Building NGO capacity: 2005 - 2007
PAN UK worked with PAN Africa in West Africa, and AGENDA in East Africa, to initiate NGO networks in all Phase 1 countries (Ethiopia, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Tunisia), raise awareness among NGOs of the issue of obsolete pesticides, and support certain capacity building activities to enable NGOs to further their knowledge and expertise regarding obsoletes.

NEW... The final report from the international consultation on Potential NGO roles in prevention components of ASP projects is now available. This meeting was held in Arusha, Tanzania on 29-30 January 2007, where participants discussed IPM and alternatives to chemical pest control as an important element of prevention components of national ASP projects. The second document is a compiled report on the status of IPM implementation in five ASP countries, with an accent on NGO contributions. Potential NGO roles in prevention components of ASP projects IPM Implementation status report

In July and October 2005, 2 regional NGO training workshops were organised (in Mali for French-speaking, and Tanzania for English-speaking), with participants from each of the Phase 1 countries. The training workshop included presentations from PAN UK about the ASP, and from experts on disposal, IPM, and communications issues as they relate to the ASP. We also discussed the various conventions and codes relevant for pesticide management and prevention of obsolete stockpiles. After both workshops, PAN and national NGOs contributed to journalist workshops that were organised by WWF.

Following the regional workshops, national meetings were organised in each country by NGOs who had attended the regional workshops. At the national meetings, the ASP was presented to a much larger group of NGOs, in conjunction with the national project management units, and interested NGOs formed a network and selected a national coordinator. This national coordinator was then charged with creating a national ‘stakeholder map’ of relevant organisations and projects within the country, and with maintaining a regular communication with the network.

PAN UK and PAN Africa created a number of awareness raising materials for the ASP, including a special issue of Pesticides News on obsolete pesticides and a number of posters on the dangers of stockpiles, their link with locust control, and container management. an ASP NGO manual; a video on obsolete pesticides and NGOs; and issue briefs and reports, as well as articles and features in PAN UK and PAN Africa’s regular publications.

Partners also conducted case studies on pesticide stockpiles, pesticide trade and distribution, and the impacts of stockpiles on surrounding communities. PAN Africa carried out research into the use of pesticides in the battle against the locust invasion of West Africa in 2004, and the consequences on the situation of stockpiles in the region.

A number of training events were also provided for NGOs from all Phase 1 countries. PAN Africa organised a Lobbying and Advocacy training in Tunisia in 2005: Community-based Pack on Pesticide Monitoring (CPAM) methodology by PAN Asia Pacific: and Ecological Monitoring of Pesticide Impacts training NGOs, academics, and government agents in carrying out an ecological monitoring programme to investigate the impacts of pesticides on wildlife populations.

PAN UK also represents NGOs on the ASP Implementation Committee. Through regular telephone conferences with other ASP partners (FAO, World Bank, CLI, WWF) we coordinate NGO inputs, for example participation at the 2006 Stakeholder Forum held in Cape Town, where 4 NGO representatives from 3 countries attended