Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP)

CLAB-Africa Webinar Series: Climate Impacts on Food Systems in Africa
2024-07-04 14:30 - 16:00 (Africa/Johannesburg) | Online on Zoom
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The African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (ARUA-SFS), hosted at Future Africa at the University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), proudly presents the Climate, Land, Agriculture, and Biodiversity (CLAB)-Africa Webinar Series.
Webinar 1: Climate Impacts on Food Systems in Africa
Register here: RSVP here
The CLAB-Africa project is designed to elevate Africa-specific knowledge by supporting the continent’s leading scientists to engage political leadership on varying catalytic sectors to address the continent’s wicked challenges. With a bottom-up approach, the project focuses on providing policy-ready information and proven innovations to support African decision-makers in formulating climate-change, land, agriculture, and biodiversity responses.
The webinar will:

Explore the significant relationship between climate change and food security, highlighting the current state of African agriculture and the challenges posed by changing temperatures, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events.
Discuss the vulnerability of various regions and communities, emphasizing traditional and innovative adaptation strategies, sustainable agricultural practices, and the role of biodiversity
Present case studies of successful projects, discuss the importance of policies, governance, and stakeholder engagement, and highlight advances in agricultural research and technology, providing a comprehensive understanding of building resilient and sustainable food systems in the face of climate change.

Programme:
Welcome and Overview of the Webinar (5 Mins)
Facilitator – Ms Sithembile Mwamakamba, FANRPAN
Opening Remarks – Why CLAB-Africa? (10 Mins)
Prof Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi CLAB-Africa Co-Principal Investigator, University of Pretoria
Climate Change Impacts on Food Systems in Africa (20 Mins)
Dr Caroline Fadeke Ajilogba, CLAB-Africa Research Fellow, University of Pretoria
Remarks from the Mentor – Prof Sue Walker, Agricultural Research Council
Reflections: Challenges and Opportunities (10 Mins)
Prof Melusi Sibanda, University of Zululand
Perspectives from Practitioners and Experts (10 Mins)
Dr Gugulethu Zuma Netshiukhwi, Agricultural Research Council
Question and Answer Session (30 Mins)
Closing and Way Forward (5 Mins)
Dr Colleta Gandidzanwa, Research and Project Manager, ARUA Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (ARUA-SFS), Future Africa, University of Pretoria.
About the CLAB-Africa Project
The CLAB-Africa project is a Future Africa (University of Pretoria) initiative hosted under the ARUA-SFS, in collaboration with FANRPAN. CLAB-Africa aims to provide a platform for Africa’s scientific community to contribute to the developmental work of African governments and development institutions in the form of science-based, actionable recommendations within four identified clusters: (i) climate impact on food systems, (ii) land restoration and biodiversity, (iii) people-animal-ecosystems health and wellbeing, and (iv) land-water-energy resources use. The project is currently funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and will conclude at the end of September 2023. Earlier financial support was provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the French Embassy in South Africa, and the French Development Agency – Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Africa Week 2023
2024-06-30 13:00 | Future Africa
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The University of Pretoria is proud to host the biennial Africa Week, a prestigious event that brings together African and global leaders in science. This year’s event, in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation and the National Research Foundation, will convene the leadership of prominent African and global scientific networks and international, transdisciplinary initiatives. The theme for Africa Week 2023 is Open Africa, Open Science, which will feature topical dialogues on the importance of open science as a global public good and its relevance for the continent.
Africa Week 2023 is an opportunity to interpret openness in its broadest sense and to move conversations towards concrete actions aimed at increasing the impact and influence of African research through effective and equitable global partnerships. The event will explore ideas such as the global open science movement and its significance for science and research on the continent. The objective is to seek ways to harness the movement’s potential to create a more inclusive, collaborative and impactful research environment in Africa.
The event is structured to facilitate strategic sub-events comprising partnership meetings and workshops aimed at initiating new international programmes of transdisciplinary work. In company with Leaders of Higher Education Institutions from Africa and across the world, Africa Week 2023 will convene key stakeholders from the government, the private sector, civil society and the media. The event will provide an opportunity for participants to network, engage in thought-provoking discussions and showcase research achievements that have made an impact. Through its diverse range of participants, the event aims to promote a shared understanding of the challenges facing scientific research in Africa and the role of open science in addressing those challenges.
Africa Week 2023 is a vital platform for promoting discussions, teamwork and inclusivity in science. With its focus on open science, the event aims to create a more transparent, equitable and impactful research environment in Africa.
For more information contact: Africa Week Coordinator – Ms Juby Govender
africaweek@futureafrica.science
