Eco-Ethics International Union
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EEIU Eco-Ethics International Union Internet: www.eeiu.org Email: |
Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics (ESEP)
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EEIU Nabuur Reports & Letters - Archive 2009Home, EEIU NabuurReports & Letters, EEIU NabuurPublicationsEthical Implications of Climate Change to Sustainable Tourism Abstract for Ecotourism Kenya Conference on Climate Change and Sustainable Tourism Management to be held at the K.I.C.C. Nairobi (27 -28 November, 2009) It is slightly unscientific to relate climate change and tourism as interactive concepts, though reality clearly divides the influence that both have on each other. Climate Change being defined as a change in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years, could be a change in the average weather or a change in the distribution of weather events around an average (for example, greater or fewer extreme weather events). Climate change may therefore be limited to a specific region, or may occur across the whole Earth. On the other hand, tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. Tourists are people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited. To this end, changes in climate might as well affect the capacity of traveling as Climate Change relates to new diseases, inaccessibility and loss of vegetation if not threat of extinction to some identified species, all of which attract the human psyche for travel, leisure and enjoyment. To this end, tourism is a domain within the hospitality industry, wherein tourist management refers to the running/administration of travel and tourism-related business. This paper argues that tourism management is nature oriented (including control of but not limited to Heritage Attractions, Arts and Cultural Attractions, Industrial Attractions, City Based Attractions, Retail Attractions, Natural Attractions) which could easily be destroyed by drastic change in weather patterns. Thus, in order to respond to climate change, we must all embrace sustainable tourism, which is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems. Sustainable development implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. And this corresponds to the advocacy that tour operators must spearhead to be able to enjoy sustained business in future. This paper maintains that climate change will not only affect the ability to travel, but will also affect the ability to enjoy and appreciate the aesthetic value of our communities. Whereas all these could be stopped given that advocacy is a tool, and sustainable tourism is a major component of tourism management. Tourism is vital for many countries, such as the U.A.E, Egypt, Greece and Thailand, and many island nations, such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives and the Seychelles, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxis, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, various music venues and the theatre. Mr.Boaz Adhengo is a Fellow at Eco Ethics International Union and the regional chair for EEIU East Africa. He has a M.A. degree in International Relations from the United States International University, Nairobi Campus and has extensively published in the field of Eco Ethics. He is the author of Climate Change, Regionalism and Development: Perspectives from East Africa, London, Lulu Books(2009a) and the editor of the Balozi Journal at EEIU East Africa. Attempting to have a World Philosophy? Since 2003, Mr. Boaz Adhengo has been facilitating the World Philosophy Day on behalf of UNESCO here in Kenya, and from 2006, this has been done through the Institute for African Ecology and Philosophy, which now hosts the EEIU Nabuur/Morogoro head office dubbed EEU East Africa. Philosophy has once been defined as the rational investigation of questions about existence, knowledge and ethics. According to A.C. Grayling, Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Adhengo distinguishes philosophy from other ways of addressing these questions (such as mysticism or mythology) by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on reasoned argument. Thus, relates it well with what Eco-Ethics as a concept, tries to identify. Ethics in its general meaning is simply the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group. When we put it specifically as eco-ethics, then, we define eco-ethics as a code of conduct that promotes the goodness of humanity through virtuous distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct. It is based on evolution of life in an environmentally friendly way. On this note, and as at the current progress, the Eco Ethics International Union tries to promote the development of eco-ethics concepts and adaptation of its thesis as the only way to make humanity survive in this world of chance. This will require making reason a choice of action, and we should embrace the philosophical approach of all chances we have. EEIU Nabuur will therefore host the World Philosophy Day 2009 event here in Kenya as mandated by the Institute for African Ecology and Philosophy on behalf of UNESCO. The key areas of focus will be: Eco-feminism, Philosophy and Culture, Philosophy and the Environment, Philosophy and Youth, and lastly Philosophy and Eco - Ethics. Dr. Grace Rawago is the Director of Publications and Communications at the Institute for African Ecology and Philosophy. She is also the Projects Coordinator for the Leah Foundation, the official sponsor of EEIU Nabuur since 2008. A look at EEIU OnCampus EEIU Stands Up Against Poverty In line with our ongoing efforts to make eco-ethics an acceptable concept to the communities, other issues still remain vibrant in the progress of innovative initiatives. Poverty is the mainstream idea that relates well to how individuals interact as a nation or as a specific interest grouping. In this regard, our projects to the community have in the past been limited due to incapability and lack of capacity by those to whom we reach out for, to become participant in our mission and vision. To this effect, we have in this date (October 16, 2009) joined the United Nations in Standing Up Against Poverty, the EEIU On Campus group did this by putting on paper caps that are red in color and discussing the fate of their own rural communities from whence they have firsthand experience. We hope that the professionalism so developed through t he Young Diplomats Forum with assistance by the Jahwar Amber Trust Fund will propel our chapter into organizing and inventing a thesis that is workable, acceptable and people oriented.
