The devastating drought in the Horn of Africa points to the impact of climate change on those most dependent on agricultural and natural resources. African democracy institute Idasa believes it is essential to work with those directly engaged in agriculture as they are best placed to inform and shape climate change interventions.
In preparation for the COP17, to be held in Durban in December 2011, Idasa’s Small-holder Agriculture project will hold a series of conversations between key policy-makers, business, civil society, academics, researchers and small-holder farmers. The roundtable discussions will culminate in an African conference to be held on the side-lines of the COP17.
Evidence from hard-hit countries such as Mozambique, Ethiopia and Somalia, that are experiencing the negative impacts of climate change and whose situation is only likely to worsen, suggests that some people have adopted alternative livelihoods as a way of dealing with new realities.
Idasa acknowledges that farmers know best the current and likely future impacts of climate change on agriculture and plan to launch a series of conversation on an African approach to the need for global, regional and national strategies for finding clean energy solutions.
The first discussion is on ‘Africa and the Green Economy; Crucial Conversations’ and the aim is to ensure greater citizen participation in African climate change governance.
This will be held at Idasa’s Kutlwanong Democracy Centre, in Pretoria on Tuesday, 16th August from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The discussion aims to place the concerns of African small-holder farmers at the centre of discussions on possible scenarios. The broad objective is to make climate change and its governance every citizen’s concern.
Idasa is an independent public interest organisation committed to building sustainable democratic societies in collaboration with African and global partners.
For more information contact: Leslie Nyagah on 012 392 0621 or lnyagah@idasa.org.za