ISAAA AfriCenter and her partners, in August 2023, launched the Africa Science Dialogue portal, an inclusive and interactive platform that provides factual, verifiable and credible information about science, technologies and innovations in agriculture, health, and the environment. The launch formed one of the key outcomes from the 5th edition of the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC) symposium held in Nairobi from 22nd – 24rd August, 2023.
The portal brings fresh impetus in the fight against misinformation on agricultural bio-innovations in Africa. Through fact-checking mechanisms, the hub will eradicate the dangers of misinformation which include delayed decision making, as well as fears and mistrusts, from use of scary images, about biotechnologies.
Delegates at the conference called on state and non-state actors to leverage on the Africa Science Dialogue to do fact-checking and address the challenge of misinformation on NBTs. “I challenge all stakeholders to actively engage through this hub,” said Hon. Dr. John Mutunga, the Chair of Kenya’s National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. “Let us be careful not to make it another platform for scientific discourse; let us ensure it becomes a facilitative platform for acceptance of agricultural bio-innovations,” he added.
“The Africa Science Dialogue also provides a portal for journalists to access real images on agri-innovations thus helping frame an accurate narrative of NBTs,” ISAAA AfriCenter Director and ABBC co-convener Dr. Margaret Karembu explained.
The symposium was attended by 180 delegates from 23 countries and presided over by Kenya’s Agriculture Minister Hon. Mithika Linturi. The delegates comprised scientists, biosafety regulators, policy makers, science communicators and media editors, industry players, young researchers, lawyers and farmer representatives.
To register and be part of the Africa Science Dialogue community, visit https://afriscidialogue.org/