EEIU on Campus Wins an Award It is a happy celebration for the young members of EEIU Nabuur who were recognized as the most upcoming Club at the United States International University on the 25th of July, 2009. We anticipated to let you know the good news but too much joy has slowed the process of notification. Thus, to honour the award, we were invited to the Nation Media Group Offices in order to develop a comprehensive discussion on how we could influence the media or rather how the media influences diplomacy. EEIU On Campus goes by the name Young Diplomats Forum at the United States International University, and we are taking this name regional after the upcoming conference. Our members have been inducted on how to use the media in outreach, they were taken on a tour on how news is made, how graphics are utilized and how business assists in development of volunteer drives.
EEIU Nabuur Poster now available EEIU NABUUR CALL FOR PAPERS: Conference Main ThemePeace, Justice and Education: Challenges for Political Change About the Organizations Hosting the Conference Conference Details More information available here. Celebrating Outreach and Literacy It is now almost one year since our On Campus Initiative was launched at the University of Nairobi and later at the United States International University. To mark this victory and accomplishment, we have decided to launch the 'Balozi Journal' as a forum for our students to engage in publishing well researched eco ethics thesis, views and papers. The journal shall be edited by the chairs of Morogoro and Nabuur at EEIU, and this will bring our next strategy of expanding to Tanzania Universities (University of Dar - es - Salaam and Sokoine University) a real project for the regional office. The Balozi Journal adds to the two books already released by Boaz Adhengo (and are available for download). We remain grateful to Lulu Books for offering a platform for publishing our ideas, and we intend to strengthen this progress by even producing more literature for our members and affiliates. Click the cover to download.
The Young Diplomats Forum has embarked on a process of organising seminars and workshops that point toward a greater conference scheduled for November 2009.We also hope that this conference will be an ideal platform to launch the Young Diplomats Forum - Kenya, that will be a major tool in organising our on campus outreach within the youth and students (in high school and universities). Balozi Journal is more concerned with diplomatic issues relating to our environment. The articles include ideas from Journalism, International Relations, Business Administration, Computer Science and Medicine. EEIU Nabuur - ESEA Joint Venture into Ecologism and Ethics The Ecological Society for Eastern Africa (ESEA) is an East African, not-for-profit, networking organization, bringing together individuals and institutions participating in ecological research and application of ecological science to development in East Africa (www.ecsea.org ). Amidst a variety of objectives, it has a mission to promote sustainable development through high quality research, education, technological innovations, and information and resource sharing. This relates well with the aims EEIU holds of developing the conceptional basis of eco-ethics, bringing eco-ethics to the attention of many people worldwide, and at implementing eco-ethics in human behavior, politics and economics. We thus find a complete need to relate with ESEA as the regional office for EEIU activities in East Africa....... Young Diplomats Forum - The EEIU On Campus Visit to K.W.S. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) was established in 1990. It manages the biodiversity of the country, protecting and conserving the flora and fauna. Its mission statement reads "To sustainably conserve and manage Kenya's wildlife and its habitat in collaboration with stakeholders for posterity"....... Please download the full document to read more.
