MESHA puts a strong bid to host the 2011 World Conference of Science Journalists

 

NAIROBI , June 23, 2009

The Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA) has pulled a first among associations from four countries that are competing to host the 7th World Conference of Science Journalists in 2011. As a statement on the growth of science journalism in the developing world, three of the bidders, Egypt , Kenya and Uganda , are from the developing world. The fourth bid is from Finland .

According to the bidding team, which comprises seasoned journalists and science communicators from the country, the Kenya government through the National Council of Science and Technology, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) are among the leading organizations who are MESHA's bidding partners. The others include the Kenya Correspondents Association, The African Conservation Centre, Journalists of Environmental Association of Tanzania, Internews, Science Africa, the National Museums of Kenya , Scientific Tourism and the Kenya National Academy of Sciences. Others who committed to support the Conference are long time MESHA associates African Population Research Centre (APHRC). Biotechnology Trust Africa and KeNAAM also joined the list of partners willing to work with MESHA to ensure that conference is held in sub-Saharan Africa .

Mr Otula Owuor, himself a veteran science journalist and MESHA's patron, states in his opening remarks that Africa , more than any other region deserves to host the 2011 World Conference of Science Journalists. The continent needs all communication skills of serious science journalists to help create awareness on the importance of various aspects of science as one of the major driving forces needed to overcome innumerable development problems. He added that holding the WCSJ2011 in Kenya could increase collaboration and encourage more non-African journalists to develop some appropriate interest in covering “African issues” that seem to lack or are highlighted minimally in the major global mass media. Other regions have had their chance and it will provide a much needed unique experience if the 2011 conference to come to Africa .

 

In their letter of support, the Kenya Wildlife Service noted that hosting the 2011 Conference would enable us to build on existing links and develop the networks we have already built as well as start new relationships. “It would also help rally the world around one of our critically endangered water catchment areas, the Mau Complex which serves a significant part of the region including Sudan , Uganda , right up to Egypt through the Nile ”.

 

MESHA will present its bid on June 29, 2009.

 

Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA)

The Arab Science Journalists' Association (ASJA) has partnered with the United States ' National Association of Science Writers (NASW) to present the first ever joint bid between two associations to host a World Conference of Science Journalists. The conference would be held in Cairo .

 

The Arab Science Journalists' Association	National Association of Science Writers

From Helsinki ( Finland ), the Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalists (FASEJ) proposes to host the 2011 Conference at the University of Helsinki City Campus from 28th June to 2nd July 2011.

 

Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalists

And the Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA), one of the first two African bids, is determined to host the Conference in March or April 2011, in Kampala .

 

Uganda Science Journalists Association

You are most welcome to hear the arguments of the four bidders when they present to the Board of the World Federation, on Monday 29th June from 1600 to 1745 in the Ondaatje Lecture Theatre at the Royal Geographical Society, in South Kensington, London , UK .

The Board of the World Federation of Science Journalists will announce the winning bid and the location of the 2011 World Conference during the WFSJ General Assembly, Wednesday 1st July at 1630 in the John Tudor room, 2nd floor of the Conference venue, Central Hall Westminster, during the 6th World Conference of Science Journalists, beginning 29th June 2009, in London, United Kingdom.