Biodiversity, Biotechnology, and Law Training Course for West Africa

Each participant prepared an overall evaluation of the training course at the end of the three weeks, summarizing both strengths and weaknesses from their individual perspectives. Extracts from their evaluations are quoted below, in no particular order.

"The training course has opened my eyes to the complex issues involved in bioprospecting and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the sustainable use of genetic resources among all the stakeholders. This is a course that should be recommended for all students of biological sciences, agriculture, political science, environmental sciences, and the law…The training program was well organized and the resource persons were highly knowledgeable in their respective areas. I am, however, suggesting that there should be a forum where the resource persons meet prior to the training session for harmonization of their presentations so as to prevent repetition of the same issues." S.R. Ajibade, Nigeria

"This course has helped to broaden my view of what is happening in the international scene as regards issues pertaining to biodiversity, biotechnology, and law…I was particularly impressed by the caliber of the resource people." Njoku Chioma, Nigeria

"It would be helpful to receive information on the scope and plan of course…prior to its commencement. Getting all [reading] materials at once at the beginning of the course would also be helpful. [The course was] extremely thorough…I would add a few things: 1) I think more background is needed for two key agreements: CBD and TRIPS. This could include a history of the "seed wars," patent law, and a history of key advances in biotechnology…2) more on-the-ground reality checks…Specifically, some time needs to be dedicated to existing problems and issues that currently impact biodiversity as well as how these issues will pose problems to the introduction of biotechnology where it doesn’t yet exist. 3) a session or more to brainstorm issues that came up in role play…there were some issues that continually came up, such as educational campaigns for government and schools. Perhaps what could be done is a session on how to be a trainer, how to organize within the schools, strategies to communicate with government, how to build networks, etc." Kris Peterson, United States

"The training course was well organized…In future efforts should be made to make the hand-outs available to the participants before each lecture commences so that participants can follow the teaching…The course has…provided me with information on the current status and development in the field of biodiversity and biotechnology and also gave me a better understanding of other professions, e.g., the law…I believe that the time frame for the training course was rather short to cover the subject matter, and would like to suggest that future training courses should be extended to four weeks." Gladys Adams, Nigeria

"The communications to the participants with regards to their travel arrangements were not very efficiently handled [for] me and my two other colleagues from The Gambia. This aside, the course has been very well thought out and organized…One of my greatest satisfactions comes from the improved understanding I have of necessary legal frameworks that govern the use of bioresources…The collection of presenters [was] very well chosen. I suggest that next time efforts should be made to cut down the length of the training by about one week. I believe this should be feasible because some of the presentations, especially those on legal issues, seem to be very similar…Overall, this is one of the best training programs I have attended (if not the best)." Baboucarr Manneh, The Gambia

"The course itself stands to create a better West African position on biodiversity conservation. Most of the resource persons seemed to be very knowledgeable about their subject areas. Some of the subject areas should be combined [where] one person could cover both [areas]…There was a very serious bias [against] forestry. You need to include facilitators in forestry research…[taking] into consideration that the issue of biodiversity conservation focuses on forest loss and habitat protection." Ben Donnie, Liberia

"With regard to facilitators, I think…efforts should be made to select Africans who know better about the reality of the continent…In general, the course was well organized." Mahamane Larwanou, Niger

"Concerning the organization of the course, the facilitators and materials were perfect. But the timing was very short, therefore there is a need to consider the duration of the course." Victoria Cole, Liberia

"My overall assessment of this course is that it has been a tremendous success in enlightening most of us who had vague or little ideas on bioprospecting, biodiversity, and the legal aspects of these issues. I particularly learned a lot from the lucid presentations of the expert facilitators from the various countries that had put in place the necessary legislation on biosafety and its attendant implications…I was particularly moved by the warm and friendly interactions among the participants. This went a long way to make the course very lively and exciting…I hope this spirit of brotherhood will be translated into action in our drive to actualize the outcome of this training for the development of our sub-region." M.T. Moseray, Sierra Leone

