2010 Conference  //  Context

Background

Malaria is the number one killer in Burundi and in many sub-Saharan African nations. The rural populations that are most affected cannot afford synthetic commercial mosquito repellents or insecticides because of high cost and/or are discouraged by poor performance.

To address this crisis, the ACECI (Ethics Advisory Agency for International Cooperation) proposes that the Government of Burundi produces and promotes a mosquito repellent based on renewable resources.

The project will be officially launched October 14th in Bujumbura, Burundi. It addresses the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals - MDGs. The conference is the first step in bringing all parties in the region together to identify synergies and financing to move forward.

From the campaign "Translating the millennium development goals into legislation to reduce poverty" (MDG/PRS) initiated by the ACECI (Ethics Advisory Agency for International Cooperation), this massive project is an investment in populations based on sustainable development that promotes economic growth and technology transfer. It builds a public-private partnership for the effective fight against poverty and diseases, such as malaria, which is the leading cause of mortality in many countries in Africa.

Launched in Burundi, the project concerns the sub-region of the East Africa Community, all of Africa and their northern partners. It also involves private companies in the North and South. Through their participation, they confirm their commitment to corporate social responsibility and the principles of the United Nations Global Compact.

The date of the conference coincides with the international day of rural women, the right to food, and the fight against poverty, celebrated on October 15, 16 and 17.

Top Goals
  • Sensitize stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels on the campaign to "Translate the MDGs into a model bill on poverty reduction"
  • Bring together all stakeholders of the project for the production and promotion of mosquito repellents to fight against malaria in the spirit of sustainable development
  • Officially announce the beginning of the project
  • Raise funds for the project
Top Results
  • The Burundian government agrees to be a pilot country to " Translate the MDGs into a poverty reduction law " by establishing cooperation projects within the poverty reduction strategic framework, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the United Nations covenants on political, socio-economic and cultural rights
  • The project's action plan, budget and start-up activities are publicised
  • The government and key partners sign a partnership agreement for the project
  • The population and civil society organizations appreciate the merits of the project and commit their active participation in its implementation
  • The government announces specific support measures for the production and promotion of mosquito repellents project
  • Burundi's financial partners pledge their contribution to the project
  • Private companies announce their financial and technological contribution to the project
Top Organizing committee
President: Ginette Karirekinyana

President director general ACECI

Vice president
Director Sponsorhip: Gregory Patience

Associate Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
Ecole Polytechnique Montréal

Promotion Coordinator: Hélène Chatillon

Coordinator to promotional
chemical engineering programs
Department of Chemical Engineering
Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal

Treasurer: Evelyne Mudahemuka

Politics adviser

Secrétaire : Hanene Henchiri

PhD student. Laboratory of Economics at the University of Orleans
France

Fundraising, Industrial Program, Exhibition:
Evelyne Mudahemuka and Maya Farhat

Maya Farhat
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Royal Military College of Canada

Evelyne Mudahemuka
Political aide to Senate

Webmaster: Lionel Valero

Analyst
Ecole Polytechnique Montréal

Communication Director: Maya Farhat

Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Royal Military College of Canada

Supporting Research : Joël Fortin and Saïd Bonkane

Students
Department of Chemical Engineering
Ecole Polytechnique Montréal