EEIU NABUUR IN JINJA Jinja lies in the south east of Uganda, 54 miles (87 km) north east of the capital, Kampala. It is located on the shores of Lake Victoria and is the second largest town in Uganda. The city is the chief town of Jinja District, and is considered the capital of the Kingdom of Busoga. Jinja is a major station on the Uganda Railway and is a port for Lake Victoria ferries. From the early 1900s access to the railway was by ferry to the railhead at Kisumu (Kenya). It was not until the 1930s that the track was extended into Uganda. At our visit, we got into detailed arguments as to where the true source of River Nile lies, whether it is in Jinja (following the beautiful landscape) or it is in Burundi (from the Ruwenzori Mountains). The River Nile is in Africa. It originates in Burundi, south of the equator, and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the Mediterranean Sea. The largest source of the Nile is Lake Victoria and it is the longest river in the world (approximately 6,695 kilometers). EEIU Nabuur has had interest in expanding towards Uganda and following up on our initial conferences in this area. The need for ecological ethics is endemic, and the only possible route to tackle this agenda is by beginning at those areas close to home. Jinja is the immediate rail stop from Busia. It is therefore not far from our stable projects in Kisumu and Bondo area here in Kenya. The surprising fact of this locality is that many of the people are agriculturally oriented, rainfall seems to be higher than in most parts of Kenya and irrigation is well structured making Uganda food secure (at least from seeing). We hope that our advocacy on the need by the locals to join Eco Ethics International Union will not fall on deaf ears. They have agreed to contact Ms. Penny Kuhn on the formalities for being an affiliate organisation. We hope to strengthen our regional outreach.
Attempting the Ultimate: The Kenyan Positivism Click here to download the full pdf. (7MB) EEIU Nabuur - May Report EEIU Nabuur Participates at the IEK International Conference On "Food, Water and Energy Security: Engineering Challenges of the 21st Century" at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi (22nd - 24th April 2009). The meeting began with a word of safety from the hotel management assuring participants of comfort and pleasure at our memorable gathering. The chief guest was not able to be on time, thus, the EEIU Nabuur Chair was requested to take charge and deliver a key - note speech as outlined in the programme. Prof. Eng. P. Wambua of Moi University presented a paper on "Industrialization and Poverty Eradication through Composites Manufacturing". He identified that third world countries suffer from hunger due to poverty. Wealth is created in the manufacturing sector where use of local materials and value addition are emphasized. He concerned his topic with manufacturing composite materials e.g. chairs, parts of aeroplanes, cylinders and bicycles. Ellise Pinner of Vetiver Network International; an organization of bioengineering registered in the U.S.A. with chapters in 100+ countries presented a paper on "Vetiver Grass", its basic principle for slope stabilization, water flow reduction, dissipitation and infiltration. She explained how the projects have faired in China, that the grass is planted at the edge of river banks and have shown the capacity to reduce soil erosion. Also, the plant has capacity to absorb metals from the water thereby making it useful for water purification. Its roots are stronger than tree roots and capable of reaching down to 2-3m in plant soil. Vetiver is not invasive, as in, a weed. The Chief guest walked in, Hon. Henry Kosgey, Minister for Industrialisation, Government of Kenya. He was introduced by the CEO, of Bamburi Cement, the chief sponsor of the conference. Noticing that world evolution has brought the need of engineering to human life. Eng. M.S.M. Kamau, the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Roads and Public Works; and the chair of Engineers Registration Board explained how his board had the mandate to approve all curricular tought at the universities. That engineering has to be seen as a business other than part time professionalism. Francis