IYPE African Launch Event

Arusha, Tanzania

On 8 and 9 May 2008, the International Year of Planet Earth was officially launched for the African continent in the city of Arusha, situated at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania.

This event was co-organized by the IYPE Corporation and the National Committee of the IYPE in Tanzania, together with IUGS and UNESCO. The event was hosted by His Excellency President Jakaya M. Kikwete of Tanzania, who was accompanied by several Senior Ministers and former President and IYPE Patron Benjamin Mkapa. UNESCO was represented by Director General Koïchiro Matsuura who addressed the 300 participants from some 20 nations in the audience, among many invited students from African countries.

During the African Launch Event scientists of many African nations gave keynote lectures on a variety of issues all dealing with the ten themes of the International Year of Planet Earth. Many organizations made use of the opportunity to expose their products and services in an international exhibition.

Representatives of 15 IYPE National Committees in Africa joined a meeting held back-to-back to the African Launch Event. They discussed progress in their IYPE outreach and science programmes and exchanged ideas and suggestions to improve their exposure to the public and politicians.

The meeting was hosted and sponsored by the Tanzanian Government, together with the South African and the Dutch governments. The meeting was concluded by the approval of the Arusha Declaration.

Arusha Declaration English (pdf)

Arusha Declaration French (pdf)

Video

Web log Ellen Goldberg

Report NC Meeting (pdf)