:: Agenda ::

The United Nations has turned the spotlight on desertification by declaring 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. The global will to reduce poverty through sustainable development is strengthening, and desertification is increasingly recognized to be a development problem linked closely to poverty. International bodies are ready to help to fund development activities and provide technical assistance. Interest in Africa is particularly keen.

But is there potential for success? The conventional pessimism about the development potential of the African drylands needs to be challenged. This meeting will provoke discussion about the positive potentials of the zone and the extent to which they have “not” been, or on the contrary “are” being achieved. Are there important successes that have been overlooked, instead of being recognized as turning points that could be scaled up for broader impact? If so, how do we make it happen? Are the knowledge and strategies available for scaling up these successes in the drylands of sub-Saharan Africa now?

This Symposium/Workshop will seek to identify solutions to desertification in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa emerging from research-for-development. Leaders of thought, scientists, development practitioners (from international organizations and civil society organizations), and donors will share scientific knowledge, development experiences, and innovative ideas to illuminate opportunities for reducing poverty while combating land degradation in sub-Saharan Africa’s drylands. Participants will exchange knowledge and experiences to identify the factors determining past successes, discuss how such successes could be scaled up, and strategize how a global research-for-development alliance (Oasis) could contribute to combating desertification in support of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
 

Saturday, 23 September 2006  - Venue:  Palais des Congres, Niamey

Morning: Opening Session

Chair: Son Excellence Abdou Labo, Ministre d’ Etat, Ministre d’ Hydraulique, de l’Environnement et de Lutte Contre la Desertification du Niger

Rapporteurs: R. Tabo and D. Fatondji

0900 - 0915	Welcome Dr Saidou Koala, Director, West and Central Africa and Coordinator, Desert Margins Program, ICRISAT Ambassador Hama Arba Diallo, Executive Secretary, UNCCD Dr William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT
0915 - 0945	Address by the Guest of Honor Professor Firmino Mucavele, Executive Head, NEPAD
0945 - 1000	Opening Address by the Chief Guest Son Excellence Abdou Labo, Ministre d’ Etat, Ministre d’ Hydraulique, de l’Environnement et de Lutte Contre la Desertification du Niger
1000- 1030	Coffee/tea break and group photo
Keynote Addresses Chair: L. Samba, Rapporteurs: A. van Rooyen  and T. Abdourahmane
1030 - 1100	What Research can Contribute to Drylands Dr William Dar, Director General, ICRISAT
1100 - 1130	Policy Requirements for Promoting Dryland Development and Combating Desertification Dr Musa Mbenga, Executive Secretary, CILSS
1130 - 1200	Development Strategies and Implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification Ambassador Hama Arba Diallo, Executive Secretary, UNCCD

Saturday, 23 September 2006  (cont.)
1200 - 1300	Press Dialogue Chair: F. Waliyar, Rapporteur: D. Fatondji and A. Niekiema Discussants: · Amb. Hama Arba Diallo, UNCCD · Prof. Firmino Mucavele, NEPAD · Prof. Musa Mbenga, CILSS · Dr William  Dar, ICRISAT
1300 - 1430	Lunch
Afternoon: Workshop Session I – Sustainable Land Management (SLM) - Understanding Successes and Failures Chair: A. Bationo, Rapporteurs: A. Ayantunde and Tahirou Abdoulaye
1430 – 1515	Lead Talk: Successful SLM in the Sahel and its Implications for Drylands Development Dr. Chris Reij, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Dr M. Larwanou (INRAN), Niamey, Niger
1515 – 1530	Coffee/tea break
1530 – 1730	Breakout Groups Identify the key factors behind SLM successes Working Group I: Chair : Antoine Kalinganire Working Group II: Chair: Hassane Saley
1730 – 1830	Groups Report to Plenary – synthesis of recommendations and adoption by Plenary
1930 - 2200	Dinner (hosted by Dr Dar and Amb. Diallo) – Hotel Gaweye

Sunday, 24 September 2006  - Venue:  ICRISAT-Sadore Morning: Field Visit
0845 – 1300   0845-0945 0945-1015 1015-1115   1115-1145 1145-1300	Field Visit   Sadore village school African Market Garden Bioreclamation of Degraded Lands Demonstration plots (millet, sorghum, groundnut, dual purpose cowpea, integrated nutrient management-fertilizer micro-dosing)   Sahelian Eco-Farm (SEF) and Date Palms Nursery, fruit trees, vegetables
1300 - 1400	Lunch
Afternoon: Workshop Session II – Scaling Up Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Chair: S. Koala, Rapporteurs: M. Gandah and K. Kellner
1400 – 1445	Lead Talk: Scaling up Sustainable Land Management for Drylands Development Dr. Mohamed Sessay, UNEP/GEF
1445 – 1500	Coffee/tea break
1500 - 1730	Breakout Groups Identify the key factors behind upscaling successes   Working Group I : Chair: Modibo Sidibe Working Group II: Chair: Harry Palmier
1730 - 1830	Groups Report to Plenary – synthesis of recommendations and adoption by Plenary
1930 - 2200	Dinner (hosted by Dr Saidou Koala) – ICRISAT TVC, Niamey

Monday, 25 September 2006  - Venue:  ICRISAT-Sadore Morning: Workshop Session III – Contribution of Science and Research to Drylands Development Chair: M. Winslow, Rapporteurs: S. Ouedraogo and A. Van Rooyen
0900 – 0920 0920 - 0940	Lead Talks: How a global research-for-development alliance (Oasis) could contribute to combating desertification – A global perspective Dr Richard Thomas, Research Program Director, ICARD A CORAF/WECARD perspective Dr Dogo Seck, Director of CERAAS
0945 – 1000	Coffee/tea break
1000 – 1200	Breakout Groups Identify research approaches, priorities and partnerships needed   Working Group I: Chair : Bertus Kruger Working Group II: Chair: Mahamadou Gandah
1200 - 1300	Lunch
1300 - 1400	Groups Report to Plenary – synthesis of recommendations and adoption by Plenary
Afternoon: Closing Session Chair: F. Waliyar, Rapporteurs: H. Cheruyiot and A. Soumare
1400 - 1500	The Donor Perspective – Panel Discussion: the research needs for investments for drylands development to combat desertification Panel discussion with comments/questions from audience – B. Shapiro, Moderator
1500 - 1530	Presentation and Adoption of Meeting Declaration: From Desert to Oasis: a Call to Action – R. Tabo/M. Winslow Closing remarks Salisu A. Ingawa – Director, Food Security, Nigeria Ambassador Hama Arba Diallo, Executive Secretary, UNCCD Saidou Koala, Director WCA, ICRISAT
1530 - 1700	Shopping Expedition