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Africa Satellite

Event

04-06 JUNE 2025 | University of Nairobi, KENYA & ONLINE

Delegates Information Pack
Register here

The Future Earth Africa hub and its Leadership Center, supported by the National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya, the Future Earth East Africa Node at Maseno University, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa, will host the third edition of the Africa Satellite Event as part of the Sustainability Research and Innovation (SRI) Congress 2025 in Chicago US at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Like all other SRI Africa Satellite Event editions, the SRI Africa Satellite Event 2025 will feature live hybrid engagements taking place across the globe. This will create an inclusive, round-the-clock interactive program connected with the main SRI event in the US. The SRI Africa event will host local-to-regional sessions with a regional to global audience to explore action-forward approaches to sustainability research and innovation. These connection points and opportunities for in-person participation outside of the central Congress location will deepen SRI’s global perspective and make the Congress accessible to a broader audience around the world.

The Africa Satellite Event will provide an opportunity to engage on African sustainability issues, opportunities, and solutions. It will offer a platform for engagement and collaboration, creating opportunities for early-career researchers, established researchers, research managers, policymakers, and industry experts to share their ideas, relevant knowledge, and information. This will help strengthen the next generation of researchers in Africa.

Anyone involved in sustainability science, global/climate change, healthy and inclusive communities, early-career researchers, policymakers, students, and civil society are invited to register and participate in the event.

The Call for Contributions for the Africa Satellite Event is closed.

Contact: SRIAfrica@nrf.ac.za

This year’s Congress focuses on Pathways to Sustainable Solutions but also has four related themes. To emphasize the African focus of the Satellite Event, the team has added a fifth theme. Sessions should align with the vision of the Congress and/or one or more of the following themes:

  • One Health: Connecting Human, Animal & Planetary Health
  • Collaborative Decision-Making: Fostering Connections with Communities
  • Innovative Tools: Developing & Deploying New Technologies for Sustainability Solutions
  • Holistic Solutions: Integrating Food, Energy, Water and Infrastructure
  • African science and innovation for transformation: African science and innovation in sustainability

    CONGRESS PROGRAM

    East Africa Time

    Side Event 1

    FUTURE EARTH AFRICA HUB ASSEMBLY MEETING

    02 – 03 June 2025, University of Nairobi, Kenya

    In March 2022, Future Earth approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the host of the Future Earth Global Secretariat Hub for Africa, joining eight other global hubs. The Africa Hub is designed as a global initiative while maintaining a strong regional presence, integrating Africa’s sustainability science, policy, and funding communities into the broader global landscape. Its Leadership Centre, co-hosted by Rhodes University and the University of Pretoria, supports this mission.

    Purpose:
    The Future Earth Africa Hub Assembly Meeting aims to outline the Hub’s mission, goals, and strategic framework while providing a platform for Regional Nodes and Science Clusters to present their activities. It will introduce newly elected Advisory Board Members and facilitate discussions on implementation plans, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring frameworks to strengthen collaboration and impact across Africa.

     

    Side Event 2

    AJ-CORE RESEARCHERS’ WORKSHOP
    Kick–Off for Call #4
    Mid-Term Review for Call #3
    Closing for Call #2

    Monday 02 – Tuesday 03 June 2025
    09:00-17:00 SAST| (GMT+02:00) Southern Africa

    AJ-CORE is a partnership between the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) which aims to support joint research and innovation projects in designated fields of science between researchers from Japan, South Africa and the 17 African countries whose ministries and granting councils are a participating member in the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). The AJ-CORE call for proposals operates on a co-funding model financed by the NRF, JST, and some of the SGCI African countries in Environmental Science. It serves as a national and regional research platform designed to provide the knowledge needed to support transformations towards sustainability. The aim of this workshop is to reflect and share research experiences on what has worked well, what has not worked, methods, findings, and other insights from projects at individual, institutional, national, regional, and global level. The overall expected outcomes include learning and knowledge exchange among participants through interactive discussions, demonstrating the impact of international collaboration, and identifying and developing pathways to enhance relationships amongst researchers.

