Thursday, October 1, 2015



DESAME 2016
Day of Earth Sciences in Africa and the Middle East


The African Association of Women in Geosciences and the African Geoparks Network proclaim the 20th March as a "Day of Earth Sciences in Africa and Middle East, DESAME".

The day aims to increase the awareness about the role that earth scientists could play to help to build a peaceful, healthier and wealthier continent.

The 2016 theme is: "Geoethics, Geoheritage, Georesources & Geoenvironment".

First celebrated in 2013, DESAME is being celebrated in 2016.

The IAPG took part in DESAME 2014 and 2015 with events organized by its national section in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Even this year the IAPG is partner of DESAME and we wish to thank Ezzoura Errami (IAPG continental coordinator for Africa) for promoting this important event.

If you are willing to propose activities in your respective countries or online activities through your facebook groups, your blogs or your tweets, please join us to make this exciting experience a success.

Why the 20th March?
Equinoxes have been celebrated in cultures all over the world. In the northern hemisphere the March equinox marks the start of spring and has long been celebrated as a time of rebirth. The 20th March corresponds to the March equinox where night and day are nearly of the same length all over the world. However, even if this is widely accepted, it isn't entirely true. The March equinox occurs the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. This happens either on March 19, 20 or 21 every year. In that way, the activities, related to the DESAME, could be extended to the 19th and the 21st March.

Activities
Conferences, seminars, courses, presentations, field trips, exhibitions, films, games, visits of Earth Sciences departments, etc. It is up to you to create and innovate in order to answer the need of your respective societies.

Target public
Pupils from primary and secondary schools, students from universities, policy makers, large public, potential partners and sponsor. All the components of your respective societies.

Facebook page of DESAME
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DESAME

Contact
Ezzoura Errami
DESAME Coordinator
errami.e@ucd.ac.ma, erramiezzoura@yahoo.fr