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The Centre for Development Studies, University of Wales Swansea, and
Bees for Development, co-hosted the International Symposium on Sustainable
Livelihoods: Exploring the Role of Beekeeping in Development, which was the
first to explain beekeeping development and the important role it plays in
helping people to generate sustainable livelihoods.
The Symposium was convened:
- To bring
together people working in the fields of beekeeping, development and rural
sociology
- To provide a
forum for people to share experiences, discuss approaches to sustainable
livelihoods, and reflect on how outside experts view the practice of
beekeeping
- To expand the
sustainable livelihoods agenda into the field of beekeeping in
development
An introductory
evening on Monday 18th September was followed by two days of presentations and
discussion from international experts in the fields of beekeeping and
development. Speakers and participants travelled from Belgium, Denmark,
Cameroon, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Tanzania,
and Tobago, as well as the UK.
Themes included:
- Understanding
livelihoods and beekeeping as a livelihood strategy for people in developing
countries
- Beekeeping and
development
- Local
knowledge, beekeeping skills and gender issues
- Rethinking
extension, technology transfer and learning processes
- Using a
Sustainable Livelihoods Approach
- World-wide
case studies (Ethiopia, Caribbean, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, India, Tanzania,
Zambia).
The Symposium
was an extremely enjoyable event. Participants contributed
to lively discussions and excellent visual presentations aimed
at linking specific beekeeping project experiences with the
wider framework of sustainable livelihoods. Mutual learning
and feedback were key to the event. Development practitioners
and academics with little knowledge of beekeeping learnt something
of its importance to rural development, and beekeeping practitioners
and experts gained an insight into sustainable livelihoods
approaches.
Bees for Development will publish the Proceedings in early
2001.
DFID UK, CTA NETHERLANDS, and The British Academy provided
sponsorship.
Bees for Development was established in 1993
by Dr Nicola Bradbear and Helen Jackson. It is a unique organisation
based in South Wales that works to help beekeepers in the
poorest countries. Bees for Development runs a network for
people interested in this field, and works to raise awareness
of the vital role of bees.
Bees for Development, Troy, Monmouth, NP25 4AB, UK
Tel +44 (0)16007 13648
Fax +44 (0)16007 16167
E-mail busy@planbee.org.uk
Web site www.planbee.org.uk
The
Centre for Development Studies at the University
of Wales Swansea. A multi-disciplinary establishment, providing
undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees and carrying
out research and consultancy work for a wide range of NGOs,
bilateral and multi-lateral donors.
Centre for Development Studies, University of Wales Swansea,
Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
Tel +44 (0)1792 205678
Fax +44 (0)1792 265682
E-mail e.fisher@swansea.ac.uk (or) m.a.brocklesby@swansea.ac.uk
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