11 March 2016. Gent, Belgium. Department of Bioanalysis, Laboratory of Food Analysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Compilation of the presentations made during the visit and meeting with Prof. Dr. Pharm.D. Sarah De Saeger and doctoral students :
Melody Hove, Ugent, University of Zimbabwe (03/01/14 - now), “Human dietary exposure to mycotoxins in Zimbabwe and related risk assessment and management”
Cynthia Chilaka, Ugent, McPherson University (01/01/2015 - now), ” Fusarium mycotoxins and their masked forms in Nigerian foods: occurrence and influence of traditional processing methods”
Abebe Ayelign (Ethiopia – PhD student at Addis Ababa University, but performing his analysis of biomarkers in urine in my lab)
Prevention and control of aflatoxin contamination in value chains: Contrib...Francois Stepman
25th January 2016. Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on “Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”.
Background: Food losses, issue of aflatoxin, challenges, abbreviations followed by GIZ project activities:
Promotion of value chains and reduction of risk of aflatoxin contamination: by the “Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector”, commissioned by BMZ Special Initiative “ONEWORLD – No Hunger!”.
Further (planned) activities to reduce post-harvest losses and possible aflatoxin contamination: by various projects worldwide
Aflasafe technology in Zambia: Upscaling and dissemination in other countries in Africa: by IITA/CGIAR - CCAFS, GIZ/ITAACC, Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA, PACA and other partners
Aflatoxin risk assessment as part of the Rapid Food Loss Assessment Tool (RLAT): by Sector Project Sustainable Agriculture (SV NAREN)
Post Harvest Management Technologies for Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination in ...Francois Stepman
Dr. Loveness K. Nyanga
Senior Lecturer and Researcher, University of Zimbabwe
PhD, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
MSC and BSc, University of Zimbabwe
Management of Aflatoxin in Africa: working group on aflatoxin, Brussels 25/01/2016
Charles Nkonge (Kenya) Highlights of maize aflatoxin research in Kenya
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Expertise of CIRAD-UMR Qualisud for aflatoxin control in AfricaFrancois Stepman
Catherine Brabet (CIRAD, France) Expertise of CIRAD-UMR Qualisud for aflatoxin control in Africa
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Findings of the report on Mycotoxin Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Francois Stepman
Prof. David Miller (Carleton University, Canada)
Workshop on “Engaging the Health and Nutrition Sectors in Aflatoxin Control in Africa”
March 23 – 24, 2016
Monica Olsen (National Food Agency of Sweden) Risk Benefit Assessment
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Sarah De Saeger (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University) The expertise of Mycotox at the laboratory of Food Analysis
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Albert Borschette Conference Center, 36 rue Froissart
Prevention and control of aflatoxin contamination in value chains: Contrib...Francois Stepman
25th January 2016. Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on “Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”.
Background: Food losses, issue of aflatoxin, challenges, abbreviations followed by GIZ project activities:
Promotion of value chains and reduction of risk of aflatoxin contamination: by the “Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector”, commissioned by BMZ Special Initiative “ONEWORLD – No Hunger!”.
Further (planned) activities to reduce post-harvest losses and possible aflatoxin contamination: by various projects worldwide
Aflasafe technology in Zambia: Upscaling and dissemination in other countries in Africa: by IITA/CGIAR - CCAFS, GIZ/ITAACC, Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA, PACA and other partners
Aflatoxin risk assessment as part of the Rapid Food Loss Assessment Tool (RLAT): by Sector Project Sustainable Agriculture (SV NAREN)
Post Harvest Management Technologies for Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination in ...Francois Stepman
Dr. Loveness K. Nyanga
Senior Lecturer and Researcher, University of Zimbabwe
PhD, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
MSC and BSc, University of Zimbabwe
Management of Aflatoxin in Africa: working group on aflatoxin, Brussels 25/01/2016
Charles Nkonge (Kenya) Highlights of maize aflatoxin research in Kenya
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Expertise of CIRAD-UMR Qualisud for aflatoxin control in AfricaFrancois Stepman
Catherine Brabet (CIRAD, France) Expertise of CIRAD-UMR Qualisud for aflatoxin control in Africa
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Findings of the report on Mycotoxin Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Francois Stepman
Prof. David Miller (Carleton University, Canada)
Workshop on “Engaging the Health and Nutrition Sectors in Aflatoxin Control in Africa”
March 23 – 24, 2016
Monica Olsen (National Food Agency of Sweden) Risk Benefit Assessment
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Sarah De Saeger (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University) The expertise of Mycotox at the laboratory of Food Analysis
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Albert Borschette Conference Center, 36 rue Froissart
FANRPAN Policy Brief: Stemming Aflatoxin in the Groundnut Chain in Sub-Sahara...Francois Stepman
This policy brief has been specifically
prepared to highlight the importance of aflatoxins on human health and trade in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It
contextualizes, (i) the preharvest and post-harvest factors that influence the proliferation of molds and aflatoxin
contamination in groundnuts in the SSA region, (ii) discusses feasible prevention and management strategies and
(iii) presents recommendations .
