Wednesday, 17.06.2015 – Wednesday, 17.06.2015
Public event; Exposition; Cultural event
Wednesday, 17 June 2015, 3.00–7.00 pm
Venue: UNI-S Building, Room A003, University of Bern,
Schanzeneckstrasse 1, 3000 Bern
Desertification, land degradation and droughts are threatening the livelihoods of people worldwide. The World Day to Combat Desertification, on June 17, reminds us of this every year.
In addition, the United Nations has declared 2015 as International Year of Soils. Soils are a practically non-renewable resource and the destruction of fertile soil or damage to it is a major threat to global food security. The aim of the International Year of Soils is therefore to draw the world's attention to the importance of soils for food security and food production.
To mark the World Day to Combat Desertification, the SDC is organising an event on 17 June 2015 on the theme of desertification and soils. The event will focus on farmers, their knowledge about soils and its use in agriculture.
During a panel discussion open to the public, a Swiss winemaker and a South African rooibos tea producer will discuss the challenges of wine-making and rooibos cultivation in arid regions. Two experts will present examples of applied research into sustainable land use and the relevance of soils for a healthy live. An interactive exhibition also offers participants the opportunity to discover more about the diversity and role of soils, as well as to taste different wines and sorts of rooibos tea.
Registration until 10 June 2015 to: yves.guinand@eda.admin.ch.
Participation in the event is free of charge.
Language of the event: English
Event organiser: Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG), Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Agroscope.
