DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 April) – Coming up with effective ways of communicating programs related to climate change will take center when 19 young scientists and engineers from seven countries across Southeast Asia meet in the 2nd ASEAN Science Diplomat Assembly in Davao City next week.
The participants will also tackle communication techniques for programs on food security, water sufficiency. and sustainable energy.
The event will take place from April 23 to 27 at the Ritz Hotel.
Jimmy K. Musa, technical staff for tourism at the Mindanao Development Authority, said that they intend to gather outstanding scientists and engineers in the region who will be trained in scientific language communication for better appreciation and implementation of their scientific research.
Participants will come from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Camboadia, Laos and the Philippines.
The meeting aims to identify common problems and challenges in communicating science and technology, build skills and confidence in engaging public audiences, and develop proposals that will address the risks and impacts of climate change in the ASEAN region, among others.
The sessions will include food security, environment and water sufficiency, sustainable energy, and biodiversity, digital mapping and regional information modeling, and digital journalism/online media.
A briefer said that ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology Innovation (APASTI) 2016-2025 is one of the strategic objectives of the ASEAN in order “to enhance regional and international cooperation to address the issues of climate change and its impacts on socio- economic development, health, and the environment through the implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures, training, and capacity and capability building.”
The 10-year APASTI “provides platforms, key considerations, strategies, analysis, and recommendations that will guide the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to set the tone for implementation.” (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)