Online Discussion on Public Education regarding LMOs

Date: 3 April- 5 May 2017

Please note that the online discussion has been extended to 5 May 2017

Welcome to the Online Discussion on Public Education regarding LMOs

Introduction

Article 23 of the Protocol requires Parties to promote and facilitate public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs). At its fifth meeting, the COP-MOP in decision BS-V/13 adopted a comprehensive Programme of Work on public awareness, education and participation concerning LMOs and invited the Secretariat to establish an online forum and other appropriate means to facilitate exchange of information and experiences on the implementation of the Programme of Work.

In this regard, the Secretariat convened an online discussion aimed to facilitate exchange of views and information entitled:
Review of a module on public education regarding LMOs

The expected outcomes are to: facilitate the implementation of programme element 2 of the Programme of Work on public awareness and education; develop a toolkit on public education through an e-learning module; and facilitate the implementation of priority area 3 and 5 of the priority areas to the Programme of Work on advancing tools, resources and processes to broaden training activities and strengthening biosafety education at all levels. At COP-MOP 8, in decision VIII/18, priority areas with sub-activities to enable a streamlined strategic focus and foster further commitment to advance the implementation of the Programme of Work were adopted.

Themes

The schedule for the themes of the online discussions are as follows:

3-7 April

• Theme 1: Feedback on the topic on key educational elements of public education

10-21 April

• Theme 2: Feedback on the topic on procedures and practices of public education

24 April - 5 May

• Theme 3: Feedback on the topic on planning for public education

Please note that Theme 1, Theme 2 and Theme 3 will have guiding questions. The draft text for Theme 1, Theme 2 and Theme 3 for the e-learning module can also be downloaded.

Participants must first sign in to the BCH in order to post messages. Once signed in, participants can reply to a message by clicking the ‘reply’ button found under the text of that message.

Please also review the modalities and the general guidelines.

Please note that the online forum has been extended to 5 May 2017