An international non-governmental organisation run from Canada (formerly known as RAFI — the Rural Advancement Foundation International). Dedicated to the 'socially responsible development of technologies useful to rural societies', the ETC group has taken the lead on various campaigns on the impact of intellectual property on agriculture and world food security. The website includes ETC 'comment' articles which are generally opposed to GM technology.
One of the United Kingdom’s largest development organisations, ActionAid works with poor local communities, national governments and international organisations to to eradicate poverty by overcoming the injustice and inequity that cause it, and bring about real change to the lives of poor people. It works in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
ABSF aims to create an enabling environment in which Africa can participate and benefit from biotechnology in a responsible and sustainable manner. The association — through the dissemination of information — aims to enhance an understanding and awareness of all aspects of biotechnology including bio-safety and intellectual property rights. The news and features section mostly contains short information and opinion pieces giving perspectives of scientists and policy-makers in Africa.
AfricaBio is a non-governmental organisation for the various stakeholders involved in the food, feed and fibre sectors within South Africa. It seeks to promote the safe, ethical and responsible research, development and application of biotechnology and its products. The immediate objectives of AfricaBio are: informing and lobbying key stakeholders (including government and industry); providing accurate information on biotechnology to the media and general public; providing international organisations lobbying for or against biotechnology with information on the need for this technology in Africa. 'BioLines' is AfricaBio’s monthly guide to what is topical.
AORTIC aims to improve cancer research, control and prevention in Africa. The organisation runs research projects on cervical cancer screening, hosts biannual conferences and publishes a monthly newsletter, in English and French, with news and commentary on cancer-related activities around Africa as well as a list of upcoming events. AORTIC's website offers links to other organisations working on cancer in Africa, lists training opportunities for scientists and health workers, and provides free access to relevant training manuals, scientific articles, books and presentations.
AgBioWorld brings information about technological advances in agriculture to the developing world. Members include scientists, physicians, professors and others who believe that recent developments in plant science — such as biotechnology — can and should be used to increase crop yields, grow more nutritious plants and reduce dependence on chemicals in order to alleviate hunger and help preserve the environment. AgBioWorld is used by many scientists, but is also relevant to teachers, journalists and the general public. The site is kept fairly up-to-date — comments and reports are usually added in response to significant events, and there is also a discussion group.
AVAC is a community and consumer-based organisation dedicated to accelerating the development and availability of an HIV vaccine through independent analysis, policy advocacy, education and mobilisation. The website contains extensive and regularly updated news and progress reports on vaccine development, including the new AIDS Vaccine Clearing House containing FAQs, documents, and links to all the major sponsors of HIV vaccine trials, with additional specific information and links available in Thai, Spanish, Portuguese and French.
Aidspan is a relatively new independent non-profit organisation based in New York that provides critical analysis, news and comment on the activities of the Global Fund. It publishes a regular newsletter, the Global Fund Observer, and guidance to developing countries on how to apply for Global Fund support for HIV/AIDS projects.
AGRA — a joint initiative of the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — aims to improve African agriculture through new technologies such as improved seeds and fertilisers, better cultivation practices and greater access to credit and marketing channels to help farmers sell their produce.
AGRA's initial investment — US$150m — will be used to develop stronger varieties of African crops, train African scientists and build distribution channels for agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilisers.
The AGRA website publishes information about the alliance's staff and activities and links to a selection of related documents, news and other information.
AmFAR is a major non-profit organisation that provides funding for AIDS research, prevention, treatment education and advocacy, including a number of global initiatives. The site also includes background information - such as a useful 'basic facts' factsheet - and an extensive glossary on HIV/AIDS related terms.
APUA is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote appropriate antimicrobial use worldwide. It does so through antimicrobial resistance research, education, capacity building and advocacy at the global (it has 60 chapters in various countries) and grassroots levels. The website’s information is pitched both at patients and healthcare practitioners and researchers. It features upcoming meetings and conferences, and a detailed list of publications.
The Asia-Pacific Nanotechnology Forum is an independent, non-profit network for policy makers, industry, academics and investors in the Asia-Pacific region. Funded by local governments, it seeks to catalyse the development of nanotechnology research and development. The APNF hosts an annual conference and publishes a quarterly journal.
The Association of Nigerians Abroad is an Internet-based association of Nigerian professionals and friends of Nigeria, which works towards improving the technological, educational, economic, and democratic goals of Nigerians. ANA's headquarters are in Cape Town, South Africa.
ATPAC is a group of Thai professionals in North America which aims to promote the advancement of scientific knowledge, technology and education in Thailand. A similar group operates in Japan.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was created through the merger of the Gates Learning Foundation and the William H. Gates Foundation. The foundation has an endowment of approximately US$25 billion. Among its primary aims are increasing global vaccination rates, developing new vaccines, and helping to bridge the digital divide. It is a major funder of HIV/AIDS research, including the Global Microbicides Project, established in 2000, and HIV/AIDS treatment programmes.
Founded in 1995, BIOTHAI raises awareness of the links between biodiversity and local livelihoods among policymakers and the general public. BIOTHAI is now a member of the Thai National Biosafety Committee and Plant Varieties Protection Board and advises the government on national biodiversity policy. The organisation campaigns on issues surrounding biotechnology and genetically modified organisms in South-East Asia. Its website links to related news, articles, reports and public statements, from a variety of online sources.
Biopact is a non-profit volunteer organisation connecting African and European citizens. It seeks to establish a 'mutually beneficial' biofuel and bioenergy relationship between the two continents. The group is web-based, and provides consulting services for a number of initiatives, including various bioenergy projects in the South.
Some of Biopact's ongoing projects include compiling an 'atlas' of biofuel production for use in estimating production factors, and exploiting Nica fruticans, a potential Nigerian biofuel crop.
BioWatch South Africa is a nongovernmental organisation based in Cape Town founded in 1997 to 'publicise, monitor and research issues of genetic engineering and promote biological diversity and sustainable livelihoods'. It publishes a monthly newsletter, occasional policy briefings and information booklets on genetically modified crops. A library of images, free to reproduce for educational purposes, is also available.
BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations. This statement outlines the group's most recent summary of the avian flu situation relating to wild birds. The link to frequently asked questions may also be useful.
Bright Edges of the World is an online exhibition of life in drylands. This exhibit by the UN Environment Programme and the Smithsonian Institution is aimed at schools. It describes drylands, why they are important, as well as some of the threats that they face. A special section of activities for children includes puzzles, quizzes, links to further reading and other teaching resources.
