The Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology and the network of Biotechnology Information Centers meet annually to discuss communication activities and accomplishments for the past year,
update each other on communication strategies and techniques, and plan activities for the coming year. This year the Philippine Biotechnology Information Center (BIC) officially known as the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) BIC played host to this gathering of science communication experts. The workshop sessions were held at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel. Participants visited farmers’ biotech corn fields in Mexico, Pampanga to enable them to see the impact of the technology. A side trip to Los Banos, Laguna was done to enable new BIC staff to see ISAAA headquarters as well as partner agencies.
Participants A total of 18 participants from Bangladesh, China (3), Egypt, Kenya (2), India, Indonesia, Malaysia (2), Pakistan (2), Philippines (2), Thailand (2), and Vietnam and five ISAAA staff attended the three-day meeting. New BIC staff from China, Malaysia, and Vietnam attended the meeting for the first time. Appendix A is a list of participants and contact details.
Program (See Appendix B)
Day 1
The morning session was highlighted by a Skype conference with Dr. Clive James. The participants introduced themselves to Dr. James and to the rest of the group. Dr. James expressed his warm welcome and well wishes for the meeting ahead. He noted the excellent work done by ISAAA’s knowledge sharing network in 2008 and commended its growth despite the initial doubts of the Board about its role in the overall organizational framework. He discussed the general global scenario of biotech and the crucial role of the information network in contributing to affordable food, tackling climate change, and contributing to the alleviation of poverty. Five areas of concern were
presented for the network’s consideration:
• Balance number of BICs in the global network. There is a need to increase presence of BICs in Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. Several countries and possible host institutions were mentioned which the network could consider.
• Aim for the growth of CBU subscribers by 1.5 M by 2015. This can be achieved by working with learning institution, setting-up satellites in specific countries,providing incentives/promotions; and asking subscribers to nominate at least one new potential subscriber.
• Enhance/optimize number of impressions of the Annual Review Brief to 1.5 B by 2015. The ISAAA tracking system can expedite the capture of impressions particularly from local sources.
• Strengthen links between the ISAAA website and the BIC websites. The translation of ISAAA materials into local languages can increase their reach to stakeholders. BICs can select certain themes such as drought tolerance, Bt rice, insect resistance, Golden Rice and use materials from the ISAAA website. The BICs should provide a link on their respective websites to the ISAAA website.
• Translate the highlights in 50 languages. Translations of the Highlights in local languages should be done.
Dr. James stressed the “new” mandate of ISAAA as “Knowledge, Technology, and Poverty Alleviation.” He noted that the growing focus on knowledge sharing required ISAAA to take a more significant role in his endeavor instead of merely taking the technology transfer route. Dr. James ended the dialogue wishing a successful meeting and looked forward to commitments from the
BICs with regards the five areas of concern.
Drs. Mariechel Navarro and Randy Hautea gave remarks to the group where both stressed the formidable role the network had to play in meeting targets by 2015. A workshop overview by Jenny Panopio followed.
A 24-minute video of the ISAAA global status report 2008 produced by ISAAA South Asia Office was presented. Mariechel Navarro then presented the accomplishments of the KC in 2008 clarifying that details of KC outputs such as the mailing list, website development, and CBU will be tackled separately in Day 3 by the other KC staff. A video on Bt Brinjal developed by the South Asia Office was shown showcasing the first
potential food biotech crop to be commercialized in India. During the coffee break, the15 minute video “Q & A with Dr. Clive James” was shown focusing on issues about ISAAA.
Ten-minute presentations of 2008 accomplishments were presented by the BICs with an allotment for open forum. Highlights of the presentations were:
• China – Judy Wang showed the activities of the BIC noting the increase in the number of subscribers to the Chinese version of the CBU. The BIC made translations of the CBU which were posted in their website and made printed copies for distribution. Future activities include the holding of a media workshop among others and increased contribution of articles to the CBU.3
• India – Bhagirath Choudhary presented the different outputs of the BIC notably the three videos (Bt brinjal, ISAAA global status report, and Q & A with Clive James), a Brief on Bt brinjal, Trust in the Seed monograph, and sections for the Annual Review. An article on Bt cotton was also co-authored with Dr. James for publication in Springer-Verlag. The BIC published the most number of articles in
the CBU and has promised to increase the number of subscribers.
• Malaysia – Mahaletchumy Arujanan discussed the different workshops and seminars it organized with partner organizations. Other outputs include a blog on biotechnology which has registered a growing clientele. The BIC director was` invited to attend numerous international fora recognizing MABIC’s knowledge sharing initiatives in Malaysia. For 2009, the BIC plans to hold 26 events with
partner organizations, targeting many different stakeholders.
• Indonesia – Dewi Suryani gave insights on the BIC’s activities in disseminating crop biotech information. A successful activity was a writing contest which resulted in an increase in the number of articles published in newspapers. The BIC contributed to the CBU and regularly translates it for posting in their website.
• East and Central Africa – Margaret Karembu presented the science communication activities for Africa including that of Mali and Burkina Faso in West Africa. She stressed the contributory role of the BIC in getting Kenya’s Biosafety Law approved by the President. A video produced by AfriCenter on
their activities was shown highlighting government support to biotechnology. The diverse culture and languages in Africa provide opportunity to establish new BIC nodes within the continent.
• Pakistan – Amrina Habib discussed the BIC’s communication activities with stakeholders particularly its networking with key partners. The Islamic proposal for knowledge sharing in biotechnology in the Islamic countries has been forwarded to funding agencies. Activities planned for 2009 include regional activities with Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Philippines – an animated Powerpoint was shown by Jenny Panopio which zeroed in on its activities with various audiences. The BIC continues to be a credible source of biotechnology news in the Philippines utilizing its website and e-newsletter. It collaborated with biotech-related agencies in conducting numerous biotech activities within the country, cutting through diverse stakeholders.
• Thailand – Suyin Patarapuwadol introduced an animated Powerpoint synthesizing the outreach activities of the BIC. Utilizing the website, the BIC was able to reach increased number of viewers who access the Thai version of the CBU. The BIC also submitted the most number of subscribers to the CBU mailing list.
• Vietnam – Nguyen Phuong Ha outlined the BIC’s activities such as their efforts to increase readers of its translated ISAAA materials. They also conducted a writing contest participated by students from national universities. Although internet accessibility is still a problem in Vietnam, the BIC is hopeful to reach their committed target for 2009.
• Bangladesh – Khondoker Nasiruddin discussed the various seminars and workshops that it helped organize. Pictures of the activities were presentedfeaturing highly regarded scientists in Bangladesh who support biotech. The BIC regularly translatesthe CBU and posts it in their website. They have also translated materials of the Brief for distribution.
• Egypt – Ismail Abdel Hamid presented the activities of EBIC notably the seminars the BIC helped to organize.. He also showed samples of media articles generated by the Brief 39 launch in Egypt, including a TV interview with Dr. James.
• Spain – A representative of the BIC was unable to come but a Powerpoint presentation of accomplishments was sent. A copy was included among the materials burned in a USB drive for distribution to all participants.
A one-on-one dialogue with individual BICs was held in the evening to tackle work accomplishments, problems met, funding donor expectations and deliverables.
