Environmental Sustainability Education & Awareness Raising in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges for Medical Writers

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

One of the nightmares in Africa is the struggle to achieve sustainable development. African nations still struggle with widespread poverty, disease, lack of energy and basic infrastructure, and growing environmental stress. Although the African continent has similar challenges with regard to sustainable development, each of the five African Regions (i.e., East, West, North, South and Central) faces its own challenges and strategies to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mindful of the fact that SDGs are integrated and inclusive. However, the SDGs are also a significant opportunity for Africa to become a world leader in pioneering solutions to sustainable development problems. Africa is home to abundant natural resources. These resources, if properly managed and directed (through knowledge and skills development), can create break-through solutions for the long-term sustainable development of the African continent. In order to promote sustainable development, and for the achievement of the SDGs and the Agenda 2063 for Africa, no one should be left behind with regard to environmental education and awareness raising, particularly concerning the harmful effects of unsustainable production and consumption, climate change, and environmental pollution. Various stakeholders (i.e., governments, businesses, civil society and academia) must find ways to increase collaboration, partnerships and knowledge sharing to empower one another in terms of environmental sustainability. Moreover, the spatial divide between urban and rural settings must be bridged, and medical writers must be able to identify and use technologies that would be appropriate to ensure that all the communities are reached, and that they receive the knowledge and guidance on how to lead a sustainable lifestyle. Medical writers should be cognisant of these opportunities and challenges for Africa to transform into one of the best performing continents in terms of environmental sustainability.