Science & technology
The populations of West Africa are among the most exposed in the world to desert dust. Yet interest in scientific research into this particular form of pollution is virtually nil. A team from Benin and Europe is now appealing for international institutions to pay more attention to the problem.
There is a high probability that the health of African populations is very seriously affected by Saharan dust that, in certain seasons, rises to an...
In Namibia, the complex process of land reform is greatly speeded up by the use of appropriate technology. The latest information and communication solutions combined with innovative land registration systems have led to impressive results – largely to the benefit of communal farmers who now have secure plots to live on and to farm.
The availability of land is important for the survival of people in the developing world. In...
There is no shortage of rainfall on the island of spices; however it faces numerous challenges to ensure an adequate and good quality water supply, especially for the neglected rural population of the north-west of the island, far away from the tourist areas.
Monsoon rain water is collected in the natural caves of this mainly coral island. And yet several different factors threaten its availability. “The overuse of groundwater...
Taking Africa-EU space cooperation to new heights
The future of space cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the African continent was explored at a ‘Space for the African citizen’ event in Brussels on 16 September hosted by the EU’s current Belgian presidency.
Sabine Laruelle, Belgian Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, the Self-Employed, Agriculture and Science Policy, explained that cooperation in space...
‘AIDS 2010’ Conference, 18-23 July, Vienna, Austria: “Rights here, right now”
In 2008, some 33.4 million people worldwide were living with HIV. Sixty-seven per cent of those living with HIV and 91 per cent of new infections among children were in sub-Saharan Africa (AIDS Epidemic Update 2009 [UNAIDS/WHO]).Though there has been progress in fighting HIV/AIDS, the statistics prove that much more must be done.
Under the...
Jean Pierre Onvehoun Ezin is the African Union’s (AU) Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, one of 10 Commissioners representing the 53 AU member states. A mathematics professor, he told us about his wish list in the policy areas for which he’s responsible under the second action plan (2011-2013) of the EU’s Africa Strategy, which has eight sector partnerships. The action plan will be discussed by AU-EU...
Trinidad and Tobago needs to find new ways to confront the ‘classic clash’ of the protection of a rich biodiversity pitched against industrialisation, says world renowned Trinbagonian biologist, Professor John Agard of T & T’s St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies.
In geological terms Trinidad and Tobago is a relatively new country, having disconnected from the South American mainland just 10,000 to...
In South Africa, some flower growers have managed to gain a foothold in the much coveted African flower market, one still dominated by Kenya. But unlike most of its continental rivals, the Timbali company is investing in its workers, all of whom originate from poor rural communities.
“The initial idea was to offer people from underprivileged backgrounds the chance to participate in the economic mainstream”, explains Mauritz...
HIV/AIDS: Responsible cooperation
Health – and the fight against HIV/AIDS in particular – is one of the South African Government’s biggest priorities, alongside education, employment and combating poverty.
Southern Africa, and South Africa in particular, has one of the highest Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) rates in the world. The virus is notably prevalent among women in disadvantaged population groups, principally...
From dust to gold
A multitude of projects are starting up in South Africa to free the – too many – rural communities that are locked in a spiral of poverty. The approach is to provide them with the tools they need to put their skills to good use. It is one that has been met with a response from the local, regional, and even international market.
In many respects South Africa remains a raw materials producer. Marketing products...
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