News & Notices
International
Conference on the Role of Chemistry in Sustainable Agriculture and Human
Well-being in Africa to be held at Stellenbosch University, South Africa
release
9 Apr 2007
For the first time in history, one of the prestigious CHEMRAWN Conferences
will be held in South Africa. From 2 to 5 December 2007, CHEMRAWN XII,
titled The Role of Chemistry in Sustainable Agriculture and Human
Well-being in Africa, will take place at Stellenbosch University
in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
The conference is part of the CHEMRAWN
series of conferences. CHEMRAWN,
or CHEMical Research Applied to World Needs, is a standing committee
of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
The conference has already attracted recognised scientists as speakers
and workshop presenters from various African countries and elsewhere.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Pedro Sanchez, a former
recipient of the World Food Prize and currently the director of Tropical
Agriculture at the Earth Institute, Columbia University.
The scientific programme will focus on improving the quality of life
of the peoples of Africa through the provision of adequate food, with
specific attention to the role of chemistry. The goals of the programme
include:
- to come to a better understanding of sustainable agriculture in
Africa in a globalised market;
- to develop a systems approach to optimising food provision in Africa;
- to utilise high technology, including green chemistry, in ensuring
food security in Africa;
- to highlight chemistry as a core science in food security in Africa;
- to take advantage of agricultural produce from Africa as a source
of high value and niche products; and
- to promote science-based capacity development at universities as
a prerequisite for food security in Africa.
The conference organisers endeavour to attract top scientists, research
students, industrialists, and policymakers involved in the food chain
in Africa to the conference and to ensure that the findings of the conference
are well communicated and acted upon.
Prof. Pieter Steyn, chairperson of the conference organising committee,
says: The holding of CHEMRAWN XII is most timely, as evidenced
by recent events. The provision of safe and adequate food is very high
on the political and economic agenda in Africa. The proposed scientific
programme coincides with Africas Science and Technology Consolidated
Plan of Action, the decisions of the recent African Union Summit on
Science, Technology and Research for Africas socioeconomic development,
and the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda.
Themes to be covered during the course of the conference include:
- African agriculture in a global context: chemistry as the enabler;
- adequate, safe and affordable food for Africa;
- the safe development and application of biotechnology in agricultural
production;
- securing and sustaining water and soil quality for agricultural
production;
- technologies to reduce post-harvest food loss;
- the role of chemicals in sustainable agriculture;
- value-added and niche chemicals from agricultural produce; and
- the role of agriculture in building a sustainable energy base.
Delegates to CHEMRAWN XII will not only enjoy the scientific programme
on offer, but also the rich cultural diversity and natural beauty that
have placed Stellenbosch and Cape Town among the worlds top tourist
destinations.
Interested persons are invited to visit the conference website at www.chemrawn.co.za,
or to contact Ms Christelle Snyman (tel.: +27 21 938 9245, fax: +27
21 933 2649, e-mail: [email protected])
for more information.