13th Annual Conference - 2003

23 - 24 May, 2003  

Introduction

The Eastern Africa Environmental Network (EAEN) will host a Regional Conference on Sustainable Livelihoods, on 23rd and 24th May 2003 at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi.  The theme for the 13th Annual Conference is:

   “Networking for Sustainable Livelihoods”

EAEN is a non-profit making NGO founded in 1990 with its Secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya.  It has since promoted environmental networking activities in 11 countries in Eastern Africa, namely Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

EAEN strives to promote awareness and is committed to nature conservation through creation of fora for discussion and facilitation of appropriate intervention, through production of materials to facilitate the promotion of sustainable development and through promotion of linkages and partnerships between groups within and outside the region for specific environmental issues.

As a strategy, EAEN acts as a regional clearing house and umbrella organization for partners and environmental interest groups in the region by facilitating exchange of and access to environmental information on processes, events and people

Within the region, EAEN targets its activities and environmental messages at trainers, policy makers, and leaders at different levels in government and private institutions including universities.

The conference is meant to provide an opportunity for reviewing the various aspects of the networking for sustainable livelihoods in Eastern Africa . 

Highlights

• Breaking the barriers and bridging the gaps for enhancement of networking.
   

• Learning from success stories and constraints in environmental management through case studies.

All players in environmental protection conservation and sustainable livelihoods in the region are encouraged to participate in the conference.

Networking  for  Sustainable  Livelihoods

Since its inception EAEN has been promoting sustainable livelihoods in its agenda.  Sustainable livelihoods are attained through application of sustainable development.  Sustainable development is a path to progress which meets the needs and aspirations of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  It is a process of change in which economic and fiscal policies, trade and foreign policies, energy, agriculture and industry policies all aim to induce development paths that lead to economic, social and ecological sustainability.  Sustainable development means growth which respects the limits to environmental resources such as clean air, water, forests and soils;  growth which maintains genetic diversity; growth which uses energy and raw materials efficiently.

Unfortunately sustainable development cannot be achieved in a world ridden with poverty.  The region of Eastern Africa is by and large poverty stricken.  The bulk of the population is regressing, staggering for survival.  Sources show that the number of poor people in the region has been consistently rising in the last 23 years.  For example, 56% of Kenya people live on less than US$1 a day!  Poverty is a reflection of the existence of a power gap which keeps poor people isolated, marginalized, helpless and vulnerable.

Sub-Themes

A            Unsustainable development:  environmental burdens (health)

B            Sustainable utilization of natural resources

C            Sustainable livelihood:  rights and responsibilities

D            Sustainable tourism initiatives.

E             Education for sustainable development

 Presentations,  Publication,  Exhibitions and  Publicity

Presentations

i)   A paper on the theme or sub-theme.   Abstract 200-500 words.

ii)   A short presentation for a plenary session on the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg August-September 2002.   Abstract 200 - 400 words.

An Abstract should contain the  title of the presentation, in which category - if in (i),  which sub-theme preferred - and the name and contacts (including e-mail) of the author.  After the deadline date a programme will be developed and the author will be informed the date, time and duration allotted.   This is usually about 20 minutes and will probably be about 15 minutes for a presentation on Jo’burg (these durations include time for questions).  Instructions will be included on typing, layout and references of the paper.   If you have a computer,  please use Word 97  throughout and  e-mail for correspondence.

Audio-Visual requirements.   The following A-V equipment will be available:  slide, overhead, and video projectors.  Data projector for Powerpoint will be available, if the authors  brings their own laptop computer.   State which, if any, A-V equipment is needed for a presentation.

Typed papers  (on the theme and Jo’burg conference) must  be provided to the EAEN Secretariat..   The paper (excluding references) should not be longer than can be read in the time allocated.  If you have a computer, please use word 97, follow EAEN’s typing instructions and send your paper (with identical contents and layout) also as an e-mail attachment and a labeled 31/2 inch diskette. 

All conference papers will be published as a comprehensive reference document.   Abstracts will be sent for possible publication in the journal Applied Environmental Education and Communication, published by the Academy for Educational Development, Washington DC , USA .

Exhibition.   Institutions and societies are invited to participate actively by exhibiting any materials of environmental interest, demonstrating environmentally friendly technology and anything else to promote sustainable development and livelihoods.

Publicity.   Please help us to advertise this important conference as widely as possible, by publicizing details now and later in any Newsletter or similar publication that you produce and by displaying an A4-size poster that will be sent by e-mail later to members, or on request to others.

Deadlines,  2003,  for receipt at EAEN Secretariat

April 29            Abstracts, titles and A-V requirements.

May 5                Title and type of exhibit, and any special requirements

May 20             Papers (typed, e-mail + 3.51/2 diskette, identical content)

Workshops

On each day of the conference, group discussions on various topics will be encouraged during workshops of one and a half hour’s duration.  The workshops place much emphasis on dialogue and interaction between participants.  They are not meant for “teaching”.  Participants are therefore advised to make copies of their papers, abstracts and notes available to the conference secretariat in advance so that the workshop participants can look at them early and spend maximum time on discussions during the workshops.

EAEN Membership Fees

Ordinary                     KShs.1,000 per year
Corporate                KShs.10,000 per year

Conference Registration Fees

EAEN Members                       KShs.500
Non-members                          KShs.1000
Students                                  KShs.300
Overseas Participants               US$100

EAEN Member Countries

1.    Burundi
2.    Djibouti
3.    Eritrea
4.    Ethiopia
5.    Kenya
6.    Mauritius
7.    Rwanda
8.    Somalia  
9.    Sudan  
10.  Tanzania
11.   Uganda

For registration or more information, please contact;

The Conference Coordinator  
Eastern Africa Environmental Network  
P.O. Box 555 , Uhuru Gardens 00517
Nairobi , Kenya  
Telephone: 254 - 2 - 601064  
Fax:       254 - 2- 601263  
E-mail: eaen@onlinekenya.com

Download a classification of all the papers and notes presented during EAEN's
annual conferences - 1991 to 2001.