     

    Side event 3

    CALL TO JOIN THE IRC FUNDERS’ WORKING GROUPS

    Tuesday, 03 June 2025
    14:00-16:00| (GMT+02:00) Southern Africa

    This calls for funders to join the AU-EU International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) Funders’ Working Groups. The primary aim is to engage identified potential funders’ operational Working Groups through workshops, strengthening the liaison between research, innovation, and practice to prepare for initiating the IRC’s Research and Innovation (R&I) programming.

     

    8:00 – 8:15 Tea & Registration
    8:15 – 9:15
    Opening & Remarks by Partners
    9:15 – 10:45
    Plenary 1: Bridging Science and Policy for Sustainable Impact

    PLENARY
    10:45 – 11:00 Mid Morning Tea Break
    11:00 – 12:30
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Advocating climate action and health agenda in Africa.
    Lead Organizer: Vincent Pagiwa. Unversity of Botswana
    ONLINE ONLY

    Science-practice interface: sustainability through collaborative ecosystem restoration work in urban and rural areas in Kenya.
    Lead Organizer: Peter Wangai.
    PLENARY ROOM – FRENCH 

    Effective Sustainability Research Archiving and Dissemination through AfricArXiv – Lead Organizer: Jo Havemann
    ROOM 1 

    Interactive training: bringing evidence into policy and society. Lead Organizer: IIASA – Monika Bauer
    ROOM 2  

    Science and Innovation at the University of Nairobi: Driving Research and Progress -Part 1: University of Nairobi
    ROOM 3 

    Cross-cutting Initiatives Workshop – Lead Organizer: Judit Ungvari,Future Earth US Hub
    ROOM 4 

    Empowering Sustainability Science in Africa: Integrating Efforts and Addressing Continental Challenges through the Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Centre – Lead Organizer:Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Center
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    Public Engagement in Transdisciplinary Research Projects: Networks and Frameworks to Guide Your Work – PART 1- Joint EPC-N, Start, Future Earth Session. Lead Organizer: Gavin Luter, Mzime Murisa and Faten Attig Bahar
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
    13:30 – 15:00
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Innovating Across Knowledge Systems: Youth-Driven Solutions for Africa’s Sustainability Challenges – Lead Organizer: Kades BEN MABIALA
    PLENARY ROOM – FRENCH 

    Exploring Strategies for Integrating Water, Energy, Food and Infrastructure (WEFI) Systems in South Africa and China in a Changing Climate.
    Lead Organizer: JAMES CHAKWIZIRA
    ROOM 1 

    Leveraging Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Applied Science Knowledge to Improve Healthcare Delivery.
    Lead Organizer: Dikabo Mogopodi
    ROOM 2  

    Science and Innovation at the University of Nairobi: Driving Research and Progress -Part 2: University of Nairobi
    ROOM 3 

    Exploring WASH and MHH Realities in African Communities: Perspectives from Cameroon and Zambia. Lead Organizer: Dr. Sikopo Nyambe, Future Earth Japan Hub
    ROOM 4 

    What should Africa do to address its complex, Contemporary sustainability Challenges – Lead Organizers: Nelson Odume add the names of the clusters leads
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    Public Engagement in Transdisciplinary Research Projects: Networks and Frameworks to Guide Your Work. – PART 2- Joint EPC-N, Start, Future Earth Session. Lead Organizer: Gavin Luter, Mzime Murisa and Faten Attig Bahar
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    15:00 – 15:15 Afternoon Break
    15:15 – 16:45
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Networking for Belmont Forum 2025 CRA Opportunities -Lead Organizer: Connie Bolte – Belmont Forum
    ONLINE ONLY

    Combining GNSS-R Technology and Machine Learning to Establish the Durban Seawater Intrusion Monitoring and Early Warning System. Lead Organizer: Murong Li
    PLENARY ROOM – FRENCH 

    Case studies of successful science diplomacy initiatives in Africa as a model to CBD Implementation. Lead Organizer: Onja Hariveloniaina & Morilline Razanamaro
    ROOM 1 

