The African Scientific Institute attends

World Bank’s Second Africa Diaspora Open House

February 25, 2010

More than two years ago, the World Bank launched the “Mobilizing the African Diaspora for Development” initiative which is now called the African Diaspora Program (ADP).  Under this program, the World Bank promised to implement a number of specific activities which would affect directly and positively the African Diaspora and their activities in the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative was introduced to the African Diaspora community in North America at the first African Diaspora Open House which was held at the World Bank in November 2007.  

The African Scientific Institute (ASI) was invited to join Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili (Mrs.), Vice President of the Africa Region in the World Bank at this conterence. We were represented by ASI Board Member, Dr. Eddie Neal, President of Scientex Corp. and ASI’s Washington, DC Metro Area Representative and International Advisor, James L. Hope. Numerous presentations were made by World Bank staff, representatives of African Embassies and representatives of various other African Organizations such as the African Union, African Development Bank, etc.  The World Bank continues in its efforts to assist in mobilizing experts in the African Diaspora for African Development.

In focusing on development basics, the World Bank recognized the need for developing a data base of human resource and organizational capabilities that could serve the development objectives and needs of Africa.  ASI responded positively when asked if any of the conference participants had developed any sort of Africa development oriented data base, as ASI constantly grows its data base of over seven thousand listings of international professionals who are experts in science and technology. We are able and willing to partner with any institution to further efforts of engaging professionals throughout the African Diaspora.

During the course of this gathering at the World Bank, the ASI representatives were approached by numerous other conference participants who wanted to work with, be part of or be known to the African Scientific Institute. As ASI moves forward with its partners, there will certainly be innovation and timely results that will leave a positive impact on the African Continent and the African Diaspora.

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Climate Change, its Impact on Africa’s Coastal Waters

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, through UNESCO’s Global Ocean Observing System in Africa (GOOS-Africa) presented two Pan-African Workshops this past February 15-18, 2010 at the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

The African Scientific Institute (ASI) participated in this event to present how scientists and technologists from the African Diaspora could assist in the efforts of African countries to address issues evolving form global climate change and its impacts on Africa.

These workshops were a joint effort of GOOS-Africa, International Hydrological Program (IHP), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE) and the Group on Earth Observation’s Coastal Zone Community of Practice (GEO/CZCP).

The overall theme of these workshops was “Decision Making Support for Coastal Zone Management, Water Resources and Climate Change in Africa”

These two Pan-African workshops were very timely as they succeeded the Fifteenth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change held in Copenhagen, Denmark on December 7 – 18, 2009. The workshops facilitated discussions about results from the Copenhagen Convention, impacts and implications for African nations. These workshops represented a major UNESCO contribution to ongoing African efforts in the international arena regarding oceanic issues, coastal zone management, water resources management, and impacts due to global climate change.

This event brought participants throughout Africa and other continents who are experts in marine, water and environmental scientists and modelers, earth and climate scientists.  They focused on gaps in Earth Observing Systems, scientific and research infrastructures needed to empower effective management of impacts of climate change to coastal areas and water resources in Africa.

Finally, information gathered from this event will feed into the GOOS Regional Alliances and will assist in developing Regional Ocean Forecasting Systems as recommended by the GOOS Regional Forum III hosted by GOOS Africa in 2006 and endorsed by IOC-GOOS.