Knowledge and Learning Centre
2 August 2007
"We can now increase the case of finding lasting solutions to environmental
problems. In your mission to spread knowledge, ensure that all barriers are
broken down in order to bridge the gap between those who are environmentally
literate and others who are illiterate. Only when knowledge has become much
more freely available and generally embraced, is it then that our collective
efforts will drive us closer to achieving lasting solutions," said Deputy
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi during
the official launch of the Environmental Resources Centre (ERC) at Cape
Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) this evening.
The launch of the learning centre coincides with the Global Environment
Facility's Fourth Biennial International Waters Conference hosted by South
Africa and currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention
Centre.
During the keynote address Mabudafhasi commented on the current
unprecedented environmental challenges facing South Africans and the entire
planet due to unsustainable use of resources by humankind. "Never before in our
lifetime or over the last number of millennia have we have experienced the
precarious situation than we are now in," she said.
However she emphasised that there was hope as we are making information and
knowledge more readily accessible and empowering the multitude of people in the
process.
The ERC is one such platform which focuses on the impact of environmental
degradation on people, in particular marginalised communities, as well as
environmental degradation caused by unsustainable human activities.
The approach of the ERC is to recognise and respond to the interdisciplinary
nature of environmental problems, and the link between local and global
environmental issues. While the ERC may be located at the CPUT, it is envisaged
that a community of practice that spans South Africa as well as neighbouring
African countries and beyond will be cultivated.
Several projects are in progress, including the development and delivery of
environmental course modules, the collation of a library of environmental
information resources and providing students with experiential training and
academic opportunities in the environmental field. The ERC will also offer
environmental research and consulting services.
The Distant Learning and Information Sharing Tool (DLIST), a web platform,
which was launched by Mabudafhasi in 2003, forms an integral part of the ERC.
DLIST facilitates distance learning and provides a space for open debate and
discussions on environmental and development matters. It further provides a
networking platform for role players in the sector ranging from politicians,
scientists, community leaders, academic, non-governmental organisation (NGO)
members to environmental students; and facilitates the sharing of advice and
learning experiences.
DLIST is currently funded by the United Nations Development Funds' Global
Environment Facility. The Deputy Minister highlighted the fragmented
distribution of knowledge, poor information flow between sectors of society,
spheres of government and civil society as challenges facing society.
Mabudafhasi acknowledged that DLIST has been instrumental in the drive to
bridge the gap between civil society and government through the provision of
open forums of discussion and making information available in multiple
directions. She added that she envisaged that this approach will be
strengthened by the newly launched centre through assisting people to express
their needs and views and thus supporting government to meet the needs and
aspirations of the people.
The Deputy Minister also encouraged the development of closer working
relationship with key stakeholders such as Cape Nature and the department to
enrich and update the centre.
Welcoming guest to the launch event Vice Chancellor of CPUT Professor Vuyisa
Mazwi-Tanga said the ERC's goals are to raise environmental awareness, and to
contribute to a community of practice of understanding, creating and sharing
knowledge on global and local environmental issues but most of all to send out
to the world environmental professionals that will have the requisite skills to
address the 21st century development challenges.
"It is now more prudent that South Africa, the neighbouring countries and
indeed all developing countries, respond to economic and human development in a
manner that addresses the needs of the present generations, without burdening
future generations with a polluted environment and an economy reliant on
rapidly diminishing energy resources.
The ills of the past behaviour by the now, so called developed countries of
the world, have proven very costly to the world and to Africa in particular,"
Mazwi-Tanga emphasised.
CPUT has six service centres which are strategically positioned throughout
the Western Cape Province. These centres can come very handy to maximise the
impact of environmental education in partnership with local communities,
community based organisations, schools and NGOs. While this exercise will be
raising awareness on best practice for using natural resources sustainably, it
would simultaneously market academic disciplines offered by this
institution.
Enquiries:
Moses Rannditsheni
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Cell: 082 448 2450
E-mail: mrannditsheni@deat.gov.za
Marion Davids
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cell: 021 959 6926
Roopa Singh
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Cell: 082 225 3076
E-mail: rsingh@deat.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
2 August 2007
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
