•Participants will discuss the current status and future of science journalism in Africa, and to disseminate the latest updates in research and development happening and affecting the continent.
Science communicators and scientists gather from November 17 for the virtual Fourth African Conference of Science Journalists.
The three-day event is being organised by the Nairobi-based Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (Mesha).
“We are making very good progress with a target of hosting 300 delegates from about 30 countries in Africa and from other parts of the world to the bi-annual event,” said Violet Otindo, chairperson of Mesha.
She said that for the second time in the life of the conference, French and English interpretations will be made available.
Advance registration for the Conference is open at https://wwf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtcOypqzItH9ckHcg5eGwMODah70KygBUB.
According the local organising committee, IDRC, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and World Wide Fund – Kenya will support the conference, which has been put together in conjunction with ScienceAfrica, InfoNile and IUCN.
The highlight of day one of the conference will be the official launch of the Science Media Centre headquartered at ScienceAfrica, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Journalists and scientists from 35 African countries are expected to attend the virtual meeting.
The theme of the conference is, Bolstering the Role of Science Journalism during a Pandemic and an ‘Infodemic’.
Participants will discuss the current status and future of science journalism in Africa, and to disseminate the latest updates in research and development happening and affecting the continent.
To kick the conference off, the conference will witness the launch of the East Africa Media Centre.
Latest findings in research and development on health, agriculture, technology and environment will be presented in four plenary sessions, several breakout sessions and exhibitions in the course of the conference.
Among other key discussions will be on health funding; how Africa can deliver healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems.
On agriculture, Kenyatta University don Prof Steve Runo, will present a session on Genome editing and what journalists need to know.
There will also be an update on mechanization of agriculture for the small scale farmers by FAO.
IUCN and WWF will also present a session on biodiversity loss and impact on health, food security and human existence.