Mosi-oa-Tunya Declaration

on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, Quarrying and Development

ASM18 delegates adopt 'Mosi-oa-Tunya Declaration'.

Five-hundred and forty-seven delegates, representing 72 nations assembled in Livingstone, Zambia between the 11-13 September, 2018 for the International Conference on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining and Quarrying (ASM18) to chart a vision for sustainable development. 

ASM18 was the largest international gathering of artisanal and small-scale miners and quarry workers ever assembled. An historic outcome of ASM18 was the adoption of the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya Declaration,’ the first declaration of its kind in over a decade. The 'Mosi' Declaration uses the traditional name of Victoria Falls, located adjacent to the conference venue and builds on earlier ASM conference declarations from Harare (1993), Washington (1996), and Yaoundé (2002).

Read the Mosi-oa-Tunya Declaration:

- English version:
https://asmconference.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1c3f8c35001110ea50ebac804&id=35784e48d3&e=d777eed6eb

- French version:
https://asmconference.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1c3f8c35001110ea50ebac804&id=e32aaae341&e=d777eed6eb

- Spanish version:
https://asmconference.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1c3f8c35001110ea50ebac804&id=40e235e0fa&e=d777eed6eb

- Portuguese:
https://asmconference.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1c3f8c35001110ea50ebac804&id=4bf0d26e91&e=d777eed6eb

ASM18 was an initiative of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, organised by the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, European Union, United Nations Development Programme, and The Government of Zambia, with the support of The World Bank, The African Union, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, and German Development Cooperation. A range of specialised mining institutions of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific provided technical support, including the African Minerals Development Centre, the African Minerals and Geosciences Centre and the Pacific Community.


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IAPG White Paper on Responsible Mining:
http://www.geoethics.org/wp-responsible-mining

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

Geoethics at the EGU 2019

Vienna, 7-12 April 2019

IAPG is working on a great programme on geoethics at the EGU General Assembly 2019. The proposal for 2 sessions and 1 short course have been submitted. Those proposals are co-sponsored by IAPG and AGI - American Geosciences Institute, EFG - European Federation of Geologists, IOI-TC-LAC - International Ocean Institute Training Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Here below the list of sessions and short course. Click on links for the description of each event.

The abstract submission deadline for the 2 sessions is 10 January 2019, 13:00 CET.


Session EOS5.2
"Geoethics: ethical, social and cultural implications of geoscience knowledge, education, communication, research and practice"
(convenership: Silvia Peppoloni, Martin Bohle, Giuseppe Di Capua, Christopher M. Keane, Jonathan Rizzi)
The call for abstracts is open:
https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2019/abstractsubmission/32818

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Session ITS2.1/EOS5.1/ERE4.5/HS1.2.14
"Geoethics and geoscientists' responsibility towards society: doing the right thing to develop resources for future generations"
(convenership: Giuseppe Di Capua, Nic Bilham, Jan Boon, Victor Correia, Eduardo Marone)
This session is co-sponsored by IAPG and EFG.
The call for abstracts is open:
https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2019/abstractsubmission/31224


Short Course: Session SC1.30
"Foundations of Geoethics for Earth, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences"
(convenership: Eduardo Marone, Jan Boon, Giuseppe Di Capua, Silvia Peppoloni)
The short course is co-sponsored by IAPG and IOI-TC-LAC.
Course description:
https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2019/session/30925

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IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

International Geoethics Day 2018

18 October 2018

Download the leaflet of the International Geoethics Day 2018 containing the incipit of the sentence: "geoethics is..."

Please, complete the sentence with one word, the word that you feel more appropriate, print the leaflet and take a picture of you with the leaflet in your hands well in evidence.

Finally, during the day of 18 October, post the picture on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and use the hashtag: #geoethicsday2018

Join us on 18 October 2018!

Download the lefleat of the International Geoethics Day 2018 (docx file):
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5195a5_30d228838a9a4d199c2e1a4f7a71efad.docx?dn=geoethicsday2018_leaflet_IAPG.docx

International Geoethics Day website:
http://www.geoethics.org/geoethics-day

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IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

First Nigeria Geoethics Conference (NGC1)

Integrating Geoethics into the Extractive Industry Governance
18-19 October 2018

Rivers State University Auditorium
Port Harcourt (Nigeria)

The Nigerian Section of the IAPG organizes its first national conference to celebrate the International Geoethics Day 2018 and to seek avenues of integrating geoethics into working practices and providing opportunities for networking and promoting the application of Geoethics for sustainable development.