    Innovative Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Renewable Energy Strategies, CO₂ Emission Mitigation, and Sustainable Aviation Fuels under the SDGs Umbrella. Lead Organizer: Mofahloshi Chuene
    ROOM 2  

    Science and Innovation at the University of Nairobi: Driving Research and Progress -Part 3: University of Nairobi
    ROOM 3 

    Advancing the Utopian Model of Sustainability Practice (UMSP) through AI and Blockchain: A Technology-Driven Framework for Sustainable Enterprise Development in Africa
    Lead Organizer: Phanuel Wunu ( WEST Africa Regional Node)
    ROOM 4 

    Unlocking Sustainable Futures: Leveraging Assistive Technology to Empower People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Lead Organizer: Kowenje Chrispine
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    Expert Workshop on Scientific Writing for Sustainability Science. Lead Organizer: JCAS
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    17:00 – 18:30
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Fostering Equitable Transdisciplinary Collaboration: A Test & Learn Workshop Exploring Belmont Forum’s Advancing Leadership Program Curriculum – Lead Organizer: Anne-Teresa Birthwright
    ONLINE ONLY

    Harnessing Traditional Knowledge and Youth Leadership for Forest Ecosystem Resilience in Africa. Lead Organizer: Kades BEN MABIALA
    PLENARY ROOM – FRENCH 

    Mapping a Sustainable Future: Integrating Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI), and Open Data for African Development” – Lead Organizer: JULIA QUAICOE (Ph.D), UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST, GHANA
    ROOM 1 

    Value Based Care, Africa’s Missing Link. Lead Organizer: Micheal Seo
    ROOM 2  

    Transformative Pathways: Leveraging the Water-Food-Energy Nexus for a Just Transition. Lead Organizers: Faten Attig Bahar and Felix Donkor and Cherifa Abdelbaki
    ROOM 3 

    Innovative joint efforts across industry-academia-government-funder towards co-designed future vision.Lead Organizer: Fumiko Kasuga -FE Japan Hub
    ROOM 4 

    Marine Pollution along the West African Coast: Status and Effects on Flora and Fauna – Lead Organizer: Brandford Bervell
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    Be Belmont Eligible – Connie Bolte [Online]
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    Evening session, Posters, Networking sessions – Dinner will be served at the venue
    19:00 – 21:00
    Networking acitivity one: ECRs round table discussion – Future Earth Africa Hub and SRI Africa Young Champions
    Showcasing Possibilities When Universities Work with Local Authorities: Stories of EPIC-N Impact from Durban, Harare, Lusaka, Gaborone, and cases in Kenya and Uganda – EPIC and START Mzime Murisa
    Evening Short talks and Poster competition – Future Earth Africa Hub and the National Research Foundation NRF
    8:00 – 8:30 Tea & Registration
    8:30 – 10:00
    Plenary 2: Advancing Sustainability Science in Africa: Innovations, Investments, and Research Pathways

    PLENARY
    10:05 – 11:35
    Plenary 3: NEXUS: Towards Justice in Planning and Resource Dynamics 

    PLENARY
    11:35 – 11:45 Mid Morning Tea Break
    11:45 – 13:15
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Integrating indigenous knowledge systems into environmental decision-making. Lead Organizer: Herbert Mba Aki
    ONLINE ONLY

    Nouvelles technologies pour une agriculture durable : L’expérience algérienne en recensement et réhabilitation des terres . Lead Organizer: Youcef Mbenni
    PLENARY ROOM – FRENCH 

    Sustainability thinking, approaches and practices in Africa’s regional and local contexts
    Organizer: Maano Ramutsindela
    ROOM 1 

    Strengthening Gender Inclusion in Research among Academic Staff at African Universities Through Transformative Leadership. Lead Organizer: Annette Okoth
    ROOM 2  

    PEGASuS in Action: Innovations from the Global South – real world solutions addressing climate resilience, nature based solutions, and disaster risk management. Lead Organizers: Judit Ungvari and Makyba Charles-Ayinde ROOM 3 

