Online Discussion on Public Awareness regarding LMOs

Date: 15 March 2018 - 5 April 2018

Please note that the 15th anniversary of the Protocol webpage is now available

Welcome to the Online Discussion on Public Awareness 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 will be convening an online discussion aimed to facilitate exchange of views and information entitled:
Biosafety awareness

The expected outcomes are to: facilitate the implementation of programme element 2 of the Programme of Work on public awareness and education; facilitate the implementation of priority area 2 and 4 of the priority areas to the programme of work to build and maintain joint initiatives and communicate biosafety and empower a wider audience. At COP-MOP 8, in decision VIII/18, the Programme of Work was extended until 2020 with priority areas/activities to enable streamlined strategic focus and foster further commitment to advancing the implementation of the Programme of Work.

Themes

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

Week 1: 15 March 2018 to 22 March 2018

Theme 1: Messages and communication channels for the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the entry into force of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and beyond

Week 2: 23 March 2018 to 5 April 2018

Theme 2: Collaboration for the Future: Mobilizing partnerships and funding for awareness

Theme 3: Follow-up to the Programme of Work on public awareness, education and participation

Participants can download Theme 1, Theme 2 and Theme 3 guiding questions to respond to the questions. The guiding questions are also available in Spanish and French.

Participants must first sign into the BCH account 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.