August 20, 2014
August 14-16, 2014 the meeting with the African IAGETH National Chapters was organized by IAGETH Vice-President for Africa Lopo Vasconcelos in the framework of the 25th Colloquium on African Geology – CAG25 in Dar as Salaam, Tanzania.
There was a number of African National Chapters here – Mozambique, Namibia, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
They discussed what to in their countries and conclusions were:
a) Try to call to IAGETH as much members in the respective countries as possible to strengthen their NCs;
b) Try to develop a national deontological and (geo)ethical code for the geoscientist of each country. Mozambican code (English version) will be sent to everyone to serve as model
c) Include the topic of Geoethics in meetings at national and international level where NCS are involved.
Lopo Vasconcelos was approached by some people who are interested in discussing Geoethics in their countries: Sudan (who actually took part in the above mentioned meeting), DR Congo, Kenya and South Africa. He also contacted Elyvin Nkonjera from Malawi (YES-Africa Chair) and Daniel Asiedu from Ghana, to invite them either to be NC or to indicate someone reliable that will take that in charge. He asked them to visit the website and submit the application for IAGETH Member. Amel Barich, IAGETH NC from Morocco, is also very active with YES-Africa, and Lopo Vasconcelos discussed the need to bring Geoethics into YES movement.
August 16, 2014 the Workshop “GEOETHICS: STATE-OF-THE-ART AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES IN AFRICA” occurred in the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Convention Center, Dar es Salaam with participation of 19 people. Co-conveners: Lopo Vasconcelos, Aberra Mogessie and Enas Ahmed
Lopo Vasconcelos made a presentation previously delivered in Johannesburg, 2013, during the “Mozambique Coal Conference” organized by the Fossil Fuel Foundation. Summarizing this presentation, it refers to several definitions of ethics and geoethics and the idea people have about the issue, professional ethics and deontology, the example of the deontological and ethical code of ICOG (Spain) defining the guide-lines of the geo-professional activity and responsibilities, reference to the International Declaration of Geoethics listing indicators for development of Geoethics, geoeducation and geoethical approach, sustainability of societies, geoethical challenges faced by the professionals.
Prof. Aberra Mogessie was introduced as member of the IAGET Senior Advisory Board, and Lopo Vasconcelos as Vice-President of IAGETH to Africa.
There was some discussion about geoethical (and Ethical) issues:
a) Difference between ethical and criminal issues? Sometimes unethical issues can be considered criminal and treated as such.
b) The question of societies which have a code but not with the force of law, how can we “oblige” people to behave accordingly?
c) As teachers, and about the attitudes the young people have nowadays, reference was done to the absence of “family”; this means that students per se are not to be blamed.
d) Parents have no time for kids; has this to do with generation gaps?
e) Nowadays, people do not care to step over anyone or anything to get what they want
f) As suggestions to mitigate these problems, it was suggested that schools/universities should prepare guidelines for the students on how to behave, sign a pledge at the beginning of activities; geoethics should also be taught at the first level of universities.
g) Important that societies give the teachers the due importance they deserve. The example of Finland was given.
h) Considering societies which are very heterogeneous, the suggestion was given that the codes should be general to fit all cultures.
i) Final statement: don’t present your work if you didn’t do it!
Prof. Aberra Mogessie referred to the existence of the other international organization for Geoethics – IAPG.
At the end of the workshop, delegates from Niger, Tanzania and Algeria showed interest in becoming National Chapters of IAGTEH.