    The EPIC community engagement Journey for societally impactful engagement and research: Lessons from East Africa. Lead Organizer: Mzime Murisa
    ROOM 4 

    Shaping Africa’s water future for sustainable and equitable development – Lead Organizer: Nelson Odume
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    Empowering Young Minds: Bridging the Innovation-Research-Policy-Community Divide – Lead Organizers: Reinhold Mangundu and Faten Attig Bahar
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    13:15 – 14:15 Lunch Break
    14:15 – 15:45
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Be Belmont Applicable: Tips for Successful Belmont Forum Grant Submissions -Lead organizer:Connie Bolte
    ONLINE ONLY

    Transformation conference session
    PLENARY ROOM

    Amplifying ECR (students) and the classroom (teaching) experiences through research and practice in community and public engagement using the EPIC model. Lead Organizer: Mzime Murisa
    ROOM 1 

    Transforming Ocean-Climate Innovations to support a sustainable blue economy in Africa. Lead Organizer: Peter Busumprah
    ROOM 2  

    PEGASuS II: Strengthening Collaboration, Impact, and Accountability (Closed Session). Lead Organizers: Judit Ungvari and Makyba Charles-Ayinde
    ROOM 3 

    Advancing People-Centered Early Warning Systems: Integrating Science, Policy, and Practice. Lead Organizer: Isha Bhasin – WMO WWRP
    ROOM 4 

    Engaging with Policies for Managing Land Investments to Promote Sustainable Communities that are Water, Food and Energy Secure in Africa – Lead Organizers: Blessing Charuka and Nhlanhla Cyril Mbatha
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    Science Shaping Society: Perspectives from Leaders in Research and Innovation – Lead Organizer: Monika Bauer, IIASA
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    15:45 – 16:00 Afternoon Break
    16:00 – 17:30
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Transdisciplinary Research – Exploring Challenges and opportunities- Lead Organizer: Connie Bolte
    ONLINE ONLY

    Bridging Knowledge Systems: Traditional and Scientific Approaches to Forest Resilience in Africa. Lead Organizer: Kades BEN MABIALA
    PLENARY ROOM – FRENCH 

    Seed-Dating: planting the seeds of connection for sustainable solutions across Africa and beyond. Lead Organizer: Puleng Makhoalibe
    ROOM 1 

    Empowering Rural Women for Climate Resilience: Bridging Gender Gaps and Advancing Women in Entrepreneurship for Mitigation and Adaptation. Lead Organizer: Mary Chibwe
    ROOM 2  

    Future Earth Open Science Discussion – Joint Future Earth US & Africa discussion – Lead Organizers : Erica Key, Faten Attig Bahar and Michael Nxumalo
    ROOM 3 

    10 Centering Justice in the Climate Crisis and Maternal and Reproductive Health. Lead Organizer: Dr Adelaide Lusambili
    ROOM 4 

    Closed Session
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    Creative facilitation methods and tools for knowledge co-creation of or for research and policy linking. Isha Bhasin – WMO WWRP
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    17:30 – 18:00
    Second Day Closing
    18:30 – 21:00
    GALA DINNER and networking – Invitation only
    8:00 – 8:30 Tea & Registration
    8:30 – 10:00
    Plenary 4 – Empowering the Global South: Building Bridges Through Partnerships

    PLENARY
    10:00 – 11:30
    Plenary 5 – Show of Science and Innovation in East Africa: Inter-Institutional Dialogue

    PLENARY
    11:30 – 11:40 Mid Morning Tea Break
    11:40 – 13:10
    SRI Parallel Sessions

    Close session
    PLENARY ROOM – FRENCH 

    Catalysing the Right to Science in Africa: Advancing Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Research and Innovation.Lead Organizer : Vincent Nkundimana Science For Africa Foundation
    ROOM 1 

    Developing strategies and systems of approach to strengthen the Water-Energy-Food-Health Nexus in Conflict Prone and climate change affected regions of Africa. Lead Organizer: Thokozani Simelane
    ROOM 2  

