Event reports
Stefanie Brinkel, KAS project manager in Tanzania, gives welcome remarks.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Ruppel, Director of the Climate Policy and Energy Security Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa of KAS, introduces the new regional programme.
The participants listen attentively and take notes.
Getrude Clement from Mwanza, UN Youth Representative on Climate Issues, speaks on behalf of the Tanzanian Youth.
The media is also present.
High table at the first day of the Ziwa Letu conference: Stefanie Brinkel, Getrude Clemet and Prof. Dr. Oliver Ruppel.
Additionally: the four invited regional experts Sowed Sewagudde (Ministry of Water and Environment, Republic of Uganda), Pius Mabuba (Environmental Advocacy Expert, United Republic of Tanzania), Baraza Wangwe (National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Republic of Kenya), Anna Masasi (Environmental Specialist in the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project of Worldbank, LVEMP) and the KAS Tanzania program coordinator Richard Shaba (f.l.t.r.).
Anna Masasi presents facts, figures and experiences from the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) pertaining to the current situation of Lake Victoria.
Subsequently, Richard Shaba moderates the discussion.
A representative of numerous Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) informs the audience about his initiatives that address challenges in the Lake Victoria region mentioned before by Anna Masasi.
A representative of Local Government Authorities (LGA) in the Lake Victoria Region describes his experiences with regard to protecting the Lake.
Additionally, the participants present their organizations and projects to save the lake in an environmental exposition.
For example, participants from Mwanza present their initiatives in the Lake Victoria Region.
Participants vividly exchange information.
A participant from Bukoba presents his organization.
Also the press has a keen interest in the exhibition and their participants.
Afterwards, a panel discussion is chaired by Dr. Arne Wulff, Director of the Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa of KAS. Dr. Wulff here exchanging views with Richard Shaba from KAS Tanzania.
During the panel discussion Pius Mabuba, Environmental Advocacy Expert from Tanzania, presents experiences and opportunities to tackle challenges at Lake Victoria from a Tanzanian perspective.
The Ugandan perspective is presented by Sowed Sewagudde, expert for international and transboundary water resources in the Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda.
Baraza Wangwe from the "National Environment Management Authority" (NEMA) in Kenya outlines the Kenyan perspective.
The subsequent formulation of a Joint Action Plan is moderated by Jimmy Luhende, Executive Director of the Mwanza based organization "Actions for Democracy and Local Governance" (ADLG).
The participants collect and discuss contributions for the joint action plan for the Lake Victoria Region in groups.
Representatives from Civil Society Organizations and Local Government Authorities develop ideas for the action plan together.
Day two of the conference: Daniel El-Noshokaty, KAS Resident Representative for Tanzania, welcomes the Chief Guest Hon. Luhaga Mpina, Deputy Minister for Union and Environment, Vice Presidents' Office. Hon. Mpina attends the conference on behalf of the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H. E. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Hon. Luhaga Mpina delivers his speech and officially opens the conference.
On behalf of the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberát Mfumukeko, the Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) of the EAC, Dr. Ally-Said Matano, takes part in the conference and holds a speech on EAC regional cooperation and environmental policies pertaining to the Lake Victoria Basin.
The invited regional experts and representatives from CSOs and LGAs jointly present the action plan which has been developed the day before.
The addressees listen attentively and take notes. F.l.t.r.: Hon. Sarah Ng'wani (Deputy Mayor Ilemela Municipality), Daniel El-Noshokaty (KAS Resident Representative Tanzania), Hon. Luhaga Mpina (Vice President's Office, Union and Environment, Deputy Minister), Dr. Ally-Said Matano (Executive Secretary, EAC Lake Victoria Basin Commission).
Hon. Luhaga Mpina gratefully acknowledges receipt of the joint action plan and thanks the experts ...
... and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung; here together with Dr. Arne Wulff.
Hon. Luhaga Mpina and Dr. Ally-Said Matano visit the environmental exposition; here together with the personal assistant of the minister Ibrahim Mdee, Richard Shaba (KAS) and Daniel El-Noshokaty (KAS).
... and show keen interest - not only in the action plan but also in the vast initiatives of the participants' organizations.
Here with representatives of the "Environmental Management and Economic Development Organisation" (EMEDO).
Group photo; seated f.l.t.r. a representative of civil society organizations, Dr. Ally-Said Matano (EAC LVBC), Hon. Luhaga Mpina (VPO), Hon. Sarah Ng'wani (Ilemela Municipality), Daniel El-Noshokaty (KAS Tanzania).
Finally, Jimmy Luhende (ADLG) moderates the discussion with regard to a unified way forward.
... where the participants clearly voice their desire to continue this kind of event and to establish a joint platform for Local Government Authorities and Civil Society Organizations in the Lake Victoria Region.
The long term goal includes linking regional bodies that consist of experts and local policy makers, who advise, control and regulate everyone dealing with or around the lake, with representatives from CSOs and other stakeholders from the three countries. Additionally the conference strived to create awareness at the local and national level that the riparian countries can meet the challenges of climate change, pollution and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources on Lake Victoria only if they work together.