Three of these packages deal with laboratory issues:
Package 6 -- the role of laboratories in food safety systems;
Package 7 -- quality assurance; and
Package 10 -- business plans.
Package 6 was delivered in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania in March 2013.
Networking is one of the secondary goals of EDES training, in addition to capacity building at the institutional and personal level, both nationally and internationally. This goal was discussed in Dar es Salaam and the participants were keen to improve the cooperation between the laboratories and establish links with similar institutions in the neighbouring countries of the East Africa Community (EAC). This was also encouraged by the trainers who came from Kenya and Uganda.
The following conclusions were made following the training session:
· The training provided a good opportunity for the participants to get acquainted with each other and the activities of the different laboratories, something that was not the case prior to that.
· Participants discovered that many of the challenges they faced in their laboratories e.g. limited access to Technicians to service equipment, are common to most laboratories. Further discussions revealed that some capacity has been accumulated within the region, and could be better utilized across laboratories and across the East African countries.
· Participants suggested initiating 'Twinning' activities with laboratories within the region, as this was expected to be more cost effective and of direct relevance.
· Participants agreed to form a network of Food Laboratories (The East African Laboratory Network – EALN), to collaborate and further the common cause of improving food safety and trade within the EAC.
This network was established as an internet-based working group. The initial members were the participants in Dar es Salaam but the network has been growing steadily since then and now has about 50 members.
Some of the topics which have been discussed on the network are:-
· The use of pesticides, including the regulatory regimes in different countries and regions.
· Grants and stipendia available to researchers in the region
· Research results on issues relevant to the region and laboratory work, in particular
· Progress of integrated pest management
· Available e-learning courses around the world with relevance to laboratories
· Essay contest for the Global Development Network (GDN) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
· Invitations to conferences and workshops around the region
The utility and importance of such cooperation will increase as the number and the level of activity of its members increase.
If you are interested in laboratory work, and are working specifically in a laboratory in Africa, please join the network, not only to receive information but also to contribute and participate as much as possible.
The principal administration is done by Mr. Mwema Felix supported by Dr. Olafur Oddgeirsson.
For membership, please send an email to mwema.felix@gmail.com or olafur.oddgeirsson@coleacp.org
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