Durban, a city of over three milllion inhabitants far more than Namibia's total population of 2.1 boasts a number of conference facilities, with its International Convention Center standing out as the major appropriate meeting for almost any type of gathering. The city shows of modern and first class accommodation establishments, many along its beaches, and first world type of shopping infrustracture and wealth of tourism. These factors make up a package to attract almost all key world events of any nature and no wonder the city scores countless goals when it comes to bidding as the perfect setting for any gathering.
In 2002, the African Union Constitutive Act which saw the birth of the AU from the then Organization of Afrian Unity, OAU was launched in Durban SA. This was one of the milestones in the history of the Continental body which attracted Heads of State and Government together with their interntional partners.
In 2011, it hosted the World Conference of Parties meeting, or COP elevent which attracted major players on issues related to environment and climate change.
This week, the KZN city is hosting one of the key events in the history of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, FAR which is a technical arm of the AU Commission of rural economy and agricultural Development and the lead Agency of the New Partnership for Africa's Development NEPAD to implement the fourth pillar of the comprehensive Africa Agriculature Development Programme, CAADP, involving agriculatural research, technology disemination and uptake. FARA has flown in experts in agricultura research to assess CAADP's 10 year journey to determine the success stories and the areas that need renewal as well as chart the way forward for the next decade.
And the various accommodation establishments and even key venue managers know how to make their guests feel at home by giving them the unique hospitality experience. The author of this post can testify to that because on Monday, 17th March 2014, was was suprised by the accommodation establishment restaurant staff with a "happy birthday song - plus a gift in the form of a cake which is the perfect token for such days. Again such gestures just add to the visting experience package and entices one to call again, not only for historic meetings, but also in one's private capacity.
Back to the continental historic event, history continues to unfold especially for the author of this post as she attended the launch of the AU as a reporter covering it for the Namibian national television and radio audiences then. Today, she is forming part of FARA's community of Practice on Agriculatural Research and Development that is taking stock of what was achieved during the past ten years and what must be planned for the future.
She was also part of the launch of CAADP in Maputo Mozambique in 2003 and reported on the heads of state and government's decision to allocate 10% of the national budgets to agriculture. Again, today, she is part of the team that is looking at the progress made in view of that decision and aligning the future CAADP framework - with the recently crafted Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa.
She attended the Science Week in Accra, Ghana in 2013 which today is dubbed as the Accra Consuses which formed part of the foundation of what is being discussed during the CAADP PP....
Therefore the authors return to Durban brings to mind so many thoughts and awakens a number of historic continental and global memories that forms the package of Africa's development, mainly the Agricularal Research part.
So, next time you hear the City of Durban, you are likely to hear the history unfolding in terms of events that could be lined up for your attention.
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| A view from the 9th floor of one of the accomodation establishments in Durban |
In 2002, the African Union Constitutive Act which saw the birth of the AU from the then Organization of Afrian Unity, OAU was launched in Durban SA. This was one of the milestones in the history of the Continental body which attracted Heads of State and Government together with their interntional partners.
In 2011, it hosted the World Conference of Parties meeting, or COP elevent which attracted major players on issues related to environment and climate change.
 |
| One of the key accommodation establishments near the International Convention Centre, ICC |
This week, the KZN city is hosting one of the key events in the history of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, FAR which is a technical arm of the AU Commission of rural economy and agricultural Development and the lead Agency of the New Partnership for Africa's Development NEPAD to implement the fourth pillar of the comprehensive Africa Agriculature Development Programme, CAADP, involving agriculatural research, technology disemination and uptake. FARA has flown in experts in agricultura research to assess CAADP's 10 year journey to determine the success stories and the areas that need renewal as well as chart the way forward for the next decade.
 |
| The author of this post infront of the International Convention Centre where CAAP PP is taking place |
And the various accommodation establishments and even key venue managers know how to make their guests feel at home by giving them the unique hospitality experience. The author of this post can testify to that because on Monday, 17th March 2014, was was suprised by the accommodation establishment restaurant staff with a "happy birthday song - plus a gift in the form of a cake which is the perfect token for such days. Again such gestures just add to the visting experience package and entices one to call again, not only for historic meetings, but also in one's private capacity.
 |
| A suprise gesture in the form of a birth day well wishing - song and cake to one of the visitors at the accommodation establishments, just making the visiting experience memorable. |
Back to the continental historic event, history continues to unfold especially for the author of this post as she attended the launch of the AU as a reporter covering it for the Namibian national television and radio audiences then. Today, she is forming part of FARA's community of Practice on Agriculatural Research and Development that is taking stock of what was achieved during the past ten years and what must be planned for the future.
She was also part of the launch of CAADP in Maputo Mozambique in 2003 and reported on the heads of state and government's decision to allocate 10% of the national budgets to agriculture. Again, today, she is part of the team that is looking at the progress made in view of that decision and aligning the future CAADP framework - with the recently crafted Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa.
She attended the Science Week in Accra, Ghana in 2013 which today is dubbed as the Accra Consuses which formed part of the foundation of what is being discussed during the CAADP PP....
Therefore the authors return to Durban brings to mind so many thoughts and awakens a number of historic continental and global memories that forms the package of Africa's development, mainly the Agricularal Research part.
So, next time you hear the City of Durban, you are likely to hear the history unfolding in terms of events that could be lined up for your attention.
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