Ngokonyo, Chair of the Institute of Engineers of Kenya, elaborated how the theme of the conference was carefully chosen to address human problems as challenged in 21 century. That there is a global demand for food, there is need to look for alternative sources of energy that do not affect food production. Hon. Henry Kosgey, M. P. read a paper on behalf of the Prime Minister who was absent. Identifying that the conference comes in an opportune time to address most challenges for possible incorporation at the governments vision 2030. That Kenya is classified as water deficient country, and this lack of water is a threat to electric power, a vital commodity to the manufacturing sector. There is need to discuss water security. Industrialization is one of the key pillars to Kenya's vision 2030, hence the need for erecting linkages of industries and industrialization of ethical technologies. Eng. Naresh Mehta, Director of Power Techniques, also a sponsor to the conference, issued a presentation by showcasing a pyramid goal that had the components of engineering talent, team work, communication, opportunity and attitude. He focused more on how we should save energy other than waste by manufacturing better products e.g. energy saving bulbs. That quality is never an accident. Why is the cost of power so high in Kenya? Simply because we are using imported fuel to generate power which is expensive, there are no local sources. Congo has potentiality for power generation but how can it be tapped by other countries within the region? Eng. Nkanya of the Ministry for Agriculture gave another key note address on food security. Observing that water plays a key role in the economy as an urban and rural consumption for energy generation and agricultural development. There is no contradiction of Kenya being water scarce and being able to extract available water for proper use. There remains no clear policy that addresses issues of drought and climate change. The country is at a process of reviewing a national disaster strategy that recalls the dilemmas of the past. Eng. Richard Gaita presented a paper on "Shaping the future for Agriculture" noting that effects of Climate Change have reduced the reliability of rainfall in high and medium potential areas. With the population set to rise, there is urgent need to undertake very determined and urgent measures to ensure food security. Kenya has an estimated potential of 1.3 million ha. Annalise Jacobs of Grundfos Canada presented an issue on energy savings in pumping applications. The most detailed presentation was delivered by Prof. S.K. Makhanu from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. It was titled "Climate - Proof Engineering Design as Solutions to the Impact of Climate Change on Human Activities". Noting that the three pillars of human activities are mobile phone, computers and internet. Climate change is equated to a tiger for which engineers have to ride. The climae is changing and we should make our country climate proof. "Sanitation Technologies" was presented by David Kuria, the CEO of IKO Toilets and Ashoka Fellow. He argued that more than a third of Africa's population lack access to basic sanitation and in Kenya, approximately 15 million (46%) lack basic sanitation. One of the ideas they have, besides providing IKO toilets, is to revolutionize the people's perception about a toilet - appreciating sanitation and beauty of it. Kuria talked on how to conserve water through waterless urinals, dry toilets - self composting. That each IKO toilet supports ten youths in a descent employment. He emphasized Mahatma Gandhi during the India's struggle for independence, that "Sanitation is more important than independence". Dr. Joseph Adelegan, PhD from Nigeria gave his presentation under the title "Kilowatt from Cow Waste", observing that the waste from slaughtered cows is usually discharged through public drainage systems. Waste in itself contributes to 70% of Climate Change due to high level of methane generated. Thus, the solution is to innovate bio-digesters about 3000cm3 hence preventing surface water and ground water pollution. Eng. Soida Barasa gave the Kenyan experience of "Wealth from Waste" by defining biogas as methane