21Abr 25
El 2nd Global Congress on Genetic Biocontrol Technologies took place from March 17-20, in Accra, Ghana. The Congress was jointly organized by the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium, Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). Held under the theme “Harnessing Genetic Biocontrol Potential Solutions in a Changing Climate”, the event brought together delegates from 19 countries across different continents. It united professionals from diverse disciplines, including scientists, policymakers, regulatory experts and science communicators.
Participants of the 2nd Global Congress on Genetic Biocontrol Technologies, co-organized by the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium, Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). Photograph: African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium
The first two days of the congress featured intensive pre-congress workshops and courses focusing on:
- Regulatory frameworks and decision-making processes for emerging biotechnologies
- Strategic communication of genetic biocontrol technologies
- Biosafety and biosecurity protocols for high-containment facilities
Participants of the pre-congress course on communicating genetic biocontrol technologies. Photograph: African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium
The pre-congress course on communicating genetic biocontrol technologies attracted mostly journalists and science communicators from the African region.
Participants explored topics such as the value of message mapping, a structured technique for crafting coherent narratives grounded in robust scientific evidence. The course also highlighted the critical role of media relationships in effective science communication. Scientists attending the course were encouraged to identify and utilize appropriate media channels suited to specific messages. They also gained a better understanding of the importance of proactively organizing field visits, media briefings, and events to support accurate reporting of scientific advances, and of consistently sharing timely and reliable information to media representatives.
The course also highlighted how clear and targeted strategies can enhance communication with different stakeholders. For instance, for farmers and rural communities, interactive methods such as community meetings, radio dramas, and practical demonstrations were recommended for more effective engagement.
The course clearly demonstrated that effective science communication requires simplifying complex scientific concepts, proactively addressing misinformation, and engaging stakeholders through relatable stories and visual aids. Overall, the course equipped participants with practical and strategic communication tools to effectively communicate about genetic biocontrol technologies. As research in this field continues to evolve, effective and transparent communication remains critical for fostering public trust and informed engagement.