Sub themes of the conference:
– Environmental and Social Responsibility.
– Utilizing citizen science as a new paradigm for tackling security challenges.
– Experiences, approach and concepts in geoscience education.
– Georisk management for safer and more resilient society.
– Making geoethics a central issue in the conduct of scientist.

NGC1 is organized by Arinze Harrison Ikwumelezeh (IAPG-Nigeria Coordinator)

Download the NGC1 programme (pdf file):
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5195a5_269eec9769a249379a3cfe27151e9643.pdf

IAPG-Nigeria website: http://iapgn.org.ng/

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Other events:
http://www.geoethics.org/events


IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

IAPG at the GfGD Annual Conference

6th GfGD - Geology for Global Development Annual Conference
Water and Sustainable Development
2 November 2018

hosted by the Geological Society of London

Burlington House
London (United Kingdom)

Understanding, managing and protecting freshwater and marine water resources is critical to the delivery of many of the Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., water and sanitation, healthy oceans, zero hunger, good health, gender equality, energy, industry, and biodiversity). Increasing urbanisation, industrialisation, and climate change are increasing pressure on water supplies and reducing water quality.
This conference, organised by the GfGD - Geology for Global Development, will explore the role of geoscientists in managing conflicting demands for diverse water resources, ensuring that the needs of the poorest are met while maintaining healthy ecosystems.
The conference will include an introduction to the International Association for Promoting Geoethics, given by Nic Bilham (IAPG Continental Coordinator for Europe).

IAPG and GfGD have a Memorandum of Agreement from May 2017.


Read more: http://www.gfgd.org/conferences
Register here: https://6thgfgdconf.eventbrite.co.uk/

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Other events:
http://www.geoethics.org/events


IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

Geoethics as a solution to tremors in Abuja and other geohazards

Arinze Harrison Ikwumelezeh
(Coordinator of IAPG-Nigeria)

Arinze Harrison Ikwumelezeh

On 18 October 2018, the world shall join the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG), to celebrate the International Geoethics Day. This initiative was born in 2017 with the aim to raise the awareness of the geoscience community and society as a whole about the importance of geoethics.

As affirmed by Silvia Peppoloni (IAPG Secretary General) "...The International Geoethics Day falls into the Earth Science Week and will be the occasion to strongly reaffirm the geoethical values..." in which the world is presently realizing. Geoethics holds the key to not only ensure that we maintain a sound biodiversity balance, but also to achieve most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the case of Nigeria, the recent tremors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) leaves no one in doubt that we have come to the place where we must become responsible in our geological activities and other issues pertaining to environmental governance.

According to media reports, tremors that lasted for three days in Mpape and some parts of Maitama district in Abuja left not only residents, but also the whole country, apprehensive that an earthquake was about to occur.

The residents of the affected areas were alarmed by the sudden ground shakings, which started on 5 September and occurred till 8 September, and they were seen moving to other places in the city for the fear of losing their lives.

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dispelled fears of an earthquake stating that even though an "abnormal" occurrence, the area was not in a seismic zone. Nevertheless, the government agency added that the incident was likely caused by stress in underground rocks resulting from human activities which included rock blasting and mining.

According to the statement by FEMA: "Whilst appreciating the call from the public, the FCT emergency management agency (FEMA) wish to make the following statements; That the possible cause of the earth shaking might be as a result of earth tremor. That it is a sign of seismic movement within the earth. This is caused by sudden break along a fault line which results in sudden release of energy that makes the ground to shake. It is caused by stress in underground rocks and may be due to rock blasting and mining activities in an area."

This, therefore, is why Nigeria as a developing country must now review all its geoscientific sectors with a view to ensuring that tremors in Abuja and others that have happened in other states before now – like in Kaduna State in 2016 – would not occur again. We are very much aware of the fact that we do not have the material resources and psychological preparedness to face natural phenomena (and potential disasters) of significant magnitude.

Earth sciences or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to the planet Earth. It is the branch of science dealing with the physical constitution of the earth and its atmosphere, the study of our planet’s physical characteristics, from earthquakes to raindrops, from floods to fossils. Earth sciences include the study of geology, the lithosphere, and the large-scale structure of the Earth's interior, as well as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Typically, Earth scientists use tools from geography, chronology, physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to build a quantitative understanding of how the Earth works and evolves. Earth sciences affect our everyday lives. For example, meteorologists study the weather and watch for dangerous storms. Hydrologists study water and warn of floods. Seismologists study earthquakes and try to predict where they will strike. Geologists study rocks and help to locate useful minerals. Earth scientists mainly work "in the field"—climbing mountains, exploring the seabed, crawling through caves, or wading in swamps. They measure and collect samples (such as rocks or river water), then they record their findings on charts and maps.

