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Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 03:26:10 -0800
From: International Bicycle Fund <[log in to unmask]>
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To: us-afr <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [AfricaMatters] FW: Invitation to participate in ENVIRONMENT AFRICA,
2001
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Anane [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 1:25 PM
Subject: Invitation to participate in ENVIRONMENT AFRICA, 2001
Dear Colleague,
ENVIRONMENT AFRICA, 2001: THEME: Our Global Footprints International
Partnerships for Sustainable Development.
The League of Environmental Journalists (LEJ) and the International
Centre for
Environmental Communications (ICEC) wish to invite you to participate in
its
ENVIRONMENT AFRICA, 2001 programme.
This exciting three weeks long intercultural Environmental Education
programme is under the theme:
Our Global Footprints International Partnerships for Sustainable
Development.
This three week long programme full of adventure, unique cultures and
fascinating histories will take
place in Ghana, West Africa and will be organised during the months of
February 8th 1st March,
April 8th-29th, May 8th-29th, June 8th 29th, July 8th-29th, August
8th-29th, September
8th-29th, October 8th-29th, Nov 8th -29, 2001.
Indeed, environmental problems and economic systems are becoming more
and more
global, thus making the need to create and strengthen global alliances
for global
sustainability more imperative.
It is in this light that environmentalists and other stakeholders from
many nations and
cultures would benefit from meeting in Ghana to voice their concern for
the health and
future of the planet, discuss areas of mutual co-operation and forge a
common front.
Indeed, we are linked together with a common destiny and have to work
together to find
solutions to the environmental problems plaguing our planet
The LEJ and ICEC believe that sustaining and maintaining the environment
as a natural basis of life
for future generations is certainly a challenge the whole world should
face as a people, without a
concerted and united approach one country could undo the gains of
others.
Hence the decision of the LEJ and ICEC to institute the ENVIRONMENT
AFRICA programme
to identify ways of recognizing our global footprints, i.e. the
environmental and social impacts and
other consequences of certain practices and lifestyles in our countries
on people and nature in other
countries and continents. Indeed, this is a unique opportunity to share
knowledge, experience and
understanding and to create cooperation and networking across
continents.
The programme offers Northern Environmental Journalists, Scientists,
Environmental
Educators, curious travelers, writers, researchers and students in
Universities/ Media and
Environment Training Institutions the opportunity to visit local
conservation and education
projects, degraded sites and interact with activists and affected
communities in Africa. The
aim of the programme is to familiarize participants with diverse
environmental and
development issues in Africa, deepen their understanding of global
environmental issues
and inspire people of diverse cultures to join hands in conserving
natural resources and
protect the earth s environment to achieve a peaceful, equitable and
sustainable future.
The LEJ and the ICEC believe that cross cultural learning, living and
studying together on a micro
scale are an essential part of creating or strengthening global
alliances for global sustainability. This
informal learning programme takes the form of cross culture
interactions; country presentations;
sharing of experiences and testimonies from participants about their
battles against ecological
devastation; initiation of group projects in rural communities in Ghana;
study tours of ecological sites,
and lessons in traditional African Music and Dancing.
The programme is also designed to give participants an immersion
experience in African culture
through home stay living arrangements or decent and affordable hotel
accommodation facilities.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the diverse
cultures and artistic heritage of
Ghana, the history of slavery in the region and the environmental issues
facing Ghana as a nation.
The three week programme will provide participants with an intense
learning experience and first
hand knowledge of environment and development issues and social life in
Ghana, and the
opportunity to share ideas, experience and knowledge
This three week long learning experience builds environmental awareness
and appreciation through a
series of lectures, hands-on classes, outdoor activities: study tours
fieldtrips, receptions, workshops,
technology demonstrations and other special events.
Some of the issues to be covered include Environmental Education and
Communication; the links
between third world debts and environmental degradation; Community
approaches to wildlife
management; Building on indigenous systems of local knowledge, natural
resource use, and locally
supported decision-making structures and initiatives; Field
investigation of selected existing
community wildlife initiatives; the impact of human land use, including
community wildlife
management initiatives, on the wildlife resource and bio-diversity;
Bio-diversity conservation,
indigenous knowledge and gender; Violation of indigenous peoples right
and deforestation;
Traditional African Religion and conservation; World bank policies and
the Environment;
Environmental Degradation and Human rights Violations; Gold mining and
the environment;
Rainforest Ecology.
We will also explore how environmental journalists, communicators,
campaigners and researchers
can support each other in information gathering, dissemination etc. and
how participants and local
groups can co-operate to promote ecologically sustainable communities
worldwide.
As part of the programme, we shall draw on the international range of
perspectives and experiences
of the course participants as well as the expertise of highly
experienced environmental/developmental
education practitioners and academics. Presentations would be followed
by intense discussions
among participants and resource persons on issues raised.
