LEAD Southern & Eastern Africa 2007 Highlights
CAPACITY BUILDING
LEAD SEA has conducted three training sessions in 2007. The first one was in Kimberley South Africa from 12 to 22 February, 2007 whose theme was “Population Environment and Development” (PED). The number of participants was 18. The second session took place in Malawi from 14 to 20 July, 2007. The theme for the Malawi session was “Societies in Transition” and the number of participants was 18. Nine of those at the Malawi session were continuing from the Kimberly session and Port Elizabeth session (2006) and proceeding to the Indonesia session. The PED Session was repeated in Bloemfontein, South Africa from 14 to 21 September, 2007 with 36 participants.
The sessions for LEAD SEA have been modularized and hence they are taken individually depending on interests and resources. This arrangement allows accumulation of courses towards completion of the Fellows Programme by adding an International session. For example, the participant from Swaziland at the Malawi session needed one regional session to become a LEAD International Fellow, having already attended Mexico International session.
We are grateful to our partners, University of Malawi, University of Free State, Department of Social Development and UNFPA for assisting in the implementation of the sessions in 2007.
With the short courses, LEAD SEA has increased its coverage to include Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, and Seychelles.
NEWMONT PROJECT
LEAD SEA completed the involvement in the Newmont Project in February 2007. As indicated, Dr. Mitulo Silengo was sub contracted as one way of involving LEAD Fellows and previous staff of LEAD.
CLIMATE CHANGE CONSULTATION
LEAD SEA conducted the Stakeholder consultative process in Pretoria on 16th and 17th April, 2007. Even though the notice was short, LEAD SEA and LEAD International managed to bring together participants from diverse backgrounds. The Stakeholder consultation was quite successful in bringing out aspirations of a wide cross section of Africans from Southern Africa towards Climate Change agenda. LEAD SEA Fellows played a key role in the Pretoria meeting and follow up meetings in Bonn (G8) and New York (CSD). Mr. Robert Gallagher (Cohort 4) and Mr. Kenneth Gondwe (Cohort 10) are the Fellows who attended the Bonn and New York meetings together with LEAD International staff. At the New York meeting they participated at a side event on 4th May, 2007 which focused on Climate proofing Development, and mainstreaming adaptation in Africa. The second was a lunchtime event on 9th May, 2007 targeting Ministerial level audience.
PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Contribution to policy reform
LEAD SEA was among key institutions consulted in the production of national Strategy for tree planting for Carbon Sequestration. LEAD is working with a number of stakeholders to set up a pilot project on free University land. It is expected that 30, 000 seedlings will be planted in December, 2007 and a similar number in December, 2008. The funding has come from the University of Malawi and Malawi Environment Endowment Trust. Discussions are also underway with the local UNDP office to contribute for the implementation of the project.
MASAF
LEAD SEA had been contracted by Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF), a World Bank project that was established in 1995 as part of the instruments to meet the objectives of the poverty alleviation policy framework. The project aim is to conduct research on Indigenous Knowledge that can be incorporated into their PRA training manuals. The total value of the project is US$36,000.00. This project commenced in September, 2007 and a preliminary report has been submitted. It is expected the project will be completed in December, 2007.
OTHER EVENTS
WORLD ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CONGRESS ( 1 – 6 July, 2007 )LEAD SEA in partnership with Department of Social Development mounted a display at the World Environmental Education Congress. This provided excellent visibility for LEAD. Some of the Fellows from other member programmes who attended the congress also turned up at the stand. Hence the stand provided a meeting point for LEADers. The PED Nexus module was also showcased as one example of partnership in capacity building between LEAD and other partners.
NEWSLETTER
LEAD SEA in collaboration with other partners started producing a quarterly newsletter on population, environment and development. The first issue was printed in April 2007 and the second issue was published in July 2007. The partners are Department of Social Development and Bethelsdorp Development Trust in South Africa. Fellows and Associates play quite an important role in the production.
PED NETWORK
The number of LEAD Associates who have taken one LEAD SEA module only, particularly the PED Nexus course has surpassed the number of LEAD Fellows being 122 Fellows and nearly 190 Associates. The South Africa Associates have formed a PED network that includes LEAD Fellows to implement action projects locally. One activity is the engagement with local government in KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa on how best to respond to Climate Change issues. The first meeting took place in September 2007, and a follow up is scheduled for November, 2007.
DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT GROUP MEETING (DEG)
LEAD SEA participated in a DEG meeting in London on 18 June, 2007 and made a presentation on a case study from Malawi. The paper highlighted the vulnerability of communities around Lake Chilwa in Malawi and neighboring Mozambique and the presentation was generally well received. A platform where earlier speakers included two UK cabinet ministers, the meeting provided excellent visibility for LEAD. LEAD SEA is grateful to LEAD International for providing the opportunity and the confidence in recommending LEAD SEA to DEG.
SECOND AFRICAN MIGRATION ALLIANCE WORKSHOP
LEAD SEA is co-organizing an International conference with a number of stakeholders on Africa Migration to take place in South Africa from 14-16 November, 2007. The theme is Migration in Africa: Environmental Challenges and Climate Change. A number of LEAD Fellows and Associates are participating in the planning of the meeting and in presentation.
IMPLEMENTING UN ESD
LEAD SEA is a member of the UNEP initiative for mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African Universities (MESA). With funding from Malawi Environment Endowment Trust a workshop was organized by LEAD SEA and the Faculty of Science for University of Malawi staff on E-learning. The workshop was conducted by United Nation Global Virtual University based in Norway. LEAD SEA benefited from the workshop will begin integrating e-learning more systematically in its curriculum.
COORDINATION OF MASTERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
LEAD SEA is assisting with coordinating of Masters in Environmental Science at University of Malawi. It is on the basis of this that Malawi Environment Endowment Trust, a major sponsor of the programme, was able to support associate training and other projects initiated by LEAD.
DFID CIVIL SOCIETY CHALLENGE FUND
LEAD SEA and LEAD Francophone Africa are country partners with LEAD International in seeking DFID funding for a project entitled strengthening the capability of communities and local institutions to respond to the threats and consequences of Climate Change in Southern and West Africa. The proposal is in its early stages, but it does reflect the principle of partnership between LEAD International in joint proposal writing around if successful in joint implementation.
LEAD Canada – LEAD SEA Collaboration
LEAD SEA and LEAD Canada implemented a Young Leaders programme for University of Arcadia and University of Malawi students. The programme involved pairing the students from the two countries to work on community problems identified and implemented with partners such as Farmers Union of Malawi, World University Council of Canada (WUSC). LEAD SEA and LEAD Canada fellows will be continuing the programme in 2008 with other students and will be seeking donor support jointly.