Theme: Talking the Science We All Live
1.0 Introduction:
The Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA) is organizing a science communication conference as one of its activities aimed at developing science communication in Uganda. The conference, to be held in November 2008, will bring together over 500 journalists, scientists, researchers and communication experts from different parts of the world.
This concept note highlights the objectives and expected outcomes of the conference.
2.0 Background
The Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA) is a non-profit making organization of journalists, communication officers, scientists and researchers working to develop science communication in Uganda. It was founded in 2005 and current membership is 54.The USJA is a member of the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ)
Its Vision is a Ugandan community that is conscious of science and is able to benefit from and transfer scientific knowledge to other communities and generations.
The USJA’s mission is to simplify scientific information and popularize science among Ugandans.
Specific objectives of the USJA are:
1) To enhance the quality of reporting of Science and technology through providing journalists and scientists with training opportunities in science communication;
2) To provide a forum through which scientists and journalists can discuss the development of science in Uganda in particular and the World in general;
3) To provide a professional link for journalists and scientists;
4) To carry out programmes and projects that will make science popular among students at different academic levels.
Uganda’s National Development Objectives include poverty eradication, industrialization, agricultural modernisation, increased productivity, employment creation, value addition and gender mainstreaming – all of which are enshrined in the country’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP)
The goal of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy for Uganda is to strengthen national capability to generate, transfer, and apply technologies; and to ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources for the realization of the national objectives.
In support of the National Development Objectives and the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and in line with its objectives, the USJA is organizing the “Uganda Conference for Science Communication 2008” to be held in Kampala … November 2008.
The conference, which is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, will offer an opportunity to journalists, scientists, researchers, communication experts and other stakeholders to discuss and share experiences on the development of science and science communication in Uganda, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the world in general.
It will offer insights into science and technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, using Uganda as a case study, but also with selected cases from the rest of the region. Themes to be covered include:
* Health
* Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
* Environment
* Agriculture
* Climate Change
* Construction
* Manufacturing
* Mining
* Other areas related to science and technology.
In addition, specialists in science communication will deliver lectures on how to communicate science and technology related issues to appeal to different audiences.
The conference will advocate for joint action of journalists, communication experts and scientists on using science and technology to achieve socio-economic development in the world’s poorest countries. In that respect, the conference will formally launch the USJA, the association’s website (www.scienceuganda.org), and a quarterly science and technology magazine published for the general public.
The Uganda Conference for Science Communication shall henceforth be a biennial event. It will be held every year that precedes the World Conference of Science Journalists, with the intention of feeding some of its outcomes and lessons learnt into the world conference. The next World Conference of Science Journalists will be held in London in 2009.
3.0 Objectives of the Uganda Conference for Science Communication
* Build capacity of journalists, communication officers and scientists in communicating science and technology issues.
* Provide a forum for science and research organizations, as well as individuals, to disseminate information including recent study findings.
* Provide a networking opportunity for journalists, communication officers, researchers, scientists and other stakeholder in science and technology fields
* Increase coverage and improve quality of science and technology stories in the mainstream media including Radio, Television, Internet and Print media.
* Launch the Uganda Science Journalists Association
* Launch a quarterly science and technology magazine for Uganda
* Launch the USJA website www.scienceuganda.org
4.0 Output
* Better understanding of effective science communication by participants
* New scientific findings and general information disseminated to the public
* Increased interaction of scientist, researchers and journalists
* Increase in quality and quantity of science and technology stories in the mainstream media
* USJA, www.scienceuganda.org, and Science and Technology quarterly magazine for Uganda launched.
5.0 Activities and duration:
* Presentations by selected participants on topics relating science and technology to socio-economic development
* Lectures on effective science communication by experts
* Press conferences on topical issues such as climate change, HIV/AIDS, Biotechnology and others
* Exhibition
* Entertainment
* Annual General Meeting of the USJA
* Launch of USJA, www.scienceuganda.org and Science and Technology quarterly magazine for Uganda
6.0 Target Participation and Impacts
Participants
* Scientists and science institutions
* Journalists and media houses
* Researchers
* Industrialists
* Universities
* Science Teachers
* Secondary Schools
* Information officers
* Other stakeholders
Impact
Improved living for members of the public through availed and simplified scientific information: The conference will highlight and educate people on important science and technology issues such as climate change, biofuels, use of DDT, water, forestry, HIV/AIDS and malaria
Improved communication skills of journalists, helping to better their expression of issues: The conference will give journalists skills in science communication; they will have an opportunity to learn new scientific findings and report on them; they will interact with scientists and build their contact lists; media houses will benefit from the improved quality of reporting science and technology. The conference will improve scientists and researchers’ communication skills, and enhance information dissemination
The conference also offers scientists a chance to exhibit their information and also present new findings to the public
7.0 Conference management
The conference will be managed by a conference organizing committee, comprising of members of the USJA executive and individuals appointed by the executive basing on their technical ability and experience.
The executive committee takes the overall responsibility, doing effective monitoring and supervision, and giving accountability to the members of the association and financers of the conference.
An assessment form will be provided at the end of the conference to help in assessing the immediate impact of the event. This and other parameters will be based upon in designing future science communication conferences.
For more information please contact
Henry Lutaaya
[email protected]
256752863156
OR
William Odinga Balikuddembe
[email protected]
256772881727
Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA)
Plot 1600, Block 221 Naalya-Kampala.
P.O.Box 16569 Wandegeya
Tel: 256414240298
Email: [email protected]
