Analysis of the Technical document at the 31st UNESCO General Conference
In 2001, Draft Resolution 31 C/DR1 was submitted to the 31st UNESCO General Conference requesting for consideration of SIMDAS as a sub-programme of the major programme on Natural sciences. The conference decided to consider SIMDAS as a project of the SADC countries and to allocate to the project limited seed funding from within the UNESCO regular budget to be complemented by extra budgetary resources before being budgeted for in the 2004-05 regular budget. Following the adoption of SIMDAS as a project, the Botswana National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology in Africa (ROSTA) held a regional stakeholders workshop on 25-28 February 2002 in Gaborone, Botswana.

The SIMDAS Regional Stakeholders Workshop (Gaborone, 25-28 February 2002)
The main objective of the workshop was to consult the major stakeholders in the SADC countries on the implementation of the resolution of the 31st UNESCO General Conference on the SIMDAS project. The workshop was attended by delegates from 11 SADC countries. During the workshop, the technical document was discussed through four technical working groups and the deliberation of these groups were then discussed and adopted in plenary sessions. The delegates proposed an implementation structure for SIMDAS, including the composition of the steering committee and defined the short term plan of action for SIMDAS.

The Botswana National Consultative Workshop on SIMDAS (Gaborone 30 April 2002)
One of the major recommendations of the Regional Stakeholders workshop was to convene national consultative workshops in order to brief and consult national stakeholders on the SIMDAS project and to encourage national researchers and research institutions to develop proposals that could be considered for funding within SIMDAS. In 2002 only Botswana held such a consultation with the purpose of achieving the following results:

• Initiate development of a database of national experts in various areas of SIMDAS.
• To initiate establishment of a national SIMDAS committee.

Brief outline and rationale of the project:
The headstreams project focuses on long term ecosystem sustainable management (involving landuse-landcover (LULC) change and-water interactions) in selected upper catchment areas in all the SADC countries. Following a broad Landsat satellite analyses of change, field work and monitoring is envisaged in specific catchment area. As the 14 SADC states are all involved, this work becomes multi-partner and interdisciplinary in nature and while maintaining an overall strategy for water and land-use assessments in the upper catchment areas, we are also cognizant of national priorities.

The reason for choosing headstreams is that lack of proper management in the upper catchments is causing serious problems in often more populated downstream areas. Management problems are exacerbated when the downstream section lies in a different country. Various international agreements or groupings, such as OKACOM for the Okavango basin try to effect basin management with varying degrees of success. In fact many natural resource management or sustainability problems stem from the lack of relevant data in a useable form in the various basin states.

Much headway can be gained by integrating hydrological-soil and land-use data in the various upper catchments and by making this (comparable) data available to all affected member states. It is envisaged that the results of headstream LULC and allied monitoring activities be relayed to the downstream states with a view to recommending proper management practices.

Significant elements of the existing projects looking into human impacts in downstream areas of such basins as the Okavango, lower Zambezi, Limpopo and the Rift Valley lakes will be integrated into the present work. However the overarching need at the present time is to provide more landuse-landcover change data in the headstreams, as without proper management in these areas, the downstream portions may face severe difficulties.

The project therefore will undertake land-use /landcover (LULC) change and include a dimension of hydrological and soil data collection as a basis for monitoring sediment inputs in the significant upper catchments which feed major rivers in all the SADC countries. Extended areas which will serve as foci for the proposed work have been identified. In these upper catchments, accelerated LULC changes are threatening to undermine not only the quality and quantity of river water but are also reducing the natural resource bases for human livelihood through erosion and ecological deterioration.

Little is known about both the regional and local consequences of change which may be due to such diverse apparent causes as climate change (as reported in Lesotho) resettlements due to war (Angola), volcanic activity (Democratic Republic of Congo) or intensive hillslope agriculture (Mauritius and Swaziland). The work which has strong training components, aims at using decadal remotely sensed (mainly TM) imagery coupled with field based science to analyse landuse/landcover trends including natural resource depletion in upper catchments areas in the fourteen SADC nations.

Hotspots where accelerated change is taking place will be identified as a result of image analysis. In these sub-catchments, site specific meteorological, hydrological, soil and agricultural data gathering and analysis will take place to provide an in depth understanding of the biophysical system. This stage will be undertaken with the direct help and input from local communities to provide for effective community based natural resources management (demonstration) programmes. This will include the use of high resolution imagery (e.g. Quickbird or recent aerial photography) and associated mapping. Continual interactions from local communities will be required to provide inputs into recommended natural resources management strategies with the assistance of local government personnel.

