The SIMDAS programme aims at increasing capacity and involvement of women in water sciences, ecological sciences, energy and environmental health in the SADC countries, mainly through research and training of postgraduate students, establishment of regional networks and identification and establishment of biosphere reserves.

The programme will also help to carry out assessment of water, ecosystem and energy resources and to address environmental health issues in the SADC countries.

The idea for initiating SIMDAS was proposed by the Botswana National Commission for UNESCO and supported by the regional consultative meeting of the National commissions for UNESCO in the African region held from 26-30 June 2000 in Windhoek, Namibia.

In early 2001 the Science sub-committee of the Botswana National Commission for UNESCO established a national experts group to develop the first draft of the SIMDAS Technical document. The draft was completed on 30 May 2001.

In June 2001, the draft technical document was submitted to all the national commissions for UNESCO as well a selected group of international experts for comments and inputs.

A Draft Resolution drawn from the technical document was submitted to the UNESCO Director General in July 2001 by the Government of Botswana, supported by several other countries in the region to seek for support for consideration of SIMDAS by the 31st General Conference as a sub-programme of the Natural Sciences major programme.

Chronology of events culminating in the creation of SIMDAS

• Analysis of Technical document at the 31st UNESCO General Conference

• The SIMDAS Regional Stakeholders Workshop (Gaborone, February 2002)

• The Botswana National Consultative Workshop on SIMDAS (Gaborone April 2002)

• Selection of project Proposals

• Consultative Meeting of Secretaries General of National Commissions for UNESCO in the SADC Countries (Gaborone, August 2003)