Twenty years research on aflatoxin in Europe: what benefits for Africa? Francois Stepman
Twenty years research on aflatoxin in Europe: what benefits for Africa?
Antonio Logrieco, Istituto Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Bari, Italy (coordinator of the Mycokey project under H2020- SFS-13-2015 call on Biological contamination of crops and the food chain: A contribution to a long-term collaboration with China on food safety).
Improving Food Safety in Africa
Brad Flett - Agricultural Research Council - Grain Crops Institute, Potchefstroom, RSA. President of the African Society of Mycotoxicology
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
The role of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA)Francois Stepman
The role of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA)
Amare Ayelew , Program Manager, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Andrew Emmott, Twin&Twin Trading, Senior Associate (Nuts), London, UK.
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Crops drying to a safe moisture content and handling: challenges facing Afric...Francois Stepman
Benoit Gnonlonfin (INRAB Benin/Consultant independant) Crops drying to a safe moisture content and handling: challenges facing African countries.
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Experiences about aflatoxins in Serbia: what could be relevant for Africa?Francois Stepman
Experiences about aflatoxins in Serbia: what could be relevant for Africa?
Ferenc Bagi, University of Novi Sad, Serbia (member of the MyToolBox project under H2020- SFS-13-2015 call as well).
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Albert Borschette Conference Center, 36 rue Froissart
Monique Denijs (WUR, The Netherlands)
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
IFPRI Policy Seminar "Aflatoxins: Finding Solutions for Improved Food Safety" held at IFPRI on November 5, 2013. Presentation by Andrew Emmott, Twin & Twin Trading.
Food security and food safety
Food Security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active (productive) and healthy life (World Food Summit, 1996. In: FAO 2006. Policy Brief).
Food safety: microbial contaminants and chemical toxicants below tolerance levels (Kramer, 1990. Southern J. Agric. Economics, 33-40).
Factors that affect food safety
Presence of microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses) (Christensen, 1973, Seed Sci. Technol. 1: 547-562)
Presence of physical materials
Toxin production (Miller et al., 1995, J. Stored Prod. Res. 31: 1-16; Shephard, 2008, Chem. Soc. Rev. 37: 2468-2477) among others by fungi
Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp and Penicillium spp (Pitt, 2000, Med. Mycol. 38: 17-22
Postharvest Loss Reduction & Mycotoxins programs in USAID’s Feed the Future I...Francois Stepman
Ahmed Kablan, Ph.D.
International Nutrition & Public Health Adviser
USAID /Bureau For Food Security/Office of Agriculture Research and Policy
USDA/ARS/Office of International Research Program
Stemming Aflatoxin pre- and post-harvest waste in the groundnut value chain (...Francois Stepman
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Presentation by Lamon Rutten : "Value chain finance and risk management" presented at the Regional forum on cassava in Central Africa, from 6 to 9 December, 2016, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. More information: http://www.cta.int/en/news/regional-forum-on-cassava-in-central-africa.html
FANRPAN Policy Brief: Stemming Aflatoxin in the Groundnut Chain in Sub-Sahara...Francois Stepman
This policy brief has been specifically
prepared to highlight the importance of aflatoxins on human health and trade in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It
contextualizes, (i) the preharvest and post-harvest factors that influence the proliferation of molds and aflatoxin
contamination in groundnuts in the SSA region, (ii) discusses feasible prevention and management strategies and
(iii) presents recommendations .
Twenty years research on aflatoxin in Europe: what benefits for Africa? Francois Stepman
Twenty years research on aflatoxin in Europe: what benefits for Africa?
Antonio Logrieco, Istituto Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Bari, Italy (coordinator of the Mycokey project under H2020- SFS-13-2015 call on Biological contamination of crops and the food chain: A contribution to a long-term collaboration with China on food safety).
Improving Food Safety in Africa
Brad Flett - Agricultural Research Council - Grain Crops Institute, Potchefstroom, RSA. President of the African Society of Mycotoxicology
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
The role of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA)Francois Stepman
The role of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA)
Amare Ayelew , Program Manager, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Andrew Emmott, Twin&Twin Trading, Senior Associate (Nuts), London, UK.
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Crops drying to a safe moisture content and handling: challenges facing Afric...Francois Stepman
Benoit Gnonlonfin (INRAB Benin/Consultant independant) Crops drying to a safe moisture content and handling: challenges facing African countries.
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Experiences about aflatoxins in Serbia: what could be relevant for Africa?Francois Stepman
Experiences about aflatoxins in Serbia: what could be relevant for Africa?
Ferenc Bagi, University of Novi Sad, Serbia (member of the MyToolBox project under H2020- SFS-13-2015 call as well).
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Albert Borschette Conference Center, 36 rue Froissart
Monique Denijs (WUR, The Netherlands)
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
IFPRI Policy Seminar "Aflatoxins: Finding Solutions for Improved Food Safety" held at IFPRI on November 5, 2013. Presentation by Andrew Emmott, Twin & Twin Trading.
Food security and food safety
Food Security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active (productive) and healthy life (World Food Summit, 1996. In: FAO 2006. Policy Brief).
Food safety: microbial contaminants and chemical toxicants below tolerance levels (Kramer, 1990. Southern J. Agric. Economics, 33-40).
