The Alliance for Science, in collaboration with Farming Future Bangladesh, launched the Global South Hub Asia in Bangladesh.
The inaugural event took place on July 18, 2023, in Gulshan, Dhaka, where government officials, scientists, specialists, and representatives from National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) came together to kick off this exciting initiative, said a press release on Wednesday.
The Alliance for Science launched Global South Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, in August 2022.
The Global South Hub Asia will focus on creating platforms for partners across the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem to leverage the growing networks of experts across the Global South to promote South-South collaboration and advance projects which apply science-based solutions to shared challenges.
The Alliance for Science launched Global South Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, in August 2022 to increase synergies across the 54 countries in Africa.
This is a growing movement to amplify the voices of stakeholders across different continents.
The establishment of a new Global South Hub Asia, based in Bangladesh, builds on the increasing success of Farming Future Bangladesh to reach a wide range of stakeholders across the region with powerful science communication and advocacy tools.
Partners across Southeast Asia
It will further strengthen the ability to work with partners across Southeast Asia, apply broader perspectives, compare best practices that enhance science communication about climate change, food and nutrition security, and global health, and collaborate on challenging misinformation on biotechnology.
This is a growing movement to amplify the voices of stakeholders across different continents, which promotes locally led activities, and listens to communities while sharing empowering messages to encourage evidence-based choices for improving lives and livelihoods.
Dr Sheila Ochugboju, Director of the Alliance for Science, said: ‘’I am excited to be part of this collaborative process that is increasing the visibility of extraordinary leaders in science and biotechnology across the Global South. Unity becomes strength when we intentionally apply shared wisdom and ingenuity to tackle global challenges.”
Arif Hossain, the chief executive and Director of Farming Future Bangladesh, said: ‘Farming Future Bangladesh is extremely excited to be part of the Global South, and we hope the lessons and expertise we have garnered over the years will be helpful for future partners and members.’
The Alliance for Science Global South Hub supports scientists, community leaders and decision-makers to build capacity.
Over 85 percent of the world’s population lives in the Global South, contributing nearly 39 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product.
It comprises countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Pacific Islands, and the developing countries in Asia, including the Middle East.
Create biosafety and governance frameworks
The Alliance for Science Global South Hub supports scientists, community leaders, decision-makers, and others to build capacity to recognize locally led science initiatives that are helping communities to become more climate resilient.
The hub also seeks to create biosafety and governance frameworks that ease the deployment of agricultural technologies to increase food availability and build resilient food systems.
The hub additionally offers training and policy support for structural transformations, such as increasing access to improved agricultural inputs and markets, enhancing gender equality, and supporting youth education in science, technology, and mathematics (STEM).
___________________________________________________________________________________________
This article has been republished with permission from Dhaka Tribune at www.dhakatribune.com.