Zimbabwe: U.S. to host Technology and Climate Change contest brainstorming session in Harare
Harare: The United States Embassy is supporting a brainstorming session to raise awareness about the 2011 Apps4Africa: Climate Challenge. The March 6 session will take place at the Media Centre in Harare starting at 8.30 am. The goal is to develop local solutions to climate change adaptation in southern Africa. Targeted participants include: civil society players, policy makers, academics and technology innovators.
“We are excited that Zimbabwe is one of the four countries in southern Africa eligible to participate in this contest. It is an excellent opportunity to highlight Zimbabwean solutions, innovations, and technologies to address climate change,” says Jillian Bonnardeaux, Acting Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy. “We support Zimbabwean participation in this competition and in doing so demonstrate our commitment to the growth of science and technology fields in Zimbabwe.”
Other eligible countries are Mozambique, Botswana and Madagascar.
The brainstorming session will be facilitated by Marieme Jamme, head of Spotone Global Solutions, the accredited organizer of the contest which will also support the winners with their marketing and communication strategies. The session will explore possible technology options to climate change challenges in Zimbabwe based on an understanding of current issues of climate change in the country. The contest builds on the outcomes of regional climate change adaptation workshops organized by the Adaptation Partnership, which includes the United States and more than 20 other countries.
2011-12 Apps4Africa: Climate Challenge promotes African solutions to climate change. Winners of the contest will be announced in April and they will receive prizes, including cash awards. Challenge partners, including TED Conferences and Indigo Trust, contribute technical assistance, prizes, and follow-on support for the new applications developed.