Factors that affect food safety
Presence of microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses) (Christensen, 1973, Seed Sci. Technol. 1: 547-562)
Presence of physical materials
Toxin production (Miller et al., 1995, J. Stored Prod. Res. 31: 1-16; Shephard, 2008, Chem. Soc. Rev. 37: 2468-2477) among others by fungi
Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp and Penicillium spp (Pitt, 2000, Med. Mycol. 38: 17-22
Postharvest Loss Reduction & Mycotoxins programs in USAID’s Feed the Future I...Francois Stepman
Ahmed Kablan, Ph.D.
International Nutrition & Public Health Adviser
USAID /Bureau For Food Security/Office of Agriculture Research and Policy
USDA/ARS/Office of International Research Program
Stemming Aflatoxin pre- and post-harvest waste in the groundnut value chain (...Francois Stepman
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Presentation by Lamon Rutten : "Value chain finance and risk management" presented at the Regional forum on cassava in Central Africa, from 6 to 9 December, 2016, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. More information: http://www.cta.int/en/news/regional-forum-on-cassava-in-central-africa.html
11 March 2016. Gent, Belgium. PAEPARD meeting with a delegation of Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs. This organisation relates directly agribusiness initiatives with Belgian (SME) entrepreneurs.
Food Safety – Mycotoxins, including aflatoxin – challenges for research and i...Francois Stepman
EU – African Collaboration on Food Systems for Nutrition:
24th January 2017
Food Safety – Mycotoxins, including aflatoxin – challenges for research and innovation - Approaches to Innovation
By
Andrew Emmott
PAEPARD,
Aflatoxin Expert Group
18 March 2016. PAEPARD welcomed its 6000th member. It has been a long way since the inception of this community in September 2009 to facilitate an online discussion of some 100
participants about the GCARD RoadMap (ahead of the first GCARD conference of Montpelier - March 2010). It's rather a coincidence that this "magic figure" is reached at the eve of the 3rd GCARD conference (Johannesburg, April 2016). The latest member wrote as motivation: To have access to cutting-edge
agriculture related knowledge and information resources as well as [funding] opportunities. (18/03)
18 mars 2016. PAEPARD vient d'accueillir son 6000e membre. C'est un long chemin depuis la création de cette communauté en
Septembre 2009 pour faciliter une discussion en ligne de quelque 100 participants concernant le GCARD RoadMap (en préparation à la première conférence GCARD de Montpelier - Mars 2010). La coïncidence veut que ce «chiffre magique» est atteint à la veille de la 3ème conférence GCARD (Johannesburg, avril 2016).
La motivation du dernier adhérant en dit plus: Pour avoir accès aux ressources, connaissances et informations de pointe liées à
l'agriculture ainsi que les opportunités [de financement]. (18/03)
Pour célébrer cette occasion, vous trouverez ci-dessous le lien pour un guide rapide sur la façon d'utiliser le Dgroups du PAEPARD en ligne (présentation PPT en anglais et en français).
Mycotoxigenic Fungi Contamination and Aflatoxin Awareness in Plant-based Chic...Francois Stepman
Presentation by Owiro, N.O., Ochuodho, J.O., Rachuonyo, H.A., Gohole, L.S., Tarus, J.K., Ooko, L.A., Okello, E.O., Munyasi, J. W. & Omega, J.A.
The Fifth African Higher Education Week & RUFORUM Biennial Conference Venue: Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town South Africa | Dates: 17th – 22nd October, 2016
9 January 2016. Sojagnon (a PAEPARD supported consortium) in Partnership with the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) held a webinar entitled “Hygienic Practices for Food Safety in Small and Medium Sized Businesses.”
Presentation held by Fiona Percy, Care International, at the learning event the Community Based Adaptation and Resilience in East and Southern Africa’s Drylands, held in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia by Care International Adaptation Learning Program for Africa (ALP), The CGIAR research program on Climate change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and African Insect Science for Food and Health (ICIPE)
The relation between the agri private sector and agricultural researchFrancois Stepman
Include agri business in ARD or the private sector to commission research?
1-3 October 2015. Entebbe, Uganda. First Food & Business Applied Research ARF and CRF projects workshop. Food & Business Applied Research ARF and CRF projects workshopEnhancing research impact for food security. Strengthening knowledge co-creation and research uptake
First Food & Business Applied Research ARF and CRF projects workshop.
Postharvest management technologies for reducing aflatoxin contamination in m...Francois Stepman
Loveness K. Nyanga (University of Zimbabwe/Action contre la faim)
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
International partnerships - Shining light on the neglected zoonosesILRI
Poster prepared by Elizabeth Cook, Lian Thomas, Will de Glanville, Mark Bronsvoort, Phil Toye, Bernard Agwanda, Njeri Wamae, Sam Kariuki and Eric Fèvre for the Medical Research Council (MRC) centenary celebration held at the Royal Society, London, UK, 10 December 2013.
The poster won third prize in a competition organized for MRC-funded early-career researchers to communicate how international collaboration has been pivotal to their research. Elizabeth Cook's PhD studentship at the University of Edinburgh is funded by the MRC.
