On Tuesday 21 May 2024, ERAIFT, a category 2 centre under the auspices of UNESCO, welcomed M. Nicolás Berlanga Martinez, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Democratic Republic of Congo to its premises. The visit was part of a workshop on cassava value chain analysis.

Welcomed by the Director, the Ambassador was given a brief presentation on the governance of ERAIFT, highlighting the various forms of support provided by the European Union since its creation. The presentation focused on the regional nature of the school, its missions and vision, as well as its training programs, with particular emphasis on the origins of its students and teaching staff, as well as current research initiatives.

Mr Ambassador symbolically planted a tree at ERAIFT, to mark his contribution to the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity.

Attended by more than 50 participants, including decision-makers, entrepreneurs and researchers, the workshop focused on a presentation of the preliminary findings of a research study carried out by experts in various growth centres in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the support of the European Union. Constructive discussions on improving the sector were held, to the great satisfaction of the participants.

In closing the workshop, the Ambassador affirmed the European Union's continued support to ERAIFT. Finally, he warmly thanked all the participants and reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

ERAIFT thanks the Ambassador of the European Union to the Democratic Republic of Congo for his visit and for his renewed confidence. It also expresses its gratitude to the other members of the EU delegation and to the other participants in the day's workshop.

This Monday, May 20, a meeting was held online between ERAIFT and its partners of the University of Lisbon (ULISBOA) in Portugal, with the aim of planning the science week of this year 2024, which ERAIFT organizes for the attention its 26 doctoral students, in order to strengthen their capacities through doctoral training

At the end of this meeting, some topics that will be the subject of this session have been targeted among others requested by the majority of doctoral students. These include : (1) experimental design for data collection, (2) statistics using R software (for analysis of data collected in the field), and (3) advanced landscape planning techniques.

The two teams also agreed on the appropriate period (the month of September) and on the methodology to be adopted for this traning.

ERAIFT thanks and congratulates its ULISBOA partners whose efforts have brought together internationally renowned experts present at this meeting and who have agreed to deliver these modules and share their experiences with PhD students. ERAIFT also expresses its gratitude to the European Union through AGRINATURA, for renewed trust as well as the means made available.

From 15 to 17 May, the ERAIFT Director v in the international to symposium of Category 2 Centres under the auspices of UNESCO in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This high-level symposium was organised by UNESCO and ISTIC. The ADG for Science, Ms Lidia Brito, welcomed the participants with the president of ISTIC's Board of Directors.

The Symposium's conclusions are remarkable and will help to strengthen the links between UNESCO and Category 2 Centres under the auspices of UNESCO.

ERAIFT thanks ISTIC and UNESCO for the invitation and congratulates the organizers for the excellent organization of the Symposium.

ERAIFT's Board of Directors met on 10 May 2024 and elected its new President, Mr Camille Paluku. ERAIFT congratulates the new President of the Board for his election and wishes him a successful term of office.

ERAIFT thanks the outgoing Chairman of the Board, Professor Jan Bogaert, for his availability and support during his presidency.

ERAIFT thanks the European Union and AGRINATURA for their support.

From 15 to 17 May, the ERAIFT Director will participate in the international symposium of category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This international event, dedicated to advancing collaboration focused on sustainable development and science, provides an opportunity to coordinate and strengthen collaboration between UNESCO category 2 centres. It fosters the exchange of knowledge and promotes common goals and inspires collective action.

Several current topics in the environment and science field will be addressed by the participants, including: (1) Research, education and capacity building in water sciences, (2) Hubs for sustainability: UNESCO-designated sites and networks, (3) Open science, (4) Water and disaster risk reduction, (5) Managing global crises: Climate change and biodiversity, (6) Enhancing engineering capacity building for the SDGs, (7) The role of basic sciences in advancing emerging technologies and disruptive innovations, (8) Intersection of science and policy: transformative progress.

ERAIFT expresses its sincere gratitude to UNESCO for being associated to this important international event, which is very important for the visibility of its actions in the domains of research-action, training of African managers and support to society. It is also grateful to the European Union for its support.

On 3 May 2024, Professor Baudouin Michel, Director of ERAIFT and Rector of IFA-Yangambi, chaired the Management Board of the Pendjari Park (Benin), which he has chaired since 2017.

This Management Board meeting was held in a consensual and inclusive climate, with rich and intense debates highlighting the remarkable work carried out by the Project Management Unit and the Beninese Armed Forces on the ground.

The Management Board President thanks the President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Mr Patrice Talon, and the African Parks Network for their trust and support.

On 3 May 2024, Professor Baudouin Michel, Director of ERAIFT and Rector of IFA-Yangambi, chaired the Management Board of the Pendjari Park (Benin), which he has chaired since 2017.

This Management Board meeting was held in a consensual and inclusive climate, with rich and intense debates highlighting the remarkable work carried out by the Project Management Unit and the Beninese Armed Forces on the ground.

The Management Board President thanks the President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Mr Patrice Talon, and the African Parks Network for their trust and support.