TCC Africa champions Open Access at the Pan Africa Chemistry Network Congress 2024

Panelists at the 2024 Pan Africa Chemistry Network Congress pose for a group photo after discussions on advancing Open Access and sustainable solutions for Africa at the PACN Congress 2024.

Sustainability, as a global imperative, lies at the heart of the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of our planet. With the world grappling with complex issues like climate change, food security, and water scarcity, the 2024 Pan Africa Chemistry Network Congress focused on advancing these critical themes as they align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The Congress, held from October 29 to 31 at the University of Nairobi, brought together leading scientists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss sustainable solutions for Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Among the key contributors was Harrison Weda, Head of Programs at TCC Africa, who participated in a panel discussion on advancing Open Access in Africa. Mr. Weda’s contribution to the panel emphasized the essential role of accessible research in tackling these sustainability challenges. He highlighted TCC Africa’s commitment to bridging knowledge gaps and ensuring equitable access to research that can drive sustainable development across the continent. In his remarks, Mr. Weda discussed the ongoing work of TCC Africa in enhancing research capacities and fostering partnerships that allow for the open dissemination of knowledge, which is crucial for the continued growth of science and innovation in Africa. The event also featured a series of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops exploring sustainability from multiple scientific perspectives, particularly in the chemical sciences.
Since its establishment in 2008, PACN has invested over £2.5 million in African science through collaborations with universities, governments, NGOs, and corporate partners, creating a robust platform for scientific advancement. Through partnerships like these Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and PACN continue to support scientific research that addresses Africa’s unique challenges and aligns with global sustainability goals.
For TCC Africa, participating in the congress reinforced the importance of creating a sustainable research environment that prioritizes collaboration, inclusivity, and open access. As African research continues to evolve, the congress provided an invaluable platform for discussing how to build a more interconnected, sustainable scientific community.
For more details on the PACN Congress visit the event page here: https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/79390/pan-africa-chemistry-network-congress-2024

About the Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society and professional body for chemists in the UK. It provides information, resources, events, awards, journals, education and outreach for its members and the public. It was formed in 1980 from the amalgamation of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society, and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new Royal Charter and the dual role of learned society and professional body. At its inception, the Society had a combined membership of 49,000 in the world
For more information, visit: https://www.rsc.org/about-us/

About the Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa)
The Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa) is the first African-based training center to teach effective communication skills to scientists. TCC Africa is an award winning Trust, established as a non-profit entity in 2006 and is registered in Kenya. TCC Africa provides capacity support in improving researchers output and visibility through training in scholarly and science communication.
TCC Africa’s mission is to contribute to the increase in profile, locally, and internationally, of African science, and its impact on the life of Africans, by improving skills in technical communication in all forms, at academia and other relevant forums, in Africa.
Our objective is to train. support. empower. researchers through capacity in improving their research output and visibility.
For more information visit: https://www.tcc-africa.org/