Segenet Kelemu - African edible-insects: diversity and pathway to food and n...SIANI
Segenet Kelemu, Director General of ICIPE (African Insect Science for Food and Health) about the potential of insects as a way to improve food security and nutrition
MYCOTOXIN REDUCTION IN THE FOOD AND FEED CHAIN CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES IN...Francois Stepman
Prof. Sarah De Saeger, Dr. Arnau Vidal, Dr. Marthe De Boevre
30 - 31 August 2018. Gent-Zwijnaarde, Belgium. IPBO conference 2018: “Scientific innovation for a sustainable development of African agriculture”
Metagenomics in food safety: What's the added value? Case studies from the li...ILRI
Presentation by Silvia Alonso, Kristina Roesel, Stephen Opiyo, Francesca Stomeo and Delia Grace at the FAO Regional Meeting on Agricultural Biotechnologies in Sustainable Food Systems and Nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 22–24 November 2017.
Task force of risk assessment for food safety in Vietnam: Operational researc...ILRI
Poster by Hung Nguyen-Viet presented at the 9th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health, Basel, Switzerland, 6-10 September 2015.
The future of food safety in Africa: Research perspectiveILRI
Keynote presentation by Delia Grace, Silvia Alonso, Kebede Amenu, Elizabeth Cook, Michel Dione, Theo Knight-Jones, Johanna Lindahl, Florence Mutua, Hung Nguyen-Viet, Kristina Roesel and Lian Thomas at the virtual Food Safety Conference for Africa, 10–11 November 2021.
International Livestock Research Institute One Health initiatives in Africa: ...ILRI
Poster by Amos Lucky Mhone, James Akoko, Nicholas Ngwili, Delia Grace, Siobhan Mor, Lian Thomas, Kristina Roesel, Eric M. Fèvre, Bernard Bett, Arshnee Moodley, Theo Knight-Jones and Hung Nguyen-Viet presented at the 19th annual Southern African Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SASVEPM) congress, 24-26 August 2022, East London, South Africa.
More pork and less parasites: A farm to fork approach for assessment and mana...ILRI
Presentation by Kristina Roesel, Peter-Henning Clausen, Reinhard Fries, Maximilian Baumann, Karsten Noeckler and Delia Grace at a parasitological colloquium held at Free University Berlin, Germany, 18 October 2013.
Food safety assessment and challenges along small-scale pig systems in VietnamILRI
Presentation by Fred Unger, Hung Nguyen-Viet, Sinh Dang-Xuan, Phuc Pham-Duc, Pham Van Hung, Lucila Lapar, Karen Marshall, Duong Van Nhiem, Kohei Makita and Delia Grace at the first joint conference of the Association of Institutions for Tropical Veterinary Medicine and the Society of Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany, 4–8 September 2016.
Similar to The Laboratory of Food Analysis at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UGent) (20)
The Innovative Agriculture for Smallholder Resilience (iNASHR) project (Egypt) was implemented over 3 years during which there was the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to instability in farm prices and uncertainties in water availability.
Despite this, 18 teams of Entrepreneurs for Rural Access (ERAs) serving as digital extension service providers were able to reach more than 60,000 people in rural communities between 2021 and 2023.
Three specially commissioned “farmer-to-farmer” style training videos were produced (see at the bottom of this blog post),
and 60 other relevant Access Agriculture videos were translated into Arabic and shown to farmers.
These active service providers, half of whom are women, used a solar-powered smart projector to reach communities where access to power supply, internet connection and mobile phone signal can be challenging.
West Africa Scene Setting African Continental Master Plan (CMP) for electrici...Francois Stepman
6 February 2024. Drive Renewable Energy Investments in West Africa Hosted by IRENA Coalition for Action
Recording forthcoming
The session covered the African Continental Master Plan (CMP) for electricity generation and transmission, delved into West Africa's electricity sector, and presented recommendations from the Policy Brief titled:
IRENA (2023) Scaling up renewable energy investments in West Africa # 12 p.
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2024/02/drive-renewable-energy-investments-in.html
Scaling up renewable energy investments in West AfricaFrancois Stepman
6 February 2024. Drive Renewable Energy Investments in West Africa Hosted by IRENA Coalition for Action
Recording forthcoming
The session covered the African Continental Master Plan (CMP) for electricity generation and transmission, delved into West Africa's electricity sector, and presented recommendations from the Policy Brief titled:
IRENA (2023) Scaling up renewable energy investments in West Africa # 12 p.
