Partners
What is EAFRINET
EAFRINET is the Eastern Africa Regional LOOP of BioNet International - the Global Network for Taxonomy. Covering Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zanzibar. EAFRINET is dedicated to building taxonomic capacity through strengthening existing taxonomic centres and developing timely relevant and end user defined products and tools.
Why EAFRINET
With a few exceptions, taxonomic institutions are in critical decline worldwide. Expertise is fragmenting and the number and range of specialists decreasing. As a result, the provision of taxonomic support and services increasingly depends on the cooperation of institutions in networks and exploitation of opportunities offered by modern technologies.
The potential for taxonomy to contribute to bio-diversity conservation and poverty reduction through trade, health and sustainable agriculture is greatest in developing countries. The capacity of the taxonomic sector to respond to such needs, on the other hand, is very limited in most developing nations, impeding the implementation of key elements of multilateral Environmental Agreements. This is why BioNet focuses its activities on developing countries in work that is recognized in key decisions of the convention on Biological Diversity.
UVIMA
UVIMA is a Swahili acronym for Uchambuzi wa Viumbe kwa Maendeleo Afrika Mashariki, and can be translated to Taxonomy for Development in East Africa.
UVIMA Project
Starting in October 2008, this 2.5 year project aims to consolidate and mobilize existing taxonomic information for generating tools and products relevant to the environmental, food and poverty crises in Africa.