    Science and Innovation for Transformation: Strengthening STI Policy for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States . Lead Organizer: ISTIC – Hannah
    ROOM 3 

    Politics of climate adaptation: Navigating injustices in coastal adaptation. Lead Organizer: Dr Donatus Bapentire Angnuureng and Blessing Cheruka
    ROOM 4 

    Sustainability thinking, approaches and practices in Africa’s regional and local contexts
    Organizer: Maano Ramutsindela
    ROOM 5 – FEAH Community 

    ECRs close session
    ROOM 6 – ECRs WORKSHOPS 
    13:10 – 14:00 Lunch Break
    14:00 – 15:00
    Closing Ceremony and Awards 
    15:00 – 17:00
    Advisory Board Meeting – Close Meeting

    Sponsors

    Lead Partners

     Partners

    OPEN ACCESS CONGRESS PROGRAM

    East Africa Time

    Day 1: June 4th, 2025

    • 08:30-09:15 – Opening & Remarks by Partners
    • 09:15 – 10:45 – Plenary 1: Bridging Science and Policy for Sustainable Impact
    • 11:00-12:30 – Empowering Sustainability Science in Africa: Integrating Efforts and Addressing Continental Challenges through the Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Centre – Lead Organizer:Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Center
    • 11:00-12:30 – Public Engagement in Transdisciplinary Research Projects: Networks and Frameworks to Guide Your Work – PART 1- Joint EPC-N, Start, Future Earth Session. Lead Organizer: Gavin Luter, Mzime Murisa and Faten Attig Bahar
    • 13:30-15:00 – What should Africa do to address its complex, Contemporary sustainability Challenges – Lead Organizers: Nelson Odume add the names of the clusters leads
    • 13:30-15:00 – Public Engagement in Transdisciplinary Research Projects: Networks and Frameworks to Guide Your Work. – PART 2- Joint EPC-N, Start, Future Earth Session. Lead Organizer: Gavin Luter, Mzime Murisa and Faten Attig Bahar
    • 15:15-16:45 – Unlocking Sustainable Futures: Leveraging Assistive Technology to Empower People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Lead Organizer: Kowenje Chrispine
    • 15:15-16:45 – Expert Workshop on Scientific Writing for Sustainability Science. Lead Organizer: JCAS
    • 17:00-18:30 – Marine Pollution along the West African Coast: Status and Effects on Flora and Fauna – Lead Organizer: Brandford Bervell
    • 17:00-18:30 – Be Belmont Eligible – Connie [Online]

    Day 2: June 5th, 2025

    • 08:30-10:00 – Plenary  – :Advancing Sustainability Science in Africa: Innovations, Investments, and Research Pathways
    • 10:05-11:35 – Plenary 3: NEXUS: Towards Justice in Planning and Resource Dynamics
    • 11:45-13:15 – Shaping Africa’s water future for sustainable and equitable development – Lead Organizer: Nelson Odume
    • 11:45-13:15 – Empowering Young Minds: Bridging the Innovation-Research-Policy-Community Divide – Lead Organizers: Reinhold Mangundu and Faten Attig Bahar
    • 14:15-15:45 – Engaging with Policies for Managing Land Investments to Promote Sustainable Communities that are Water, Food and Energy Secure in Africa – Lead Organizers: Blessing Charuka and Nhlanhla Cyril Mbatha
    • 14:15-15:45 – Science Shaping Society: Perspectives from Leaders in Research and Innovation – Lead Organizer: Monika Bauer, IIASA
    • 16:00-17:30 – Creative facilitation methods and tools for knowledge co-creation of or for research and policy linking. Lead Organizer: WMO- WWRP

     

    Day 3: June 6th, 2024

    • 08:30-10:00 – Plenary 4 – Empowering the Global South: Building Scientific Bridges Through Partnerships
    • 10:00-11:30 – Plenary 5 – Show of Science and Innovation in East Africa: Inter-Institutional Dialogue