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2024/02/drive-renewable-energy-investments-in.html
Advances of the AU-EU FNSSA Partnership towards Food Systems TransformationFrancois Stepman
23-25 January 2024. Joint SCAR workshop: “Research needs and priorities for the transformation to Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) at European and global level”
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2024/01/research-needs-and-priorities-for.html
Research needs for sustainable food systems – concepts and prioritiesFrancois Stepman
23-25 January 2024. Joint SCAR workshop: “Research needs and priorities for the transformation to Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) at European and global level”
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2024/01/research-needs-and-priorities-for.html
The Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) of the EC: its principles and working p...Francois Stepman
6 - 17 March 2021. In 2021, Aarhus University hosted the first European Seminar on science-based advice in agriculture and environment
More than 200 researchers and advisers from all over Europe participated. One of the conclusions was, that there is a need to learn from each other, to share best practices and to discuss the main principles, in order to strengthen the evidence based policy development in Europe. See: https://paepard.blogspot.com/2024/01/science-based-advice-for-policy-in.html
Transformation: An introductory guide to fundamental change for researchers a...Francois Stepman
7 Sep 2023 12:30 - 14:00 CEST. Transformation: An introductory guide to fundamental change for researchers and change makers in a world of crises
Fazey, I and Colvin, J. (2023). Transformation: An introductory guide to fundamental change for researchers and change makers in a world of crises - A Report for the Transforming UK Food Systems SPF Programme. University of York, Emerald Network Ltd. #52 p.
Online workshop based on a newly published report by Professor Ioan Fazey (University of York) and Dr John Colvin (Emerald Network Ltd) for the UKRI Transforming UK Food Systems SPF Programme.
This workshop was be an opportunity to learn, and engage with others, about the concept of transformational change in a context of a rapidly changing world.
The authors gave an overview of the concept of transformation and highlighted some of the critical aspects that need to be considered when embarking on an initiative, approach or campaign which is intended to be transformational. They talked about the challenges and opportunities of adopting these concepts in practice and research and there was an opportunity for participants to explore with others their own understanding and approaches to transformation.
Presentation by Kathelijne Beenen, Netherlands Space Office - Space for Climate Adaptation and Food Security
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2023/05/earth-observation-artificial.html
Machine learning for the environment: monitoring the pulse of our Planet with...Francois Stepman
Presentation by Davis Tuia, EPFL - Machine learning for the environment: monitoring the pulse of our Planet with remotely sensed data
25 May 2023. 9H30 - 16H25 Earth Observation & Artificial Intelligence solutions for climate change challenges
This new edition of the AI4Copernicus event focused on climate change and its impact on energy, food and water security. To withstand current and future pressures on our natural resources, integrated and sustainable management practices are required to balance the needs of people, nature and the economy.
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2023/05/earth-observation-artificial.html
‘How is the African insurance industry responding to climate change?’Francois Stepman
6 June 2023. ‘How is the African insurance industry responding to climate change?’
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2023/06/how-is-african-insurance-industry.html
The insurance industry is exposed to the risks of climate change and that risk is increasing. Insurers should be aware of these risks and the potential impact on their business. A 2019 global survey [With Climate Impacts Growing, Insurance Companies Face Big Challenges] found that 72 percent of insurance companies believe climate change will affect their business, but 80 percent of them have not taken significant steps to lessen climate risks. Moreover, insurance companies invest the money from the premiums they collect in the financial markets. They have $582 billion invested in fossil fuels investments that could be devalued as climate risks increase.
As natural disasters become more frequent and more costly, insurance companies are facing big challenges. If insurers are to weather the storms ahead, they’ll need to make some changes. The insurance industry needs to make substantial changes to deal with its own climate risks. Some of these changes could also enable insurance companies to help speed the transition to a net-zero society.
Speakers
Diana Castro (picture) is part of UNEP. As the Programme
Supervisor of the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) initiative, Diana oversees the largest collaboration between the United Nations and the insurance industry, which has over 250
members worldwide committed to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance risks into their decision-making.
Lesley Ndlovu (picture) is currently the Chief Executive Officer of African Risk Capacity “ARC” Ltd, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kelvin Massingham is Director of Risk and Resilience at FSD Africa, where he is responsible for driving financial market innovation in Africa to increase resilience and create pathways for green finance to flow towards a net-zero and nature-positive future.
How are African banks coping with Climate ChangeFrancois Stepman
16 May 2023. This webinar discussed how climate-related risks threaten the functioning of banking institutions as well as the stability of the financial system.
Climate change and climate policy affect the balance sheets and business models of banks in different ways. African banks are vulnerable to the increasing frequency and severity of climate change shocks. They are also increasingly aware of the importance of adopting green financing principles, seeking to address risks and more importantly, to grasp new opportunities.
However, only 17% of banks have so far introduced specific green financing products, and these are estimated to account for only 2-20% of their portfolio . The webinar discussed how climate-related risks threaten the functioning of banking institutions as well as the stability of the financial system. The discussions also shed light on initiatives of banks to implement sustainable practices and central banks to create an enabling environment for sustainable finance drawing on international best practices.
http://paepard.blogspot.com/2023/05/climate-and-african-financial-sector.html
Webinar 1: Climate Change: What does it mean for the Financial Sector in Africa?