gas, and shown how bio-digesters in Kibera slums were constructed enabling energy generation. A technology based on natures income and not on natures capital. Andrew Karuga gave a wonderful talk on "Bagasse Cogeneration" in Kenya, followed by Mr. Fundi Isaac who presented on solid waste management as a pre - requisite to ensuring sustainable environment, a process that entails; collection, transportation and disposal. He gave a case example of Kakamega municipality. Assistant Minister for Energy, Amb. Mahmood Farah gave a uniting speech. That energy is a pre - requisite for industrial and social developments which are major components of a country's economy. Energy security is the uninterrupted physical availability of energy to a particular environment. Most of Kenya's crude oil is imported from Nigeria and Middle East whereas distribution of refined petroleum is mainly by road. He noted that the levels of the dams are below expected heights, posing a great threat to hydro - power which is climate dependent. There is a project in Marsabit set up to distribute 300MW of electricity as generated from solar. Michael Kituu presented a "Simulation Model for Global Solar Radiation and Energy Harnessing by a Solar Tunnel Dryer" noting that the temperatures developed by this equipment are important. Global solar radiation is dependent on altitude, day of the year and hour of the day. In his study, models to predict global solar radiation ware developed and this enables control of the drying process. Boniface Kinyanjui talked on "Enhancing Energy Security in Kenya". That the volatility of oil prices is impacting negatively to many sectors, posing risks and uncertainties. There is need for demand focusting using proper methodologies i.e. informed opinion, time series, end - use and macro econometrics. The alternative sources of energy are biomass, wind and geothermal. We should consider energy as an infrastructure for sustainable development, design home - grown solutions to avoid external dependence. There is need to guard our environment jealously as championed EEIU. He gave his experience at the ISAR Nuclear power plant in Germany that generates 2307 MW. A wonderful paper that made most of the delegates awaken was the "Efficient land and Water Utilization for Irrigation in Arid and Semi - arid areas" as presented by Eng. Mwalimu K. Musau. He talked of his experience in Israel. That Israel is among the densely populated countries in the world (no. 24 in the atlas) with more than half as desert yet able to produce enough food for export, including to Kenya. Efficient water management has increased agricultural output (waster water recycling/reclamation). Half of water used for irrigation is recycled from sewage effluent. Israel has adopted the use of green houses for arid areas, though invention was intended for cooler climates in Europe. Arava desert produces wheat, barley and paster for sheep. Mwalimu notes that the arid and semi - arid parts of Kenya cannot be compared to Arava desert in Israel where temperatures are harsh (40ºc), thus it is possible for Kenya to address issues of food insecurity through proper land utilization and water management. The last paper was on "Science and Technology Park" defined as a real - estate based infrastructure devoted to conversion of R&D into technology based initiative. It challenged the brain-drain influence and advocated for brain-gain applications as practiced in Japan and China. The conference ended with a key note speech from the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, highlighting his experience as a land economist and warning that politics has no rules to be broken. That there is need to review most of our countries policy option for accommodation of professionals. IEK is the Institute for Kenya Engineers, founded in 1972 to promote professionalism. This conference was the annual programme, themed in line with the "Climate Change Crisis". EEIU was invited following the just released book by Mr. Boaz Adhengo on "Climate Change, Regionalism and Development: Perspectives from East Africa", his paper was titled "Food Safety and Food Security" and will form a chapter in his upcoming publication, the EEIU Book 2 - Attempting the Ultimate.