"The training course was very good and targeted burning issues in biodiversity, biotechnology, and law. Resource persons were highly qualified and gave good lectures…Documents for lectures should be photocopied and distributed in advance to participants whenever possible. Meals should be diversified if participants are to be fed by the organizers." Jean-Marie Fondoun, Cameroon

"I particularly enjoyed the lectures and the role-play exercises. However, we seemed always to rush through the outcome of the role play. The conclusions should have been summed up properly. One major thing I learned from this course was that we all have a role to play in conserving our biodiversity and that all stakeholders should be involved from the beginning and indigenous input should be acknowledged and rewarded…With respect to the social aspect, a little more social activity could have been organized in the evenings." Yaa Osei, Ghana

"The [training workshop] provides the basic and comprehensive background to the complexities involved in biodiversity, biotechnology, bioprospecting, and bioconservation. The need for the promulgation of all the necessary laws required for access, benefit-sharing, and biosfaety was forcefully highlighted at the workshop. The role of public education and awareness-building in each country was emphasized throughout. The necessity for regional networking in bioresource inventory, value determination, and bioresource utilization was made clear. The workshop organization was superb and the members of the faculties were experienced in their various fields of expertise…It is suggested that in the future the organizers should insist on evaluating and approving the CBs of delegates, particularly from the government ministries…the caliber of participants from the government ministries should be at the level of Assistant Directors and above." Olusanya Olutogun, Nigeria

"The organization of the course was in my opinion a superb job done. I must, however, comment that the sheer volume of information given to participants was done in such a way that the time frame appeared to me to be rather short to permit people to both absorb and react appropriately. You may wish to look into the possibility of extending the course a few days." I.J. Uche-Okoro, Nigeria

"The course has been organized in a very efficient manner with the teaching aids and methods being excellent. The modules were arranged in such a way that understanding was made easy." Gbadamosi Lanre, Nigeria

"The wealth of useful information will serve as a valuable resource guide for future activities, both theoretically and practically…In addition to the detailed, diverse array of useful and contemporary concepts, issues, facts, and opinions, the interactions with professionals from Africa, Europe, South America, and the United States created a unique global interactive academic environment. This course could quite easily be developed into a graduate or postgraduate course and would be among the more significant courses available today." Eleanor Nunn, United States

"The training course, in general, was very helpful and informative for me…It clearly appeared during the course that West African countries have a common need for clear legislation in biodiversity use in order to protect our principal richness and to acquire consistent benefit for our development. The high quality of the lectures and the good choice of examples reinforce my experience and open new fields for me…[For the future] it should be interesting to 1) emphasize and spend more time on the different levels (ecosystem, species, genes) and values of biodiversity, and maybe to have more field training; 2) increase the political impact [by inviting] the focal points for biodiversity of the different countries…3) think about the language limitation for francophone countries [such as] by using simultaneous translation." Konate Souleymane, Cote d’Ivoire

"The content of the course was good. I found that there was very little time allotted for discussion, which I thought was very important. There was often no summation of group presentations by facilitators, except Dr. Stryker’s, which he did very brilliantly. There was too little time for us to process the large amount of information we received. The workshop should be planned in such a way that people don’t sit for long hours on end. There should have been more activities that allow for breaks in sedentary periods." Carol Markwei, Ghana

"The program is so rewarding. It is full of information…The resource people are well seasoned and knowledgeable in their areas…Initially I thought I might not follow the law aspect, which is far from my profession…By the end of the module…law, which I feared most, was an area I loved the most." Nkechi Enwerem, Nigeria

"In my opinion the course has been well organized. Its objective is broad, its scope is wide andpenetrating, and its contents rich and in depth. The selection of the resource persons is worthy fo note. They are experts in their own fields and their delivery…is excellent. [The workshop] also exposed our weakness and lack of capacity to tackle these issues…If we must survive a collective and regional approach must be pursued…The course was a huge success." Paul Ojeogwu, Nigeria

