TRIP REPORT
Pesticide Action Network
Dakar, June 5, 1997

Jeffrey A. Cochrane
July 24, 1997

The USAID/AfricaLink Advisor visited Dakar, Sénégal primarily to consult with newly contracted staff of the West Africa AfricaLink Help Desk. While in Dakar, discussions were held with staff of the Pesticide Action Network, a regional partner of USAID/PSGE, to consider ways AfricaLink might provide assistance for their continent-wide networking.

PAN operates a small office on the outskirts of Dakar, from which it publishes a periodic newsletter. PAN's constituency, according to the director of the regional office for Africa, is primarily non-governmental organizations. According to the PAN brochure, "PAN Africa is an information and action network and a member of Pesticide Action Network International, a global coalition of voluntary groups, non-governmental organizations, civil society, research institutes, scholars and citizens working towards the adoption of sound ecological practices instead of using hazardous chemical pesticides." The office was established in Dakar in 1996.

Discussions focused on the assistance AfricaLink might offer in developing a connectivity program to assure access to the Internet for the PAN constituency. It is expected that PAN will work through the IPM CRSP, with networking activities coordinated by staff of Virginia Tech. A visit by Jean-Pierre Amirault of the Africa IPM Link activity was expected within a week, at which time it is expected that clear plans would be laid. The visit by AfricaLink/Washington staff was primarily a courtesy, but also to propose questions to be discussed during the Amirault visit.

Persons Visited:

Abou Thiam, Email panafric@sonatel.senet.net