Financial institutions can play an important role in society’s adaptation to climate change risks mitigation. This webinar will highlight risks and opportunities that climate change poses for the financial sector in Africa and discuss how financial institutions can best respond to these, in a sustainable manner. In particular, the webinar is expected to:
Raise awareness on climate change within the financial industry in Africa and facilitate a broader dialogue aimed at integrating climate change considerations;
Clarify the pivotal role the financial sector can play in mitigating climate change risks and adapting to its effects; and
Present examples of transformative change in financial institutions’ practices
Speakers
Paul SMITH has worked for the climate team at the United Nations’ Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) for over four years. Paul leads UNEP FI’s climate adaptation and physical risk work supporting the Climate Risk Programme, the Climate Adaptation Working Group of the Principles for Responsible Banking and the Adaptation and Resilience Investor Collaborative (ARIC). He also leads on climate policy in partnership with the Investor Agenda and has co-authored The Climate Risk Landscape, Physically Fit? and Adapting to a New Climate, as well as contributing to Climate Risk: Managing the Financial Risk and Funding the Transition
Anthony NYONG is the Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the AfDB. Mr. Nyong has about 30 years of experience in environmental and natural resources management, renewable energy and green growth. He was a Coordinating Lead Author for the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report and a member of the IPCC Task Group on Data and Scenario Support for Impact and Climate Analysis.
David ASHIAGBOR is the Chief Financial Sector Strategy Officer in the Financial Sector Development Department of the African Development Bank. He is currently leading the design and development of the Bank’s new Financial Sector Development Strategy, in addition to supporting the Director on policy and strategy issues.
Marina FINKEN is the Partnership Coordinator for Making Finance Work For Africa (MFW4A). She is an experienced Finance Professional who, before joining MFW4A had a successful career within Big 4 firms, providing audit and advisory services to large Banking groups and other financial services entities.
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Guest Speaker: Dr. Marlene Lee, PRB, United States
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Speaker bios
This webinar introduces you to how you can use the Research-To-Action (R2A) Plan Section to develop a step-by-step plan to communicate your research findings, attract influential stakeholders, and ensure your research leads to action.
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14 March 2023. Useful applications of ChatGPT in knowledge work
Johannes Schunter showed a number of useful applications in development work ; what the bot is good at and what it is not good at. He is Head of Knowledge Management · Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V., Berlin, Germany.
How to Use the Research Translation Toolkit’s Stakeholder Analysis SectionFrancois Stepman
23 February 2023 Reaching the Right People at the Right Time: How to Use the Stakeholder Analysis Section
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jose Rodriguez, International Consultant, Philippines
This webinar introduced the Stakeholder Analysis Section to identify influential individuals or groups who might use your research, and plan effective engagement with them to increase the impact of your research insights or technical innovations.
February 9 A Vital Resource: Exploring USAID’s Research Translation Toolkit
This webinar introduced the importance of research translation – the process that transforms research findings into a form that is relevant to practitioners or other audiences – and provides a high-level overview of the Research Translation Toolkit, including real world examples of research teams that have used the processes from the toolkit.
Overview of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda & Results of the Public ConsultationFrancois Stepman
23 - 24 November 2022. Nairobi, Kenya and online. AU-EU Innovation Agenda Stakeholder Event
Nairobi by the The European Commission and the African Union Commission.
Have you ever wondered how search works while visiting an e-commerce site, internal website, or searching through other types of online resources? Look no further than this informative session on the ways that taxonomies help end-users navigate the internet! Hear from taxonomists and other information professionals who have first-hand experience creating and working with taxonomies that aid in navigation, search, and discovery across a range of disciplines.
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UIIN Conference, Madrid, 27-29 May 2024
James Wilson, Orkestra and Deusto Business School
Emily Wise, Lund University
Madeline Smith, The Glasgow School of Art
Acorn Recovery: Restore IT infra within minutesIP ServerOne
Introducing Acorn Recovery as a Service, a simple, fast, and secure managed disaster recovery (DRaaS) by IP ServerOne. A DR solution that helps restore your IT infra within minutes.
0x01 - Newton's Third Law: Static vs. Dynamic AbusersOWASP Beja
f you offer a service on the web, odds are that someone will abuse it. Be it an API, a SaaS, a PaaS, or even a static website, someone somewhere will try to figure out a way to use it to their own needs. In this talk we'll compare measures that are effective against static attackers and how to battle a dynamic attacker who adapts to your counter-measures.
About the Speaker
===============
Diogo Sousa, Engineering Manager @ Canonical
An opinionated individual with an interest in cryptography and its intersection with secure software development.
This presentation by Morris Kleiner (University of Minnesota), was made during the discussion “Competition and Regulation in Professions and Occupations” held at the Working Party No. 2 on Competition and Regulation on 10 June 2024. More papers and presentations on the topic can be found out at oe.cd/crps.
This presentation was uploaded with the author’s consent.
This presentation, created by Syed Faiz ul Hassan, explores the profound influence of media on public perception and behavior. It delves into the evolution of media from oral traditions to modern digital and social media platforms. Key topics include the role of media in information propagation, socialization, crisis awareness, globalization, and education. The presentation also examines media influence through agenda setting, propaganda, and manipulative techniques used by advertisers and marketers. Furthermore, it highlights the impact of surveillance enabled by media technologies on personal behavior and preferences. Through this comprehensive overview, the presentation aims to shed light on how media shapes collective consciousness and public opinion.
