Apimondia in Africa

THE XXXVII INTERNATIONAL BEEKEEPING CONGRESS

The Apimondia Congress is the largest international event for the world’s beekeeping industry. In October the 37th Congress took place over five days in Durban, South Africa. The venue for the Congress was the Durban International Congress Centre that provided all the facilities needed for ceremonies, the trade exhibition, meetings large and small, social events, and catering for beekeepers made hungry from their efforts.

There was unique historical value attached to this Congress for it was the first time it has taken place in Africa. The South African Organizing Committee responded admirably and presented a vast programme of plenary sessions, symposia, posters, receptions, local history, singing and dance.

Apiculture is a very wide field and Apimondia organises the subject according to seven Standing Commissions. These are: Beekeeping Economy, Bee Biology, Bee Pathology, Beekeeping Technology and Equipment, Pollination and Bee Flora, Beekeeping for Rural Development and Apitherapy.

STANDING COMMISSION FOR BEEKEEPING FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The Standing Commission for Beekeeping for Rural Development organised three large sessions where dozens of papers were presented. These described projects and research underway worldwide, beekeeping with different species and races of honeybees, and also with stingless bees. The great benefit of presenting your work at Apimondia is that it enables other people to hear of you, and to make contact with information and experiences to share.

In addition to the formal sessions, the Standing Commission for Beekeeping for Rural Development organised a special area within the exhibition hall. This was the place to renew acquaintances, meet new colleagues working in this field, ask questions, discuss world honey prices, the merits and demerits of local hives, top-bar hives and so on. The area was enhanced by a large 3-D model of Bees for Development’s logo, with beautifully-made African hives brought along by Congress participants, and displays of honey and wax products from different continents.

* Please see the original journal article to see a table showing the Apimondia Congress contest winners of 2001.

Bernhard Clauss, veteran Apimondia participant and renowned beekeeping development expert offers the following advice:

Dear Friends in rural and peri-urban development, The next APIMONDIA Congress will take place in Slovenia from 24-29 August 2003. Again we are all invited to contribute the richness of our experiences. Maybe you already have some topic in mind you want to present to the international beekeeping community? Bear in mind that you have to follow strictly the rules and requirements.

Do not fool yourself: time is not with you and the event is just around the corner. Do not postpone! At the recent Congress many of our speakers dragged their feet. They did not observe the deadlines for the submission of abstracts and papers or posters, and consequently government officials and donors were irritated or shrugged their shoulders when being faced with last-minute approaches for funding. These are the steps required:

- Contact the organisers of APIMONDIA 2003 today; you will find the address in Look Ahead, page 12.

- Be serious: start collecting your facts, data and audio-visual documents immediately.

- Have your abstract ready for submission by the time the organisers send the First Announcement -to you.

- Carefully read and follow their rules and regulations: only then will you have a chance to “sell” your case to a donor, who may fund your participation, and only then can your abstract and paper be made available to everybody who is interested.

- APIMONDIA and Bees for Development do not have funding resources to support attendance at Apimondia Congresses. However, plan ahead, approach donor organisations and private companies in your own country, and you can be there.

APIMONDIA

APIMONDIA is the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations. The Apimondia Headquarters are based in Rome, Htaly. Apimondia also has an Institute, the International Beekeeping Technology and Economy Institute (IITTEA) in Bucharest, Romania. Every two years Apimondia convenes the International Beekeeping Congress.

The venue for 2003 is Ljubljana, Slovenia and in 2005 the Apimondia Congress will take place in Dublin, Ireland. Look Ahead in B&D will provide you with contact details for all these events.

Thank you

Bees for Development would like to thank the following organisations for sponsoring delegates’ Participation costs, the Apimondia Standing Commission for Beekeeping for Rural Development and Bees for Development’s participation in the Congress:

Bee Health Ltd (UK)

CARTF (The Caribbean)

DANIDA (Denmark)

CTA (The Netherlands)

E H Thorne (Beehives) Ltd (UK)

The Commonwealth Foundation (UK)

Vita (Europe) Ltd

Wye Valley Apiaries (UK)

We also thank the large numbers of individuals who assisted in so many ways before, during and after this major event. Nothing could have succeeded without support from the South African Organizing Committee.