Published by the government of Zimbabwe
2 August 2007
Harare — A cabinet minister has urged researchers in the country to desist from writing research findings in scientific terms that cannot be understood by the ordinary people.
Environment and Tourism Minister Cde Francis Nhema made the call yesterday while officiating at a workshop on climate change organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology Development and the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences.
"We need simplified language so that everyone benefits from the knowledge," he said.
"Change it for our own use. You must not be endangered species as scientists and professors."
Cde Nhema said intended beneficiaries of research information were not benefiting because the information was being written in language they did not understand.
He said there was potential for communities to utilise information from scientific research to mitigate environmental catastrophe as well as implement programmes that improved their livelihoods.
Zimbabwe did not need any new policies or laws on environmental conservation, particularly veld fires, as the people were aware of measures they should take to protect the environment.
The key to most environmental challenges lay in the attitudes of people as many people lacked a sense of ownership of the natural resources, he said. "It is an attitude mindset problem that we have," said Cde Nhema.
He said it might be necessary for Government to return to traditional knowledge systems that ensured that traditional leaders were custodians of the environment.
Speaking at the same occasion, Science and Technology Development Minister Cde Olivia Muchena called on stakeholders to increase dissemination of information to raise people's awareness about environmental issues.
"Let us raise levels of awareness until there is a flood," she said.
The workshop was attended by academics, scientists, Government and institutions of higher learning officials and members of the civil society. It discussed such issues as changes in rainfall partens, temperature, agricultural productivity, biodiversity and energy and how the changes were affecting food security in the country.
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