At the end of it all, not only would participants discover new sides of
themselves but also be
able to build broad networks through partnership between individuals,
international and
local organisations in order to develop joint projects, share experience
and break down
isolation. It is also the view of the LEJ and ICEC that the programme
would eventually
lead to the recognition that we live in an interdependent world and that
our individual as
well as collective actions affect our common future
As we continue to discover whats new, unusual and extraordinary about
the world we live in, it is
with great enthusiasm that we invite you to join us for the experience
of a lifetime.
I sincerely hope this information would be of value to you, should you
wish to participate in the
programme, please complete the registration form attached and send by
mail or fax. Please do not
hesitate to contact the secretariat for further information or
clarification. An official of ICEJ would
meet each participant on arrival at the airport in Ghana.
Be our guest; participate in the three weeks programme that may change
your life
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Mike Anane(UNEP Global 500 Laureate)
Programme Coordinator
Facts about Ghana:
Ghana lies on the West Coast of Africa on the Gulf of Guinea where
Africa bulges westward into the
Atlantic Ocean.
With some of the liveliest cities and friendliest people in West Africa,
Ghana has a multiplicity of
other nationals from all over the world who live and work there either
as Ghanaian citizens or
permanent residents.
The capital is Accra and the official language is English. Ghanas
cities are not dramatically different
from western lifestyles with restaurant, nightclubs and others.
STUDY TOURS:
A) Linking human rights and the environment: Case study-the mining
industry in
Ghanas Western Region: The growing zeal among developing
countries
governments to attract foreign investment to the mining sector has
led to sweeping
reforms in the mineral sector policies of various countries with
mixed consequences.
The belief is that such new investment means new and cleaner
technologies,
organizational methods and efficient use of resources.
In Ghana for instance, the growing agitation and outrage expressed
by some
communities, often violently suggests that more work is needed to
understand and
tackle the problem of the environmental impact of mining projects
on the local
communities. The activities of these mostly foreign mining
companies have often
raised major human rights issues. Problems include forcible
evictions, compensation
and access to fair court procedures, pollution of sources of
drinking water with
cyanide, mercury and arsenic which are used extensively in mining
operations. There
will be opportunities to interact and interview affected
communities and mine
operators.
(B) A stay in typical rural African villages where participants would
meet traditional
leaders and their elders and interact with people in the
communities.
(C) Ecology of lake Bosumtwi: Excursion to Lake Bosomtwi, a beautiful
crater lake
with lush green surrounding hills. Not only is Bosumtwi the
countrys largest
and deepest natural lake(78 metres in the centre), but it is also
sacred . The
Ashanti believe that their souls come here after death to bid
farewell to their gods.
Believed to be the abode of the gods, Lake Bosumtwi is accorded
respect and
veneration, entry in the lake to wash clothes or bathe or collect
water on certain days
is forbidden. Discharge of human and industrial waste into the
lake could therefore
attract severe punishment from the gods. With these conservation
ideas shrouded in
traditional religious beliefs, the over thirty surrounding
villages have lived
harmoniously with the lake for years whilst enjoying clean water
and lasting fish
stock from the lake throughout the year. There are other
interesting beliefs that the
local guide will be too glad to recount for you under the moonlit
night.
(D) Visit to Kakum Nature Park and adjoining Game production reserve
with Africas
only canopy walkway. Its semi deciduous rainforest has been
developed into eco-
tourism attraction. With a large number of climbers and creepers,
the diverse and
dense vegetation supports the forest elephant, Diana Monkey, Olive
Colobus
Monkey, Red river hog and the Duiker. In all, 40 species of larger
mammals
including seven species of primates and over 200 species of birds
are found at the
Kakum National Park.
(E) Participants would also visit the Cape Coast and Elmina slave
castles built with slave
labour by the Dutch, Danish and British in the seventeenth century
to contain slaves
before shipment. On show are the stale rooms and dungeons shackles
and muzzle
loading muskets used during the slavery period in the Gold Coat
now Ghana.
(F) Environmental and Social impacts of large Dams, Case Study: Akosombo
Dam.
Rated Capacity: 912 MW, constructed by: Impreglio (Italy),Dam
Size: 134 meters
high, 671 meters long, Area flooded: Approximately 8,500 square
kilometers
People relocated: 80,000, from 740 villages.there will be a tour
of the Volta River
Authoritys Akosombo hydroelectric dam on the largest man-made
lake in the world
and a cruise undertaken on the Volta lake to the Dodi Island.
(G) Coastal and Marine Conservation Strategies: Trips have also been
planned to
some of the spectacular sandy and palm lined beaches in the
country, where
participants can observe the fishers as they roll in their catch
to the sun kissed
beaches threatened by erosion and pollution. Experts on marine
issues and other
representatives from the countrys EPA will deliver presentations
on a wide range of
marine issues. Fieldtrips will also be undertaken to some
degraded coastal areas. An
action plan will be drawn by participants after the programme to
raise awareness of
the need for clean beaches and the need to conserve life in the
ocean .
