Nile Basin Discourse Forum Rwanda (NBDF) attended the Second Stakeholder Advisory Network (SAN) Committee Meeting held in Washington, DC April 18-19, 2018.

The Stakeholders Advisory Network on Climate Finance (SAN) was launched in November 2016 to “advance the engagement of broader non-state stakeholders in the Climate Investment Funds and other climate finance institutes at the country, regional and global levels.”

 

It was initially overseen by a steering committee of five members from civil society, the private sector and indigenous peoples’ representatives to roll-out the operationalization of the Network.

 

From 19-29 March,2018,the Nile Basin Discourse Forum Rwanda (NBDF) and Partners trained farmers on Climate Change- Impacts & Adaptation for  sustainable agriculture  in Bugesera District.  The training is part of the project entitled “Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in a Changing Climate in Bugesera District.

The training was organized in partnership with Rwanda Environmental Conservation Organization (RECOR), the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological (SMHI) Nordic Climate Facility (NCF), and Swedish development cooperation Agency SIDA).

Forty one (41) farmers were trained as trainers and they are expected to conduct progressive trainings for other farmers in  the project areas. The project is implemented in four Sectors (Kamabuye, Ngeruka, Rweru and Nyarugenge) of Bugesera District.

The training emphasized on how to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change effects, in-depth analysis on agricultural systems, transports systems, human settlement, energy systems, and health systems. 

During the training, participants looked at Climate Change as the most global challenge of our time that affects cross-cutting sectors of human survival; hence, it must be dealt with without boundaries.

Group work focused discussions were dedicated to trainees’ expectations and identification of challenges with regard to the course and upcoming role as trainers; observations of climate change and its impacts, visions for Bugesera; how to cope with climate risks, etc.

The course has also facilitated the development of a training handbook that was translated into Kinyarwanda and English for ease of farmers being champions for scaling up the trainings results further.

 

The United Nations recognized women’s rights of living in the peaceful world. In the resolution 1325 adopted on October 31st, 2000, the United Nations voted that women should be involved in the peace consolidation because those women and girls are the first victims during the conflict in the world.

 

As the World was celebrating the International Women Day  in March 2018, the DR Congo National Discourse Forum (DRCNDF) took this opportunity to call the general public to put women’s rights ahead and promote gender equality for inclusive national   development agenda.

 

The message was delivered by NBD National Technical Support Expert for DR Congo NDF; Mr. Elias Paluku Tahawasima during his presentation at the celebration of the women’s day. The day was attended by more than 200 participants drawn from different organizations such as government institutions, CSOs, Academia and research institutions.

 

Mr. Paluku said that gender based discrimination in the past resulted in marginalization of women, as a result, the community is still living in poverty for half of the members of the community are not given due space and recognition to participate in national/community development . He noted that the future generations should be trained and enlightened on gender equality and equity.