EEIU Nabuur - April Reports EEIU Nabuur Participates at the 3rd East African Health and Scientific Conference (25th - 27th March 2009). Prof. Nelson Sewankambo presented a paper on "Rethinking Health in a Changing Environment. He lectures at Makerere University (Uganda), College of Health Sciences. Of the most favourable quotations was his observation that 'whoever wishes to investigate medicine properly should proceed thus: in the first place consider the seasons of the year, and what effects each of them produces for they are not all alike". That climate change is an MDG issue (#7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability) but many of African countries have failed to engage enough resources in tackling issues of health. There is need for more money and more so, people who know what they are doing. Sewakambo recommends a three - fold approach: Act ethically and responsibly; more needs to be known - from health research to research for health; and Multi - sectoral engagement with community participation. Dr.Andrew Githeko of the Kenya Medical Research Institute -Center for Global Health Research - presented a paper on Climate Change and Human Health. He was concerned with the spread of viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases due to climate change, insisting that anthropods that transmit diseases cannot regulate their internal temperature. The warmer it is, the faster the parasite, bacteria and virus develops. Githeko observed that for many diseases, the lower range of transmission is between 14° - 18° C, highlighting that climate sensitive infections are Rift Valley Fever and Malaria as in the case for East Africa, Lyme Borreliosis as in the case of North America and West Nile Fever as in the case of Europe. The Vice President (Kenya), Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka talked of his experience at the Climate Change conferences in Buena thereby proving that the leadership knows of the problem, but prioritization of the agenda is still weak. He agreed that climate change is an MDG issue and informed that China has reported to be at par with the U.S.A. in terms of green house gas emissions. That Nairobi does not represent the true culture of Kenya, and visitors need to travel to other counties to really know what effects are in place. Dr. Kizito Lubano who was the conference coordinator gave an interesting talk on Climate Change: Global risk, Challenges and Decision. He identified that African countries are among most vulnerable states in the world due to high poverty level and heavy reliance on climate sensitive sectors. As much as many indicators of climate change have been highlighted, Kizito insisted that everyone of us adds to climate change through our different activities. The Minister for East African Community in Kenya, Hon. Kefa Kingi observed that as the EAC integration deepens, there comes a need for organisations within the region to work together and develop common agendas. The conference then broke into thematic sessions where EEIU Nabuur was represented at the seminars for Water and Sanitation; Climate Change and Food Security; Multi - Sectoral Collaborations and Partnerships; Environment and Health; HIV/AIDS; and Malaria symposium. After the EEIU Nabuur Chair presented his paper on "Ethical Implications of Climate Change on Food Security", the delegation was spread into the various units, to learn, explore and interact with other researchers from various organisations that were represented at the conference. Dr. Njoroge Kimani, a medical practitioner at the Kenyatta National Hospital made a presentation concerning "Environmental Pollution and Impact to Human Health" where he informed of the environmental toxicants thereby agreeing that all human beings at all ages are susceptible to environmental toxins, but the young, the elderly and those with compromised health due to illness are more vulnerable. In his case study report of Dandora (8km away from the city center and occupies about 30 acres of land) he noted that respiratory abnormalities are high. Appropriate interventions included : reduce waste generations, sort garbage at source and be advocates for safe environment. Ms. Keter L. K of KEMRI gave a preliminary study report of toxic heavy metals in a Kenyan herbal medicine. She observed that the popularity and availability of the traditional remedies have generated concerns regarding safety, efficiency and quality of traditional remedies. That the most common and documented reason to toxics in herbal medicine is the presence of pathogens noting that several studies have revealed that herbal remedies contain high levels of heavy metals such as Hg, Ne, Cd, Pb, As, Cv, Se and Zn sufficient to cause adverse health effects when taken regularly as recommended. Speaker of the legislative assembly for the East African Community, Hon. Abdirahim H. Abdi was not available to present his paper, which was read on his behalf. He enlightened on the role of EAC regional inter - parliamentary forum on health, population and development in regional health sector intervention. His paper gave an history of the formation of the East Africa Legislative Assembly (in 2001) thereby highlighting some of its key mandates to be: improve the quality of life; Encourage availability and accessibility of services; Monitor economic growth; Sensitize the community on the direction of future integration of East Africa. He informed that the forum health, population and development was launched in 2007 but is not effective due to