Management Structures
i) Project Co-ordination

The overall coordination of the project has been entrusted to the Harare Cluster Office but the implementation of the project activities will be undertaken in collaboration with the national and cluster offices in the SADC Region, the UNESCO Regional Office for sciences and the Technology in Africa (ROSTA), the UNESCO-IHE Institute for water education, the natural science sector at the Headquarters and UNESCO Chairs operating in the areas of competence of SIMDAS . The secretariat of the project will be located at the Harare Cluster Office. For this purpose, it was decided to strengthen the capacity of the Harare Cluster Office, in particular by re-defining the job description of post AF/RP/ZIM/SC/002 from the basic sciences to a SIMDAS profile. Hopefully the process of recruitment of the programme specialist will be completed before the end of this year.

ii) Steering Committee

In order to recognize regional ownership of the project and to ensure that the project responds effectively to the needs of the sub-region, it was proposed to establish a Steering Committee of the programme made up of representatives of the SADC member states selected by national authorities through the National commissions for UNESCO on the basis of their individual expertise in the areas of competence of SIMDAS.

The assignments of the steering committee should include the following:

• Evaluation and approval of the project proposals submitted by institutions from the SADC countries

• Assessment of annual reports of ongoing project proposals

• Participation in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the SIMDAS activities

• Contribution to mobilization of partnerships and resources for SIMDAS activities

iii) National SIMDAS Committees

As in the case of MAB and IHP, it was proposed that each member country should establish a national SIMDAS Committee. These committees should work in synergy with National Committees of the five UNESCO Intergovernmental Commissions and the National Commissions of UNESCO in the SADC countries.

Selection of the First Group of SIMDAS Students
In May 2004 the University of Botswana convened in Maun a SADC kick-off regional experts meeting to identify research sub-themes to be addressed within the approved Headstream project.

Following the above meeting, the University of Botswana developed an advert and an information note which were used to launch a call for applications from students from universities and research centres in the SADC member states. The note provided information on the requirements and application procedure. It also indicated that priority was to be given to women and junior lecturer/researchers. The information note was sent to all UNESCO Offices, National Commissions for UNESCO and universities in the SADC countries for wide dissemination to researchers and junior lecturers. The note was also circulated to more than 3.000 people through the mailing list of the UNESCO Harare electronic Newsletter and posted on the Harare Cluster website and the website of the Third World Academy of Sciences. The response was 100 replies from Europe/USA and approximately 10 each from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi. None were received from Mozambique, Swaziland, Seychelles, Mauritius, Botswana, South Africa and Angola. In September 2004, out of a potential of 40 candidates, a decision was made to take the following 3 candidates:

• Mrs. Maideyi Meck ,Zimbabwe- “Impact of Mining on the Save River”
• Mr. Jonathan Kampata ,Zambia-“LULC cause in Upper Zambezi”
• Mr. Charles Mulokozi ,Tanzania- “Malagarasi Ramsar Site Ecological Project”

The students have now begun their studies. They have to develop a fully fledged proposal which should be finalized by October, 2005 and defended to the Environmental Science Board for evaluation and Assessment. If they fail, then they get MPhil. However, if they are successful and pass with major/minor amendments, then they proceed onto a full Phd research. This research takes place in their own country with the help of one Supervisor from the University of Botswana environmental Science; one from the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre and the other from their own country.

Experts Consultation on Biosphere Reserves and SIMDAS held in Harare, Zimbabwe, 7 – 8 September, 2004
The Consultation on Biosphere Reserves and SIMDAS held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 7 – 8 September 2005 centered on the linkage of the ecology aspect to the SIMDAS project in the context of the budget that had been set aside in 2004/5 for activities on Ecology.

The original objectives of the consultation were to identify key questions for ecological research in SIMDAS and possible links to SIMDAS research in other fields; review a list of possible Biosphere Reserve sites to be used to stimulate discussion with Member States and review and agree on Terms of Reference for consultant missions to SADC Member States on Biosphere Reserves and SIMDAS.