The Laboratory of Food Analysis at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UGent)
1. Laboratory of Food Analysis
Prof. Dr. Pharm.D. Sarah De Saeger
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Ghent University
2. Laboratory of Food Analysis:
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
800 students
180 personnel staff
3 departments: - Pharmaceutics
- Pharmaceutical analysis
- Bioanalysis: - Laboratory of Food Analysis
- Laboratory of Toxicology
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry
and Clinical Analysis
3. Laboratory of Food Analysis: Prof. dr. Sarah De Saeger:
Post-doctoral researchers:
Dr. Johan Aerts (honorary fellow)
Dr. Natalia Arroyo-Manzanares
Dr. Natalia Beloglazova
Dr. Marthe De Boevre
Dr. José Diana Di Mavungu
Dr. Ellen Heyndrickx
PhD students:
Cynthia Chilaka
Marlies Decleer
Gilke De Middeleer
Karl De Ruyck
Astrid Foubert
Valentina Goftman
Kinga Graniczkowska
Melody Hove
Somar Khalil
Al Ibrahim Traore
Jeroen Walravens
Administrative personnel:
Marianne Bailleul
Annie De Lobelle
Lab technicians:
Kelly Boerjan
Christ’l Detavernier
Tom Devos
Fréderic Dumoulin
Jolien Scheerlinck
Mario Van De Velde
Teaching assistant:
Esther De Rycke
4. Prof. dr. Sarah De Saeger is the founder and coordinator of the MYTOX research
platform. For many years, the research activities in the Laboratory of Food Analysis
have focused on the development and application of various analytical tools (rapid
screening and confirmation) for the determination of mycotoxins in diverse biological
samples (including food, feed, urine, tissues). The Laboratory of Food Analysis is an
accredited laboratory (ISO17025) for multi-mycotoxin analysis in several matrices.
Next to different LC-MS/MS instrumentaria, a new Ultra High-Performance liquid
chromatograph in combination with a Quadrupole Traveling-wave Ion Mobility
Separation (IMS) Time-of-Flight high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS) instrument
has been recently acquired through funding from the Hercules Foundation. This new
equipment will further strengthen the (un)targeted- and metabolomics-based
research performed in this research group.
Prof. dr. Sarah De Saeger is also member of the Ghent University Committee for
Development Cooperation and she successfully organized short training initiatives
(VLIR-UOS-STI) on mycotoxin analysis in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 for people
from developing countries. Furthermore, she is promoter of several (Sandwich) PhD
projects with candidates (and promoted ones) from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cameroon,
Burkina Faso and Malawi.
7. MYTOX
Interdisciplinary research platform on mycotoxins and toxigenic
moulds:
- Toxigenic moulds
- Mycotoxins
- Effects on animal health
- Effects on human health
Eleven research laboratories with more than 50 researchers involved.
More information and contacts: www.mytox.be
8. Laboratory of Food Analysis
MYTOX COORDINATION
Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
-Research Group Food Chemistry and Human Nutrition - nutriFOODchem
-Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation
-Department of Applied Bioscience Engineering
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
-Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Faculty of Sciences
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Research Group
- Laboratory for Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
-Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology
-Agro- and Biotechnology
-Laboratory of Brewing and Biochemistry
www.mytox.be
9. Research: Joint Laboratory of
Mycotoxin Research UGent - Shanghai
Jiao Tong University – Chinese Academy
of Sciences – signed during State Visit
of the Belgian King in China (June 2015)
Education: Short Training on
Mycotoxin Analysis – VLIR-UOS,
Summer 2012, 2013, 2014 ….
Many different projects and
PhD students from different
countries (including developing
countries)
International activities initiated by Prof. Sarah De Saeger
10. Ongoing projects and cooperations with Africa:
KEY-topics:
- Training in analytical methods for mycotoxin detection
- Surveys on mycotoxin occurrence
- Biomonitoring studies to assess human mycotoxin exposure
- Influence of traditional food processing on (modified) mycotoxin
occurrence
Countries in Africa with ongoing cooperation:
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Ethiopia
- Malawi
- Nigeria
- South-Africa
- Zimbabwe
11. • Prof. De Saeger as promotor of defended doctorates with African
candidate:
Emmanuel Njumbe Ediage, UGent, 12/09/2012, “Development of analytical
tools and strategies to assess mycotoxin contamination and exposure: case
study Cameroon”
Limbikani Matumba, UGent, 30/09/2014, “Understanding and tackling the
complexity of the mycotoxin problem in sub-saharan Africa: regulations and
decontamination strategies”
12. • Prof. De Saeger as promotor of ongoing (sandwich) doctorates with
African candidate:
Melody Hove, Ugent, University of Zimbabwe (03/01/14 - now), “Human
dietary exposure to mycotoxins in Zimbabwe and related risk assessment and
management”
Cynthia Chilaka, Ugent, McPherson University (01/01/2015 - now), ” Fusarium
mycotoxins and their masked forms in Nigerian foods: occurrence and
influence of traditional processing methods”
Al Ibrahim Traore, Ugent, (starting 01/06/2016), “The impact of mycotoxin
exposure on malnutrition incidence in Burkina Faso using biomarker analysis”
13. “Human dietary exposure to mycotoxins in Zimbabwe and
related risk assessment and management”
Melody Hove
• Aim
• To develop a science-based reduction
strategy for mycotoxins in locally grown
maize in Zimbabwe such to decrease dietary
exposure of rural subsistence farming
communities to these toxins.