cultural diversity, lack of budget and that the issues discussed need national referendum (due to different interpretation at individual countries). As a way to promote regional approach to environmental concerns, Dr. Moe Ko Oo from China, presented a paper on Mekong Basis Disease Surveillance. In his concern, he deeply showed the structural framework of how their organisation works (an amalgamation of China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. That this project was initiated by the Ministry of Health in China with an MOU of five other states. Its vision has been to reduce morbidity caused by outbreak-prone priority diseases with a mission to strengthen national and sub-regional capabilities in infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response, especially for priority diseases, to rapidly and effectively control them. Dr. Moe explained that the nature of avian flu in the region highlighted the need for close collaboration. Another intriguing presentation was made by Ms. Marjorie Pollak, M.D. from United States of America. She was basically informing about ProMed (www.promedmail.org), how they keep the world alert and the need for close collaboration. That 75% of diseases in the last 20 years have been species jumps from zoonotic infections. We live in a global village where microbes do not need visas to cross borders. It is therefore important to note that informal sector reports can lead to formal sector investigations. Dr. Klaus J. Hornetz, the coordinator of Kenya - German Relations gave a topic within the realm of Climate Change and Health, a special concern to "Development Partner Perspective'. His paper steered absolute criticsm from Prof. Ratemo Michieka, Ph.D and other EEIU delegates with concern that African countries are ill prepared to respond to the effects of climate change. This was found rather insulting, but he elaborated that long term mechanisms for response are poorly structured, and not only Africa has this problem, but in developed countries as well. Hon. Beth Mugo, the Kenyan Minister for Public Health and Sanitation hosted the researchers and delegates to a dinner where we all celebrated the deepest decline of Malaria in Kenya. She elaborated on her visit to Swaziland (South Africa) where they are free from Malaria, and gave Kenya a target and hope that this is possible, if all goes to plan, Kenya will be free from Malaria in 2014. Projects are in place and we are doing fine. The most memorable presentation was that Kenya is importing considerable amount of electronic waste, some of them arrive as donations for the poor while some are mislabeled. There is a need to develop proper policies that Bamako convention (as organised by African Union) has failed to put a check upon. The conference ended with a vote of thanks from Hon. Dr. Batilda Burian, Minister for Environment from the United Republic of Tanzania, she termed the organisation a success and urged all delegates to use road as a means of transport when traveling back to their home countries. That there is more we need to see and appreciate, that some of the East Africans know little about their ecology, they read what has been published by tourists, yet they are the one's to be concerned. Mr. Boaz Adhengo presented a paper at the 3rd East African Health and Scientific Conference and has been invited to be part of the regional organizing committee for the 4th conference to be hosted by the Republic of Rwanda. He will still represent EEIU Nabuur Initiatives, and his capacity as a fellow at Eco Ethics International Union.
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP FOR EEIU NABUUR STAFF The first retreat to train the EEIU Nabuur/Leah Foundation staff on organisation and institutional realization took place on the 3rd of April in Nanyuki. Several issues were discussed with specific concern to our role of eco - ethics advocacy. Among topical issues were the role of the executive staff at the chapter level, the link between the EEIU mission and vision statement with the member activities and an interactive session where officers shared on what problems they face (professionalism, coordination, communication). That in some organised events, the targets set are not always realized i.e. participants come in low numbers than expected. There is need to develop a calendar of events with the following in mind:
The workshop ended with a presentation on key skills and attitudes required for effective leadership. There need to develop mentorship programmes within our membership, to train raw leadership and prepare for transcendental developments of our concepts and thesis as defined. We are organizing for three more workshops before we embark on our activities. EEIU Nabuur - March Report The average length of time a bus can take traveling from Nairobi to Jinja is eight hours. But some members argue that it depends also on the average speed the said bus is moving. On the 12th day of March, the EEIU Nabuur volunteers organised an outreach for the river Nile. Prior to this, the United States International University had hosted several talks that elaborated on ethics and green politics. It was therefore easy to get the fifty volunteers we required for this expeditious mission. Each participant was required to purchase a campaign t -shirt, designed exclusively for the "climate change" agenda. Three hundred books were packed for free distribution and a bus hired to facilitate this memorable journey. Mrs. Leah had been fundraising for the 'Ecofeminist Project' that she