On December 4 to 7, 2018, at the BECA-IRLI Hub, IRLI Campus in Nairobi, Kenya, a training workshop on science communication was held for researchers from national agricultural research institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. This workshop saw the participation of researchers from Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea, Sudan, Eritrea, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, DRC, Nigeria, Niger, Kenya, Niger, Kenya, Kenya, Kenya, Kenya This training was led by communication experts from ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Biotechnological Agricultural Applications).

The activities of this training started with a presentation by the participants and the trainers. Afterwards, general remarks related to the training were given jointly by Dr. Ekaya Wellington, Director of the Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund (ABCF) Program and Dr. Faith Nguthi, Senior Program Officer at ISAAA Africenter. Afterwards, the trainers started their presentations.

The first presentation concerning the introduction to science communication was given by Dr. Faith Nguthi who clearly showed the importance of science communication. She said that researchers do a lot of activities for the benefit of the population but that the results are not or are poorly communicated to the target audience (decision-makers and farmers). We need to learn how to communicate the results of our research to the public, she added. She ended her presentation by giving the rules of scientific communication. The second presentation was presented by Ms. Bibiana Iraki-Kipkorir and focused on the introduction to the principles of effective scientific communication. During this presentation, Ms. Bibiane Iraki gave explanations on seven principles for effective scientific communication. She did not fail to point out that effective scientific communication starts with understanding the stakeholders involved in the area covered by the communication. These two presentations were followed by a discussion session.

The third and fourth presentations, presented by Dr. Faith Nguthi and Ms. Bibiane Iraki-Kipkorir respectively, focused on the introduction to stakeholder identification and strategies for involving decision makers. During these presentations, the trainers gave keys to stakeholder analysis based on identifying the profile of each stakeholder (their interest, influence and impact) as well as the development of messages intended for stakeholders without forgetting the techniques or strategies for involving decision-makers. These presentations were followed by practical stakeholder analysis sessions and stakeholder engagement strategies.

On the second day, two presentations on the message to be delivered and the use of stories and stories to talk about science. During the first presentation, Dr. Faith Nguthi mentioned that the message to be delivered to stakeholders should be prepared in advance as well as the answers to any questions that may arise. The message should contain key words supported by hard evidence and that message should be delivered in a short amount of time. Following the first presentation, Ms. Bibiana Irakir-Kipkorir mentioned that the message can be delivered through stories and stories relating to the theme that one wants to communicate to the public. These presentations were followed by a discussion session and a practical session on developing messages and stories and stories. This practical session was followed by the presentation of the developed messages and stories by all participants.

On the third day, the presentations on the introduction to media relations (what to do and what not to do with media interviews) by Ms. Esther Kamweru and the management of difficult situations by Dr. Margaret Karembu from ISAAA. These presentations were followed by a presentation by journalist Geoffrey Ondithi on the preparation of radio broadcasts. Details about the media, the interviews and their preparation, and the behavior during the interviews were given. These explanations were followed by a practical session of radio and television interviews.

On the fourth day, the presentations concerned scientific communication through social media by Ms. Bibiana Iraki-Kipkorir and the elevator pitch by Dr. Margaret Karembu. Practical exercises related to the use of Twitter, blogs, not to mention the implementation of the elevator pitch under one minute were carried out by the participants.

It should be noted that during this workshop, the trainers were assisted by other ISAAA agents who are Mr. Mutero Nsume and Mr. Walter Langat.

The training ended with the certification of the participants by Dr. Ekaya Wellington and Dr. Margaret Karembu assisted by Dr. Faith Nguthi.