Interestingly, when the geo-resources are exploited, these geoscientists must inculcate a fresh Earth-centric consciousness of responsibility for their direct and indirect activities to be sustainable, leaving a better environment for future generations. This is where geoethics come in.

Ethics is the field of knowledge that deals with the principles that govern how people behave and conduct activities. Ethics is well established as being of relevance to other scientific disciplines (e.g., medical ethics, bioethics). Given the multiple interfaces of geoscience with society, it is appropriate that we all consider our social role and responsibilities. Geoethics, therefore, is the branch of ethics which relates to the interaction of human activity with our physical world in general and with the practice of the Earth sciences in particular.

This is not just a niche area of research, but extends to all geoscientists irrespective of their field (e.g., volcanology, engineering geology, hydrogeology, metamorphic petrology) and employment sector (e.g., industry, academia, public sector). Geoethics provides a framework for us all to reflect on the shared values that underpin our work as geoscientists, and how these values shape our professional actions, and our interactions with colleagues, society and the natural environment.

For us in Nigeria, it will address the problem in the Niger Delta, regarding resource exploitation. It will also address indiscriminate mining in Abuja and other states; and also tree-felling in the Northern parts of the country, which has worsened desertification and seasonal flooding.

This is why the Nigerian section of the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG) organizes its First National Conference, on 18-19 October, to celebrate the International Geoethics Day 2018. This is in order to seek avenues of integrating geoethics into working practices and providing opportunities for networking and promoting the application of geoethics for sustainable development.

The main theme of the conference is Integrating Geoethics into the Extractive Industry Governance. Other sub-themes are environmental and social responsibility; Utilizing citizen science as a new paradigm for tackling security challenges and intelligence gathering; Communications, experiences, approaches and concepts in geoscience education; Geo-risk management for safer and more resilient society; Making geoethics a central issue in the conduct of scientists; and Ethical considerations in developing young geoscientists and defining avenues for geoscience in Nigeria.

The event, which will take place at the Rivers State University Auditorium, Faculty of Law, shall have as special guest of honour, His Excellency Governor Nyesom Wike of River State. Among the distinguished speakers there are Hon. Obinna Chidoka, Chairman House Committee on Environment, (chairman) Prof. Blessing Chikezie Didia - Vice chancellor Rivers state University (vice-chairman), Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, Director, Institue of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Professor Uraih Lar, Professorial Chair in Geology University of Jos, Dr. H.O Nwankwoala, Senoir lecturer Department of Geology University of Port-Harcourt and Mr. Fyneface Dumnamene, Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre Port-Harcourt.

There is no doubt that our country needs to lead Africa in this all important sector because it holds the promise to enhance vital developmental sectors like agriculture, mining and natural resources management. Recently, the IAPG and Geoscientists Canada signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) expressing a mutual desire to cooperate on a range of themes in the field of ethics in geoscience with a view to promoting principles of ethics, research integrity, and professional ethical deontology in geoscience activities among their networks. Geoscientists Canada is the national organization of the nine provincial and territorial regulatory bodies that govern Canada’s professional geoscientists and geoscientists in training. Geoscientists Canada coordinates development of high national standards of admissions, competency, practice and mobility to ensure that Canada is served by skilled versatile, reputable and accountable geoscience professionals.

Nigeria needs developmental strides like this in order to prepare its future geoscientists for the challenges ahead. And also to carve a niche for the country in the comity of nations.

As a developing country, our young geoscientists need to make commitments for enduring nation-building. This is why we should embrace the the Geoethical Promise for the Nigerian early-career geoscientists, to strenghten their social responsiblity in the geoscience research and practice. This is the only way to avoid in the future the Abuja tremors and possible earthquakes.