"Module I provided us with important lessons in R&D in the pharmaceutical industry. However, there seems to be the idea that the lectures were designed to promote understanding of transnational corporations’ positions. I think we can emphasize more the benefits accruing to some of the African countries in dealing with the multinational pharmaceutical firms. Module II, the course on contractual agreements and benefit-sharing, was great…Module III…is a very relevant module…and some useful information was imparted. But I wish that there will be a more in-depth treatment of TRIPS…Module IV…is a very important module. But it seems to have been handled in haste. The faculty members were excellent, except for one or two…Perhaps you may consider use of more African experts. Duration: three and a half weeks is a bit too long….Good organization. Good selection of the participants to reflect institutional and disciplinary representation…I personally believe this is an excellent program for addressing current issues." George Owusu Essegbey, Ghana

"The course broadens…intellectual and professional horizons with a concentrated clarion wake-up call for developing countries, particularly (West) African states…The eye-opening course was revealing, incisive, and even indicting to the developing countries. It however provides or recommends to us opportunities available [and] stimulation to commence initiatives…Representation from the business sector and local communities was virtually non-existent…Only a few legal experts were involved as resource fellows." J.E. Jigah, Nigeria

"The idea and implementation of the course are brilliant and excellent, respectively. The course content is broad, concentrating mainly on policy, including legal issues. However, due to the varied backgrounds of the participants, less emphasis was placed on the science/technology of biodiversity and biotechnology. The course will assist participants from the university sector to advise their universities on the need to mount undergraduate and post graduate programs on biodiversity, biotechnology, and law. Short-term courses may be mounted also for bioresource managers and policymakers to enlighten them on the latest management techniques of bioresources." Anthony Okeke, Nigeria

"The course content and its organization are very good; however, I would like to recommend that in future the course should [include greater emphasis] on animal genetic resources." Bonto Faburay, The Gambia

"I would suggest that 3 to 5 hours of introductory chemistry and/or biology be included [for non-scientists]…to give them an understanding of basic genetic and scientific principles to be discussed…I would appreciate it if faculty members in the future are made to send their presentations at least two weeks ahead so as to enable production of these papers. It is a lot easier to follow a presentation if the papers are before you." Simusola Akintola, Nigeria

"The course handled the major aspects of the field like the prospecting, technological, business, economics, legal angles, etc., but I wish it could have thrown more light on the end products." Rita C. Amakeze, Nigeria

"I want to appeal to the organizers that the future training course should include forest tree species, particularly in their biotechnology…We need to bear in mind that the forest tree species are the determinant of the diversity of natural ecosystems." Omokafe A. Ugbogu, Nigeria

"[The course] serves as a most timely and useful contribution to the capacity-building efforts of the countries represented. The course was well structured to cover the salient issues. The resource persons were well selected in terms of their professional backgrounds, countries, and interest in promoting knowledge in these issues." Sama Monde, Sierra Leone

"The training course, though long in time frame, is very well organized. The various speakers were experienced international scholars and practitioners who imparted knowledge very well. The topics in the four modules were appropriately chosen and segmented in presentation…The integration of biodiversity, biotechnology, and law into a single course was very innovative and highly commendable." J.A. Ekpere, Nigeria

"The training course is well organized with all necessary relevant topics. The use of well knowledgeable and informed resource persons in various aspects of the course is highly commended…The training provided full information on the current status and development of the course themes…Meanwhile, the course should be organized in such a way that will involve the policymakers such as members of relevant committees of both legislative arms of government and the executive members." Akinyeye Akintoye, Nigeria

"Looking back, I would be hard put to find areas where there is need for marked improvement…One area I would like to suggest some thinking about is the case studies/group sessions. Would it be possible in future to devote some more attention to this to ensure that the groups come out with detailed and more practical solutions/answers?" Alex Muoka, Nigeria

"The program exposed the absolute lack of coordination in law, policy, and science on how Nigeria and West Africa should approach bioresources and the contentious issue of biotechnology. The program also emphasized the immediate need for West Africa to determine its attitude to issues on bioresources access, benefit sharing, and several other contentious issues. However, I noticed that there was an absolute failure to emphasize (except in a very perfunctory manner) the disadvantages or the alternative arguments to biotechnology." Akintoye Akintokun, Nigeria