areas of awareness building in biotechnology, biosafety as well as establishing public dialogue programmes that has initiated biotechnology discussions and awareness in Namibia. AfricaBio has also facilitated the networking and linkages with several expertise in biotechnology in the region. – Martha Kandawa-Schulz - (Namibia coordinator – Regional Public Awareness Programme).

Zimbabwe
The regional public awareness and dialogue has been an important tool in our biotechnology outreach Programme. Through this project, we have been able to access media and develop programmes to give information to the public - Idha Sithole (Zimbabwe coordinator – Regional Public Awareness Programme).

Mozambique
AfricaBio has supported us by assisting us to develop materials on biotechnology in Portuguese . Through the Rockefeller funded Programme, we have had access to resources that have allowed us to begin the process of biotechnology dialogue in Mozambique - Anabelah Zacarias (Mozambique coordinator – Regional Public Awareness Programme).


AfricaBio has established several regional and international partnerships that enable for efficient transfer of up to date information as well as targeting of a wider target audience. These partners include:

African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF)
Agricultural Biotechnology Support Programme (ABSP)
A Harvest Biotech Foundation International (AHBFI)
BIO (USA)
Europabio (Brussels)
Foundation for Education, Science and Technology (FEST)
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)

Achievements
AfricaBio was awarded the prestigious 2002 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Award for its outstanding contribution to science and technology.
In its citation the NSTF says AfricaBio was voted the winner because of the following:
It has provided a forum for informed debate on biotechnology issues and the promotion of its safe, responsible and ethical use, with significant contributions in the areas of education and PUSET (Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology);
Small-scale farmers have been empowered through training and advice;
The growth of the sector has been facilitated through start-up companies and involvement in the coordination of Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centers (BRICs);
Participation in the development of state policy and the Biosafety Protocol has been effected; and
The development of the all-important National Biotechnology Strategy and its subsequent roll-out, contributing greatly towards the realisation of the potential offered to the national economic growth by this sector.