Magdalena Marenga looks forward to IAALD-Africa 2012 Conference

Magdalena Marenga is the Senior Librarian at the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Namibia. She is interested in attending the IAALD Africa 2012 conference in Johannesburg to learn more about rural development and food security.

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Justin Chisenga announces the 2012 IAALD-Africa Conference

Justin Chisenga from FAO's regional office in Ghana, speaking from Windhoek, Namibia during the AIAEE-IAALD-INFITA international conference discusses ICTS and the upcoming 2012 IAALD Africa conference on e-agriculture.

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Web 2.0 and social media in the agricultural environment

The IAALD Africa Chapter will hold a training workshop (in Botswana) on social media in agriculture in December 2010 - download the announcement.

Web 2.0 and the Agricultural Information Manager

At the upcoming IAALD World Congress iun Montpellier, the Africa Chapter and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) will orgainze a sessions on 'Web 2.0 and the Agricultural Information Manager.'

Several initiatives are being implemented in Africa, that promote the use of Web 2.0 technologies for information exchange in Agriculture. Some of these initiatives are at national, sub-regional level and regional level. Capacity-building sessions are also being held specifically on Web 2.0 technologies around the region. However, is this another wave of technology that will pass? Should the Agricultural Information Specialist catch on to that wave? The Web 2.0 is becoming common jargon among the youth and the media – what should we make of it?

The Chapter and FARA will use this opportunity to explore and share experiences on the impact of Web 2.0 on networking in Agricultural Research for Development.

IAALD Africa congress to discuss open access to agricultural knowledge

The IAALD Africa conference will be held in Ghana later in July 2009. After the pre-conference events, the main sessions include the following:

• Access and Dissemination of Knowledge in Agricultural Sciences and Technology – Mapping the Landscape and Major Challenges.

• Open Access to Publicly Funded Research – Views from Research Scientists, Policy Makers, Development Partners/Funders of Research, Users & Information Professionals
  

• WEBAGRIS tools for agricultural metadata management

• Intellectual Property Rights and Open Access to Knowledge in Agricultural Sciences and Technology

• Opening Access to Knowledge in Agricultural Sciences and Technology: International, Regional, National and Institutional Initiatives

• Advocating for Opening Access to Knowledge in Agricultural Sciences and Technology in Africa: the Way Forward

• Public private partnership in m-agriculture: roles and incentives of stakeholders

There are still spaces so register quickly!

Download the Programme (PDF).

Meeting Information and Knowledge Needs of Farmers in Africa

In July 2008, the IAALD Africa chapter organised a workshop to examine the emerging field of e-agriculture and review specific cases of e-agriculture initiatives in Africa and their impact on sharing, managing and delivery of agricultural information and knowledge services.

The report lists some issues raised during the meeting. See e-agriculture.org portal for more on this topic / see related posts on this blog.

IAALD Africa chapter web site re-launched

IAALD's Africa Chapter recently launched a completely renewed web site. The site introduces the chapter's activities, leadership, and priorities.

The first call for proposals for the Chapter's 2009 conference in Ghana is also available.

AgInfo Africa - upcoming IAALD activities

The IAALD Africa Chapter has been busy planning activities for its members and partners.

On 14 July, 2008, it organizes a one-day 'Seminar on Meeting Information and Knowledge Needs of Farmers in Africa Through e-Agriculture'. Part of the SCECSAL meeting in Zambia, up to 50 participants are expected.

Also this year, the Chapter is planning a session at the upcoming IAALD World Congress in Japan. Contact Chapter President Justin Chisenga for more information.

Preliminary planning has also started for the IAALD Africa regional conference to be held in Ghana, 13 – 17 July 2009. Mark you agendas!

IAALD's Africa Chapter was launched in Nairobi in May 2006.

IAALD Africa conference summary report

Hilda Munyua and colleagues recently compiled a summary report (pdf format) of the First IAALD Africa conference held in Nairobi in May 2006.

The report pulls together the main discussion points and issues from each of the sessions as well as from the various pre-conference workshops. It concludes by stating that the "conference objectives were fully achieved and delegates shared and exchanged experiences, ideas and best practices. A number of training sessions were held during the pre-conference workshops on various aspects of information and knowledge management. A number of decisions were taken with a view to helping to improve access to agricultural information to all the different categories of users. Furthermore, networking took place and relationships were established and strengthened. Most significantly, the IAALD Africa Chapter was officially launched to spearhead activities that address the challenges raised and to work towards implementing the recommendations of the conference."

Tags: agricultural information africa iaald

IAALD Africa launched in Nairobi

In a small ceremony today, IAALD Africa members attending the 2006 conference elected an interim executive committee to take the plans of the association forward. The 90 African members attending the week-long conference elected officers to the Chapter and charged them to set out activities and plans, define appropriate follow up steps to issues discussed at the conference, and generally establish the Chapter.

The Executive Commmittee members are: Justin Chisenga (FAO, President), Joseph Kiplang'at (Moi University, Vice-President), Dady Demby (CORAF, Vice President), Gracian Chimwaza (ITOCA, Secretary), Hilda Munyua (Kenya, Treasurer), Rosaline Njike (Cameroon, Member), Elvira Timba (Mozambique, Member), Dickson Baguma (Uganda, Member), and Mamoun Mohamed (Sudan, Member).

The conference attracted some 250 participants from around the world; they participated in several pre- and parallel workshops as well as the conference proper. Recommendations included calls for African researchers and journals to embrace open access; greater attention to ICT and information 'investment' policies and plans; further capacity strengthening to extend access to information; and exploration of innovative means to share knowledge among researchers and others. Reports and presentations will soon be available on the conference web site.

Tags: agricultural information africa iaald

Conference: Managing Agricultural Information for Sustainable Food Security and Improved Livelihoods in Africa

With support from CTA, IAALD members and partners in Africa are organising a conference from 21 to 26 May, 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting will look at five broad themes: Building capacity in agricultural information resources management; Enabling policy for agricultural information management; Narrowing the digital divide; Knowledge sharing and information systems for networking and partnerships; Meeting the information needs of stakeholders. Information on how to participate, contribute, or sponsor the event is available on the conference web site.

Tags: agricultural information africa iaald conferences