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BIO-EARN
Inception and Evolution:
The Roles of SIDA, SAREC and SEI
Inception
and Evolution
Several
years of intensive work enabled the BIO-EARN Programme
to become a reality. In 1997, the Department for
Research Cooperation (SAREC) of the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
assigned the Biotechnology Advisory Center (BAC) of the
Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) to develop a
proposal for an East African Regional Programme and
Research Network for Biotechnology, Biosafety and
Biotechnology Policy Development (BIO-EARN). After
extensive discussions with East African academic and
governmental institutions as well as Swedish
institutions, a Programme proposal was submitted to
SAREC in January 1998. Following a review process, SAREC
granted BAC and the Biodiversity Conservation and
Research Institute (BCRI) in Ethiopia funds for an
inception period to further develop the BIO-EARN
Programme proposal.
During the inception period the BIO-EARN partners
jointly formulated and promoted the Programme and
individual research projects in more detail through
national and regional workshops. As a result, all the
projects in BIO-EARN are based on the national
priorities of the individual countries. The inception
period also enabled the BIO-EARN Programme to be
successfully anchored at the national policy making
level. In addition, the BIO-EARN Programme with its
portfolio of projects was also reviewed by the BIO-EARN
Steering Committee. A revised BIO-EARN proposal was
submitted to SAREC in January 1999. In March 1999,
BIO-EARN was given a three-year grant by SAREC, which
enabled the programme to start its activities.
The
East African Research Network covers four countries, namely
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The network is composed of
network institutions including national councils/commissions for
science and technology which serve as focal points. The
programme consists of three main areas: Biotechnology, Biosafety,
and Biotechnology Policy Development.
The BIO-EARN Programme, through the BIO-EARN General Assembly,
and the various regional meetings/seminars led to increased
communication between East African scientists, biosafety
regulators and policy makers. For example, Tanzania has been
greatly assisted by Ugandan and Kenyan regulatory officials in
the development of the Tanzanian regulatory system. The ability
to share experiences and discuss development issues has
therefore strengthened the basis for scientific and policy
collaboration in the region.
Infrastructure capacity building in East African network
institutions
In an effort to build capacity and promote appropriate research
in the East African countries, the BIO-EARN programme moved a
long way in provision of infrastructure in the network
institutions to enable PhD students continue with biotechnology
research on returning to their home institutions. The programme
has substantially contributed to the improvement of research
infrastructure, equipment and stocking of consumables.
Connectivity at all BIO-EARN Network institutions has been
achieved. This has not only greatly improved communication among
the network members, but also access to information from the
internet to keep abreast with new biotechnology developments in
the world.
The BIO-EARN PhD students have developed close links with each
other through common workshops and annual BIO-EARN student
meetings, which has created a strong basis for future regional
collaboration an important factor in the future of the programme.
Programme
co-ordination responsibilities were transferred from SEI to East
Africa providing a basis for more active regional and national
co-ordination during the Phase II of the Programme and
beyond.
The BIO-EARN programme has strengthened key East African R&D
institutions by developing a platform for increased regional
collaboration and information sharing between policy
institutions (e.g. Science and Technology Councils) on key
policy issues (e.g. biosafety implementation, public-private
partnerships, IPR policies).
Increasing the dialogue between policy makers and scientists
As a consequence of BIO-EARN programme activities, East African
researchers have been encouraged to communicate with high-level
policy makers. A number of national awareness meetings has
facilitated the dialogue between policy makers and scientists on
how best to use biotechnology R&D for country development
purposes.
Source: http://www.sei.se
Go
to BIO-EARN's Focus for Phase III (2006-09)
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Sida:
The Swedish Agency for International Development
Cooperation Agency (Sida) is a government agency under
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sida's goal is to
contribute to making it possible for poor people to
improve their living conditions. Sida works
independently within the framework laid down by the
Swedish Parliament and Government, which stipulate the
budgets, the countries that will be included in Swedish
development cooperation, and the focus of cooperation.
One important point of departure is that each partner
country is responsible for its own development. Sida's
mission is to create opportunities for change and
development.
SAREC:
The Department for Research Cooperation (SAREC) is
Sida's sector department for support to partner country
research and research of importance for the development
of these countries. Support is provided for research
councils, universities and research institutions, for
regional research networks and for international
research programmes. The department also supports
Swedish research activities relevant to developing
countries.
Sida/SAREC Website: http://www.sida.se
SEI:
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is a
non-profit, independent research institute and
think-tank specialising in sustainable development and
environmental issues. It works at multiple levels -
global, national, regional and local - and accords
particular attention to cross-scale problems and
interactions. SEI has provided international leadership
on varied issues and currently, working with other
institutes and partners, it seeks to pursue the creation
of a new sustainability science in support of the
creation of a more sustainable world. It aims, through
its research programmes and ongoing policy advice, to
clarify the requirements, strategies, and policies
needed for a global transition to sustainability.
SEI Website: http://www.sei.se |
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