Inrtoduction to B4FA media dialogue workshop More at b4fa.org

1. Biosciences for Farming in Africa
Media Fellowship Programme
Round 2
Training Course Outline

2. Welcome
Dr Bernie Jones
B4FA Project Director

3. B4FA – The Project
• 3 years long
• Encourage dialogue and understanding
– Biosciences
– Farming
– Africa

4. Funders
• John Templeton Foundation
– focus on the big questions of human purpose and ultimate reality. The
Foundation takes a particular interest in how major advances in
genetics might serve to empower individuals, leading to spiritually
beneficial social and cultural changes.
• Malaysia Commonwealth Studies Centre
– focuses on affordable education, affordable healthcare, sustainable
development, food security, mitigating climate change, the promotion
of electoral democracy and good governance.

5. Sir John Templeton
1912 – 2008
• As a pioneer in both financial investment and philanthropy,
the late Sir John Templeton spent a lifetime encouraging open-mindedness
• In 1999, Money magazine called him -
"arguably the greatest global stock picker of the century"
• Sir John's passing was marked by Nature:
Templeton was a deeply spiritual, although unorthodox, individual. He lived a life
firmly rooted in the Christian traditions of modesty and charity. Yet he was also a
great admirer of science....which led him to form his foundation in 1987

6. But first…
A welcome from the leader of our project…
Professor Sir Brian Heap FRS

8. Project Rationale
• Philanthropic objectives of our funders
• Global factors
• Population growth, climate change, food security
• National importance of agriculture in Africa
• Opportunity for socioeconomic development
• “Missed” green revolution

9. What green revolution?

10. What’s happening on the
ground?
• Lots of
• Research Initiatives
• Development Projects
• But
• Low/irregular funding
• Little dialogue and public understanding
• Disinformation

11. B4FA
• Insights
• Media Development Fellowships
• Series of studies on agricultural extension
services and innovation farms
• Finding synergies with others

12. Course Expectations
• Introduction to plant breeding, genetics, and agricultural
biotechnologies
• Networking and dialogue with African experts and
practitioners
• Discussion of the regulatory and commercial aspects of
biotech and crop improvement
• Practical sessions and field trips
• Reminder of fundamentals of science journalism
• Opportunities to practice journalistic techniques and skills in
mentored environment

13. Follow-up
• After this training course?
– Fellowship is ongoing!
• Our expectations of you?
– Engage in discussions, networking and other activities
– Write/broadcast more about the issues, and let us know about it

14. Housekeeping
• Format of each day
• PLEASE no mobiles or emails in sessions
• Be on time – we cannot wait
• Attend all sessions
• Expenses settlement on final afternoon
• Prizes awarded at end of course
• Use free time for interviews, discussions etc

15. Introductions
Over to You!
2013 fellows, 2012 alumni, experts, staff