The LEJ is of the view that the ocean plays a critical role in our
everyday life and in
the future of our planet. Our overall objective therefore is to
get more people to
understand this and begin to appreciate the earth as a water
planet, and to take action
to conserve the ocean and the web of life it supports.
For people to choose sustainable over destructive means of
livelihood, they must have
sufficient understanding and information to be able to fully
appreciate the
ramifications of various choices.
Environmental education and raising of awareness are even more
important for
marine than for terrestrial conservation. Whether efforts to
maintain clean beaches
and protect marine ecosystems in the country succeeds or fails
will ultimately
depend on the active involvement of informed and enlightened
citizens some of
whom can be educated through work of participants.
Public support is the first and most fundamental requirement for
any marine
conservation initiative. Because most people know so little about
the marine realm,
about underwater species ( some of the most important of which, the
phytoplankton,
are invisible), about marine ecological processes. Considerable
gains can be made
just by educating the public, the media, NGOs, and government
officials.
Moreover, any local solutions to manage coastal resources
sustainably must begin by
involving coastal communities, and working together to ensure the
integrity of the
resource base.
The significance of the project is that it will encourage policy
makers and citizens to
adopt measures that will effectively and appropriately address
threats to the integrity
of marine bio-diversity and ecological processes.
The significance of the project is that it will encourage policy
makers and
citizens to adopt measures that will effectively and
appropriately address
threats to the integrity of marine bio-diversity and ecological
processes.
(H) Presentation on Traditional African religion and its role in
conservation: A trip
would also be undertaken to the Boaben Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
where you can
observe monkeys feed, play and sleep in the open forest. Believed
to be sacred, by the
surrounding communities, these black and white Colobus and Mona
monkeys move
around freely in homes in the area playing on the compound without
being harmed by
humans-A veritable case of traditional African religion
contributing to the
conservation of endangered species of primates.
(I)Presentation on Sacred Groves and Bio-diversity Conservation
These fetish or sacred groves which are often patches of forests
ranging from 0.5
to about 1500 hectares, serve as burial grounds for royal families
or abodes of
traditional gods or fetishes. With conservation ideas shrouded in
traditional
religious beliefs and practices, some communities in Ghana have been
using forests,
water and land resources sustainably for many years thus promoting
conservation of
vegetation, bio-diversity and ecological balance. Some of the few
patches of forests
that the country can boast of today can be found in these sacred
places and are
now protected by law . Sadly, Christianity, Science, poverty and
Western education
continue to threaten some of these traditional beliefs and
practices.
Participants would be treated to a session to observe the activities
of some custodians
of the sacred groves (fetish priests): drumming, chanting, dancing
and working
themselves into a frenzy, the fetish priest would brief the
participants on traditional
African religion and its role in environmental conservation. This
would be followed by
a debate amongst participants on the relevance of traditional
religious beliefs to
modern day environmental protection and conservation strategies.
Social Evenings:
These are occasions when participants would brief the group about their
countries, lifestyles, local
customs, environmental problems, successes and failures. Participants
are encouraged to bring along
small articles of interest from their countries to use during
presentations e.g., music, videos etc.
Social evenings are important because they further international
understanding.
Who Is the Programme For?
Mass media professionals, Environmental Educators, Campaigners,
Researchers, University
Students and all interested in environment, development and
international partnerships. The
programme can be customized to meet the needs and interests of
individuals or groups. Internship
opportunities are also available.
REGISTRATION FORM
Applicants Name
.
Postal Address
..
Name of Organisation
..
Postal Address
.
Tel
Fax
Email
..
Which programme would you like to participate? Please tick the relevant
date
below.
..
February 8th 1st March, April 8th-29th, May 8th-29th, June 8th 29th,
July 8th-29th, August
8th-29th, September 8th-29th, October 8th-29th, Nov 8th -29, 2001.
How can we help?
The Centre aims to provide flexible lively and objective training which
as far as possible addresses
the needs of each participant. To assist us in this, please outline
your own expectations for the
programme. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Please include a brief personal history or Bio-Data. Fees for the three
weeks programme,
which is 420 US Dollars covers lectures, study visits, educational
materials, and
accommodation. They do not cover international travel.
NB: Fees for the programme are payable on arrival in Ghana.
Places are limited so early application is advisable.
Please return completed application to:
The Programme Coordinator
International Centre for Environmental Communication
P. O. Box 2062
Accra, Ghana
Telephone: 233-21-236806 / 221849
Fax: 233-21-310028/ 236806/776100
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Please forward copies to: [log in to unmask]
and : [log in to unmask]
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