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Linking the African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations SDGs through Inclusive International Mobilities to contribute to science-based solutions in Africa

Abstract

The African Continent wants to be seen as a strong global player in ensuring the actualization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Un SDGs), as such the African Union established the blueprint called the African Union Agenda 2063. This framework called “Agenda 2063” strives for “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena”. It embraces the tangible demonstration and roadmap of how Africa, as a continent intends to achieve this huge vision within a 50-year period from 2013 to 2063. It is the master plan meant to guide the member states through a transformational journey that will birth an Africa that has global impact with local relevance made possible by her own citizens and rich resources, this is summed up in the slogan “The Africa We Want” (AU, 2023). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) on the other hand encapsulate the shared blueprint of all nations of the world both developed and developing to intentionally commit to actions that will ensure peace and prosperity for people and the planet both now and in the future. Having integrated both the continental and global frameworks in an inclusive manner, it becomes paramount that the citizens of the nations within Africa engage in purposeful scientific activities that will drive sustainable development in the continent. Most of the African countries suffer from inherent problems occasioned by poor infrastructure, paucity of funds for scientific and technological advancements and an aggressive brain drain that have impoverished the continent. Despite the challenges faced by the citizens in this geographical space, there are commendable efforts being made by notable Africans, organizations, researchers, strategic partners and stakeholders from sectors such as higher education, industry, government, civil society, indigenous people and international donor agencies to ameliorate these obstacles. Science-based solutions are very needful in combating global problems such as climate-driven food shortage, biodiversity loss, habitat loss, environmental degradation, epidemics, poor access to quality education and healthcare. Collaborations engender sustainable development and enhanced productivity which can be promoted by funding and provision of enabling environment for scientific research. The mobility programmes that bring together the scientists from the global south and north for collaborative research and innovation encourage exchange of ideas that lead to new insights, products, services and overall wellbeing of the society being the final end users of these value-added resources. This session intends to showcase key deliverables that have been achieved from beneficial partnerships between Africa and the developed world in terms of multidisciplinary research and development. These templates are expected to provide good guidelines for other notable organizations to engage in these developmental activities which will help in bridging the divides between the global north and south and move us closer to achieving the continental and global goals. The target audience will be scientists, researchers, civil society, donor agencies, governments, industry players, higher education leaders, policy makers and international organizations.

Speakers

Prof. Chioma Blaise Chikere, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; University of South Africa, South Africa – [email protected]

Dr. Gertie Arts, Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands – [email protected]

Prof. Beatrice Opeolu – CEO, BEE Solutions and Consultancy, Cape Town, South Africa. [email protected]

Prof. Manuela Morais – University of Evora, Portugal, [email protected]

Prof. Ana Isabel Faria Ribeiro – University of Lisbon, Portugal [email protected]

Prof. Iyeopu M. Siminialayi – Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria [email protected]

Agenda

13:00 PM – 13:05PM Welcome by [Chioma Blaise Chikere], [Head, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Extraordinary Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa]

13:05 PM – 13:15 PM Opening Remarks by [Iyeopu M. Siminialayi], [Deputy Vice -Chancellor, Research and Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria]

13:15 PM – 13:30 PM Keynote Address -Speaker: [Ana Ribeiro], [Director, Tropical College (CTROP), University of Lisbon, Portugal] -Topic: [The Need for Inclusive Collaborations Across Borders and Continents in Global Higher Education Space]

13:30 PM – 14:00 PM | Session 1: [Linkage between African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations SDGs for cross-continental collaborations and partnerships] -Moderator: [Beatrice Opeolu], [CEO, BEE Solutions and Consultancy, Cape Town, South Africa] -Panelists: [Iyeopu M. Siminialayi], [Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria] [Gertie Arts], [Senior Ecologist and Ecotoxicologist, Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands] [Ana Ribeiro], [Director, Tropical College (CTROP), University of Lisbon, Portugal] [Manuela Morais], [Director, Water Laboratory, University of Evora, Portugal] [Chioma Blaise Chikere], [Head, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria]

14:00 PM – 14:30 PM | Session 2: [Benefits and Contributions of Inclusive International Mobilities to Science-Based Solutions in Africa] – Moderator: [Chioma Blaise Chikere], [Head, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria] – Panelists: [Ana Ribeiro], [Director, Tropical College (CTROP), University of Lisbon, Portugal] [Manuela Morais], [Director, Water Laboratory, University of Evora, Portugal] [Iyeopu M. Siminialayi], [Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria] [Gertie Arts], [Senior Ecologist and Ecotoxicologist, Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands] [Beatrice Opeolu], [CEO, BEE Solutions and Consultancy, Cape Town, South Africa]

14:30 PM – 15:00 PM Closing Remarks and Q & A -Facilitator: [Chioma Blaise Chikere], [Head, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria] Open floor for questions

Details

1:00 pm - 3:15 pm EDT
Issues

Organizer

Science Summit