Unlocking the Potential of Emerging Bio-innovations in Africa: Can We Overcome the Burden of Mis/Disinformation?
The 6th edition of the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC2025) Symposium, addresses a critical challenge hindering Africa's adoption of innovative biosciences. While bio-innovations offer transformative potential in mitigating climate change effects and advancing health and socio-economic outcomes, misinformation remains a formidable barrier. Indeed, the World Economic Forum has declared misinformation as a global catastrophe. In an era where digital platforms enable rapid information dissemination, they also facilitate the spread of inaccuracies, undermining the acceptance and utilization of beneficial bio-innovations. Further, an emerging technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves as a double-edged sword with tremendous benefits to society, as well as potential to generate manipulative disinformation.
ABBC2025 seeks to quantify the impact of misinformation on Africa's ability to harness bio-innovations for food security, health, and sustainable development goals as outlined by the AU Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. The symposium aims to formulate actionable strategies to combat mis/disinformation and promote informed decision-making among policymakers, regulators, and the public.
The event will feature keynote addresses, thematic presentations, panel discussions, case studies, and exhibitions, focusing on three thematic areas:
- Drivers of mis/disinformation on bio-innovations and their impact.
- Opportunity costs from policy and regulatory complexities due to mis/disinformation.
- Practical interventions to combat mis/disinformation on bio-innovations.
Objectives:
- Identify drivers of mis/disinformation in Africa and showcase their impact on potential of bio-innovations.
- Explore ways of building functional and predictable systems for investor confidence in emerging bio-innovations.
- To foster collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders in order to co-create actionable solutions on mis/disinformation.
ABBC is renowned for its inclusive approach, bringing together researchers, policymakers, private sector representatives, communication experts, and community leaders. The collaborations forged and the dialogue enabled across diverse stakeholders through the symposium aims to accelerate Africa's agricultural and socio-economic development amidst climate challenges and social inclusion imperatives.
Background
Bio-innovation encompasses the discovery, commercialization, and dissemination of novel biological technologies. These innovations are pivotal in meeting Africa's growing demands for food security, health, and economic stability, particularly in the face of climate change. Technologies such as genome editing hold promise in developing climate-smart solutions that align with continental development agendas.
Despite the potential benefits, the proliferation of misinformation poses a significant threat. Inaccurate narratives about bio-innovations can erode public trust, misguide policy decisions, and impede regulatory frameworks essential for their deployment. For instance, misconceptions about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have led to stringent regulations in some regions, stifling innovation and economic progress.
The economic ramifications of misinformation are profound, diverting resources away from effective interventions and hindering sustainable development. ABBC2025 aims to mitigate these risks by promoting evidence-based decision-making and fostering a conducive environment for bio-innovation advancement in Africa.
In conclusion, ABBC symposia stand as beacons of collaboration and knowledge exchange, poised to steer Africa towards harnessing the full potential of bio-innovations while addressing the scourge of misinformation. The symposia endeavor to chart a path towards a sustainable and inclusive bio-innovation ecosystem that fulfills the continent's aspirations for the future by uniting diverse stakeholders.
Participants
Participants will comprise among others:
- Researchers
- Regulators
- Policy and decision makers
- Private sector
- Communication practitioners – journalists in traditional and new media, science communication experts and linguists
- Special interest groups- youth, women, PLWD, faith-based and community leaders
- Farmers