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NGC1 - First Nigeria Geoethics Conference "Integrating Geoethics into the Extractive Industry Governance": 18-19 October 2018, Port Harcourt (Nigeria); 

Website: http://iapgn.org.ng/

Download the poster (pdf file):

http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5195a5_440143282dd44710ac950d09abdf0ba1.pdf

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics

http://www.geoethics.org

IAPG is partner of GeoSoc 2019

International Conference on Geoscience for Society

14 - 17 March 2019

Segunbagicha, Dhaka (Bangladesh)

Development of urbanization, industrialization and civilization as a whole depend on earth resources like mineral, water and soil. These resources come from earth's components- atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere - the Earth System Science. But any change of these components causes geo-hazards which may even ruin the entire civilization. These all are subject matters of geosciences or earth sciences. Geosciences is an intuitive and constantly changing science, and therefore geoscientists must have up to date knowledge of this field and a good concept of earth's components, earth resources and geo-hazards to discover hidden resources, utilize those resources properly and deal with hazardous impacts on society efficiently. This is possible by carrying out extensive research on these areas and applying the research findings for the welfare of the society. So, the objectives of GeoSoc-2019 are as usual to gather innovative ideas and information from geoscientists involved worldwide with earth and earth resources, development activities, geo-hazard, environmental ecosystems and geoeducation. 

Themes: Geoscience Education, Geo-Resources, Energy and Mineral based Industries, Geosciences in Developing Activities and Disaster Risk Reduction, Women in Geosciences.

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics is partner geoscience organization of GeoSoc 2019.

"The current global challenges facing our human communities require geoscientists increasingly prepared and aware of their responsibilities towards society and the environment. The "Geology for Society" conference is an indispensable opportunity to share and promote the ethical, social and cultural values that underlie and give sense to our activity as geoscientists. The IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics strongly believes in those values and in the primary duty of geoscientists to put their knowledge at disposal of others, to better serve society, to protect the environment, to defend populations from natural risks, to assure the sustainable development for future generations." (Silvia Peppoloni, IAPG Secretary General)


2nd Announcement (pdf file) - The call for abstract is open:
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5195a5_39b4e9e9099340a39f34be323f6f6bd8.pdf

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Other events:
http://www.geoethics.org/events


IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org


Picture credit: Night view of Dhaka, Bangladesh (Meer Abdul Qadir), from britannica.com

Call for Innovations - NOW OPEN!

Globally, our society is facing some very complex challenges, ranging from the sustainability of natural resources and systems to global health and resilience. Join us for the inaugural Geoscience and Society Summit (https://connect.agu.org/gss/home), where scientists, governments, affected peoples, and funding agencies will break from the traditional conference model to share their insights and experiences, cultivate innovative solutions, and enhance international and intercultural collaboration.

The Summit’s "Call for Innovations" (https://connect.agu.org/gss/new-item/new-item) is now open.

Submission deadline: 8 November 2018, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Submit today: https://connect.agu.org/gss/new-item/new-item2

Be a part of the exciting “Idea Expo” environment, where everyone can present a poster that highlights relevant case studies, creative solutions, or informative background information, and participate in the event’s themed workshops:

- Energy and Minerals Sustainability
- Climate Change and Ocean Health and Habitat
- Water and Agricultural Production and SustainabilitY
- Hazards, Human Health, and Social Justice

Learn more (https://connect.agu.org/gss/home) about this game-changing new event and submit your Innovation (https://connect.agu.org/gss/new-item/new-item2) today!

The summit is organized by American Geophysical Union, Geology in the Public Interest, and Bolin Centre for Climate Research of Stockholm University. 

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics is partner of the Summit with Geological Society of London, Geoscientists without Borders, Geology for Global Development, American Geosciences Institute, Geological Society of America, Department of Geology and Environmental Science at Wheaton College.

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Other events:
http://www.geoethics.org/events


IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

IAPG and GC - Geoscientists Canada/Géoscientifiques Canada sign a MoU - Memorandum of Understanding

The MoU was signed on 22 September 2018.

The MoU expresses a mutual desire to cooperate on a range of themes in the field of ethics in geoscience. It helps to assure a continued IAPG-GC cooperation and coordination on issues of common interests, in particular, the following:

• promotion of principles of ethics, research integrity, and professional ethical deontology in geoscience activities among their networks;
• definition of ethical issues, with accompanying case-studies, where appropriate, affecting the geoscience community and organizations;
• co-organization of scientific events to disseminate concepts of ethics in geoscience, among both the professional and research communities, with particular attention to young geoscientists;
• production of relevant publications and communications.

Geoscientists Canada is the national organization of the 9 provincial and territorial regulatory bodies that govern Canada's professional geoscientists and geoscientists-in-training. Geoscientists Canada co-ordinates development of high national standards of admissions, competency, practice and mobility to ensure that Canada is served by a skilled, versatile, reputable and accountable geoscience profession.
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Read more about IAPG affiliations, agreements, and partnerships:
http://www.geoethics.org/affiliations-agreements


IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org