14. Objectives
• To determine mycotoxin contamination of subsistence farmed maize in
Zimbabwe.
• To obtain insight into the possible relationship between agricultural
practices of maize cultivation by rural subsistence farmers and mycotoxin
contamination of the maize.
• To develop a model to predict the occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisins
in subsistence farmed maize cultivated in Zimbabwe.
• To obtain insight into the exposure of the rural subsistence farming
communities in Zimbabwe to AFB1 and FB1 through consumption of
locally grown maize
related human health risk.
• To provide science based recommendations for modified and sustainable
subsistence farming practices for maize cultivation and mycotoxin
legislation in Zimbabwe
15. Project sites
• Manicaland Province
– Chisengu (region I)
– Nyanga (region IIa)
– Chipinge (region IIb)
– Rusape (region IIb)
– Chisumbanje (region V)
• Mashonaland West
Province
– Chinhoyi (region IIa)
– Karoi (region IIa)
– Kadoma (region IIb)
– Mhondoro (region IIb)
261 maize samples have been collected from 95 households since December 2014
16. Fusarium mycotoxins and their modified forms in
Nigerian foods: occurrence and influence of
traditional processing methods
Cynthia A. Chilaka
Aim
• To investigate the occurrence of Fusarium
mycotoxins and modified forms in Nigerian staple
crops and their locally processed food products, as
well as the behaviour of Fusarium mycotoxins and
modified forms during traditional processing of food
products
18. Objectives
• To investigate the occurrence of Fusarium (modified)
mycotoxins forms in Nigerian crops; and their processed
products
• To investigate the effect of traditional processing methods on
the occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins and modified
mycotoxin
• To identify new, unknown modified mycotoxins in the staple
and processed food products
• To compile guidelines in terms of processing and the
reduction of the mycotoxin content in processed foods in
Nigeria
• To sensitize relevant stakeholders in Nigeria towards an
action plan based on the obtained results
19. Sampling sites
• 5 Agro-ecological zones
• 10 States
• 749 samples were collected in 2015 from randomly selected markets
20. “Evaluating the safety of complementary foods
produced at community level using locally available
Ingredients in Ethiopia”
Sub title done at UGent “Assessment of the levels of
aflatoxin exposure among young children using
urinary aflatoxin biomarkers in Ethiopia”
Abebe Ayelign
Aim:
• Assess aflatoxin exposure among the young children
and to correlate with anthropometric
measurements.
21. Objectives
• Measure the anthropometric measurements of the
young children,
• Identify the possible routes of aflatoxin exposure of
the young children using Food Frequency
Questionnaire (FFQ).
• Determine the levels of urinary aflatoxin (AFB1,
AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, and AFM1) with LC-MS/MS.
22. Sampling sites
• 146 complementary food
(CFs) samples were
collected from 20
woredas in four regional
states (Amhara, Tigray,
Oromia and SSNNP) of
Ethiopia.
• For aflatoxin and
microbiological analysis.
• Morning urine samples
(n= 200, aged 1-4 years)
from 10 woredas in
Amhara and Tigray
regions (100 each region)
were collected in January
2016.
• For urinary aflatoxin
analysis.
23. Training experience (Coördinator) – MYTOX initiative
• - “Intensive training on mycotoxin analysis”. Short
Training Initiative (STI) for participants from developing
countries, 2012 (27.08.2012-07.09.2012), VLIR-UOS.
• - “Intensive training on mycotoxin analysis”. Short
Training Initiative (STI) for participants from developing
countries, 2013 (28.08.2013-11.09.2013), VLIR-UOS.
• - “Intensive training on mycotoxin analysis”. Short
Training Initiative (STI) for participants from developing
countries, 2014 (28.08.2014-10.09.2014), VLIR-UOS.
Individual training of people from developing countries
• continuously; depending on the available scholarships
24. General problems associated with mycotoxin analysis in Africa are:
1) analytical tests are expensive; there is a lack of expertise, or a
limited number of laboratories performing the tests;
2) there is a lack of technical support from companies selling
analytical instruments;
3) turn-around times for results are generally poor: a farmer with
production ready-for-the-market cannot afford to wait for 1 month for
analytical test results;
4) small-scale farmers or informal markets are not aware of the
potential harm caused by mycotoxins;
5) there is an increasing stringent list of regulated mycotoxins, and
laboratories are not always up-to-date with corresponding analytical tests;
6) adopting EU regulations requires sensitive and accurate methods
such as mass spectrometric methods.
Editor's Notes
Mycotoxin research is of a multi-disciplinary nature.
Mycologists are necessary to study the
Plant pathologists to study the interaction between the mycotoxigenic fungi and the plants.
Food chemists, to study the influence of food processing on mycotoxin contaminations (very stable).
The MYTOX research platform has been established at Ghent University and Ghent university college. This research platform tackles the mycotoxin problem in an interdisciplinary way and involves 11 research laboratories with more than 50 researchers.