Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC 2023) Schedule

Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC 2023) Schedule

Venue: Nairobi, Kenya

AUGUST 22nd  -  24 th, 2023

Theme

Evolution of Genetic Improvement Tools in Agriculture:
Is Communication Matching Up?

#ABBC2023 Objectives

  • Share lessons from over two decades of communicating about modern biotechnology and implications on progress with new breeding tools.
  • Interrogate narratives framing regulatory and policy perspectives on new breeding tools and their impact on Africa's goal for a transformed agriculture in line with Agenda 2063.
  • Determine best-bet communication practices on new breeding tools that contribute to advancing sustainable food systems and planetary health goals.
Day One: Tuesday 22nd August 2023
Chair: Jackie Kado, Executive Director of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)
Rapporteur:
Time: ( EAT ) Session
8:00 - 8:30 am Registration
8:30 - 8:45 am Welcome Remarks
Official Opening
9.30 - 10.10 am Keynote Address: Evolution of Genetic Improvement Tools in Crops: Is Communication Matching Up?
  • A look at the tools
  • Status of public awareness and acceptance on the topic
  • How have the tools been communicated to different audiences? Has this been sufficient and effective communication?
10.10 - 11.10 am Policymaker, Editor, Consumer, Seed Trader, Animal Welfare High Level Panel: A follow up and reaction to the keynote addresses
11.10 - 11.40 am Health Break; Group Photo
11.40 - 11.50 am Review of Lessons Learnt from the Past 4 ABBC Symposia
11.50 - 1.00 pm World Café - Reflections on lessons learnt
1:00 - 02.00 pm Lunch
Chair: Dr. Marc Heijde, IPBO Program Manager
02.00 - 02.30 pm Keynote address: Consumer and stakeholder perceptions on gene edited food products
02.30 - 02.50 pm Case Study Presentation: How will communication about new breeding tools impact the development of sustainable food systems and one health - focus on crop science
02.50 - 03.10 pm Case Study Presentation: How will communication about new breeding tools impact the development of sustainable food systems and one health - focus on animal science
03.10 - 04.00 pm Moderated Round Table Discussions on Systems Thinking towards Sustainable Food/Feed Supply and One Health: What is the Role of Communication?
04.00 - 04.45 pm Market Place - Poster Presentations
05.45 - 07.30 pm Opening Cocktail and Sorghum Festival
Day Two: Wednesday 23rd August 2023
Chair: John Komen, Deputy Director, PBS
Rapporteur:
Time: ( EAT ) Session
8:00 - 8:30 am Registration
8:30 - 8:45 am Plenary : Recap of Day 1
8:45 - 9:15 am Keynote Address: Trends in Regulatory and Policy Perspectives about New Breeding Tools
9:15 - 9:45 am Case Study Presentation: Framing Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on New Breeding Tools
9:45 - 10:00 am Discussion
10:00 - 11:00 am Regulators' Panel: Opportunities and Challenges in the Communication of Policies and Regulations on New Breeding Tools
11:00 - 11:30 am Media simulation: Handling a Media Interview on Agri-biotech Innovations
11:30 - 12:00 noon Health break
12:00 - 01:30 pm Building Sustainable Relationships with the Media, Fact Checking and Use of Imagery in Reporting about New Breeding Tools
01:30 - 02:30 pm Lunch
Chair: Dr. Mary Mbole-Kariuki, Technology and Innovations Expert, AU-IBAR
02:30 - 03:00 pm Pitching Innovations that Contribute to One Health
03:00 - 03:15 pm Discussions
03:15 - 04:30 pm Africa's Most Promising Bioscience Ventures: A presentation by next-generation innovators in AfricaPresentation of Innovations from Ideation, Incubation to Commercialization (8-minute flash talks with prizes)
04:30 - 04.45 pm Coffee Break and Networking
06:00 - 7:00 pm Pre-dinner Investors' Round-table: Harnessing Opportunities for Bioinnovations in Africa
Day Three: Tuesday 24nd August 2023
Chair: Olalekan Akinbo, Supervisor with AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation
Rapporteur:
Time: ( EAT ) Session
7:00 - 8:30 am Breakfast meeting: Regulators and Scientists Special Session
8:00 - 8:30 am Registration
8:30 - 8:45 am Plenary : Recap of Day 2
8:45 - 10:00 am Panel discussion: Perspectives on Best Communication Practices from Farmers, Consumers, Private Sector, Science Communicators, Linguists, Media Editors, Scientists
10:00 - 10:30 am Health Break
10:30 - 12:00 pm
Parallel Session 3 (Side event)Minimising Biosafety Litigations in Africa
Parallel Session 2 (Side event)Gender Effects related to the Adoption of New Breeding Tools: Implications for communication practice
12:00 - 1:00 pm Policymakers' Roundtable: Recap of Lessons learned about Policy Formulation related to the Application of New Breeding Tools to achieve Sustainable Food Systems and One Health Goals
1.00 - 02.00 pm Lunch and Poster Session
02.00 - 02.30 pm Consolidating Best Bet Communication Practices
02.30 - 03.00 pm Closing Ceremony
03.30 - 06.30 pm One Health Excursion (Refreshments served) and Bush Dinner