will launch in Busia area of Uganda. The idea is to promote savings and credit facilities to communities that are ideologically marginalised. They will be organised into activities of different development, including bore hole construction, digging latrines and registering schools. The area that EEIU Nabuur has identified as a possible venture for cross border initiative is a reflection of what Eco - Ethics International Union as an organisation aims to achieve. There is no electricity, there are schools but no teachers and the dominant activity is subsistence farming. This situation is nearly identical to the Bondo area of Kenya, and in our categorization, we will label them the Lake Basin Projects. There will be quarterly evaluations of this venture, and our volunteers have promised to be consistent in their traveling. With this, we are making the objective for EEIU Nabuur operational and we pray that the United States International University continues to be a the crux of our innovative activities. Task Force on Delineation of Kenya's Outer Continental Shelf Mr. John K. Kagasi visited the EEIU Nabuur On Campus group at the United States International University and delivered a lecture concerning the international Convention on the Law of the Sea. He tried to show why this law is important, tracing its origin to the period of domestication in Kenya. Kagasi identified several mineral resources of the oceans; including but not limited to Bio medical, Gas hydrates, Manganese Nodules, Cobalt crust and other non living. He defined internal waters, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone and high sea thereby prompting inquisitive comments from the participatory members. Apart from showing the mandate that the Kenya National Task Force holds, he elaborated on the ocean management policy that the government has been developing since 2005. As a geologist, Kagasi recommends proper ethical constructs, he applauds the efforts that EEIU has put in place, and he wishes that his involvement will bring positive development in the endeavors of our student membership. The United States International University will remain our host institution (www.usiu.ac.ke) and our first ever national conference on Eco Ethics will be at the University auditorium. Details will be communicated soon. Mrs. Grace Rawago Ph.D is the Director for Communication at EEIU East Africa and has recently been nominated for the "Sayari Awards 2009" scheduled for October. A ROAD TRIP INTO UGANDA - Mission EEIU Nabuur Subject to the advertisements that we have been posting on our planned venture into Uganda, an opportunity for this endeavor has been realized through the just concluded conference that took place in Muyenga area of Kampala, Uganda. The key points of discussion were the possibility of Eco-Ethics Chapter in Makerere University and the need for a regional network of representatives within the conference from different countries. Below are some of the photos we collected from our participation as EEIU Nabuur.
Report for February, 2009 Every year, the United States International University - Africa Campus dedicates February to be a month of appreciation to Black History. It is said that most students after joining the institutions of higher learning often forget their origins, they become deeply influenced by the books they use and at most, they put little analysis to the source of their intellectual knowledge as they acquire it. People from our diaspora community have been promoting our arts and culture for many years. Examples can be traced to Berry Edwards in Manchester (Caribbean Week in the 70s), or Eric and Jessica Huntley from Ealing who regularly organised a Caribbean week in the late 70s and early 80's, or Alex Pascall who established, on BBC Radio London, the Black Londoners radio programme which went from a monthly, to a weekly, and then to a daily programme. Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in most countries worldwide in the month of February, while in the UK (as explained by our volunteer) it is held in the month of October. The remembrance was originated in 1926 by historian Kenya is not an exception during this great month. With the victory of Obama to the world, with the publication of the EEIU Nabuur Book 1, indeed, blackness is a pride and blackness is not evil. The students have started engaging the invited speakers onto an intriguing expression of our vision as a country. And they put into good use the lessons learned from our ongoing 'eco ethical' inductions. We have endlessly campaigned for our own making of a better environment, our own definition of a proper ethical concept and our own initiative to save the world. We believe that the Black History Month, apart from being an insight into self discovery, it will be a platform for proper advocacy. A society is as good as the individuals who make it. We are as ethical as those who proclaim the eco ethical slogan. Mr. Boaz Adhengo is the author of Climate Change, Regionalism and Development: Perspectives from East Africa, currently a lecturer at the United States International University and the latest nominee to the EEIU list of fellows. He continues to chair the EEIU Nabuur forum and remains the founding president of the Institute for African Ecology and Philosophy Report for January, 2009 THE ACTUALITY OF OUR POTENTIAL: The Hip - Hop Effect Climate Change, Regionalism and Development: Perspectives from East Africa Click here to download the full pdf.
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