Two major conclusions on ecological research emerged from the consultation namely:

• There are many important potential research topics in this area: one group of topics would provide better understanding of both social and ecological processes and a second group would address management issues at both policy and implementation level, with many of the topics involving local communities and their interactions.
• All the main classes of problems put forward could be studied in the same area where the SIMDAS “Headstreams project” plans to conduct research, and this could lead to productive synergies. In addition, the same approach of conducting research and providing research training through support of postgraduate studentships was applicable and there was no point in having a separate project structure.

The Consultation thus recommended that one or two studentships related to ecological research should be provided from the funds available for this activity and they should be included in the second offer of studentships for the Headstreams project planned for the year 2005.

On the two remaining objectives, the consultation decided that a different approach was needed where each country would be invited to propose its own work plan for developing Biosphere Reserves in the SIMDAS context thus ensuring a country owned process.

First Meeting of the SIMDAS Flagship Programme Steering Committee Gaborone, 7-9 June 2005
Botswana and UNESCO hosted the first meeting of the Sustainable Integrated Management of Arid and Semi-Arid Region of southern Africa (SIMDAS) Flagship Steering Committee from 7 to 9 June 2005 at the Gaborone Sun Hotel in Gaborone, Botswana.

The Steering Committee begun by electing the bureau of the Steering Committee during Session I and it is here that the Committee unanimously selected the host country, Botswana as the Chairperson. Dr. James King is therefore the current chairperson of the SIMDAS steering committee.

The presentation of the UNESCO/SIMDAS Flagship programme provided the committee with an enriching experience of knowledge related to the historical and current developments in SIMDAS. It was on this basis that rich and at times heated discussions were able to take place during the review of the programme management structure of SIMDAS, the programme implementation modalities, the draft work plan for the period June – December, 2005 and the draft work plan for 2006 – 2007.

Among the deliberations, discussions were held on possible strategies for mobilization of partnerships and Extra-budgetary resources, and new guidelines for development of SIMDAS project proposals.

The three day meeting resulted in a common understanding on the various roles within the SIMDAS project and a commitment to work towards decisions based on Programming and Networking strategies.

Beside the full report on the proceedings of the meeting, the following concrete decisions were agreed upon:

Progamme Strategies

• That SIMDAS, will in its planning and coordination activities provide linkage to the Millennium Development Goals and render support to initiatives such as NEPAD and SADC given the mandate of the steering committee to review, discuss the progress and provide leadership and guidance to the project.

• That the achievements of the SIMDAS Flagship Programme will continue to be linked to the sustainable management of water resources capacity building and sustainability of Man and Biosphere, Ecology, Energy and Environment. Results will be measured through networking, the creation and functioning of databases and assessment reports that will assist the policy-maker to make meaningful and effective policies.

• That the sustainability of the SIMDAS Flagship programme will depend on the capacity to mobilize resources and the formation of partnerships.

• That the involvement of the SADC Secretariat and its membership of the Steering Committee will enhance SIMDAS through information sharing and advice.

• That the overall coordination of the project will continue to be under the responsibility of the UNESCO Harare office as entrusted by the UNESCO Director-General to the Harare Cluster office but the implementation of the project activities will be undertaken in collaboration with the UNESCO Management Group for SIMDAS which consists of the national and cluster offices in the SADC region, Water Related UNESCO Chairs in the SADC region and the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology.

• That the regional ownership of the SIMDAS project will be ensured and achieved through the functioning of an efficient SIMDAS Steering Committee whose major role is to provide guidance and leadership to the Project, evaluate project proposals submitted by institutions from the SADC countries, assess annual reports of ongoing projects, participate in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the SIMDAS activities undertaken by UNESCO and contribute to the formation of partnerships and mobilization of resources of SIMDAS activities.

• That project proposals must be endorsed by National Commissions for UNESCO and submitted to the SIMDAS Secretariat through the Commission

• That the collection of data on SIMDAS themes to be eventually placed on the SIMDAS website will represent a major activity in the SIMDAS programme.

• That the issue of language will be considered in the future planning of meetings and that the Steering Committee will ensure the equal participation of all the SADC countries in the SIMDAS project so that no country is seen as lagging behind.

• That SIMDAS will develop capacity for mobilization of extra-budgetary resources for implementation of SIMDAS projects. In this regard SIMDAS will also seek for support from NEPAD and SADC secretariats through the SIMDAS Secretariat.

• That in regard to mobilization of extra-budgetary resources, mobilized resources shall support the implementation of ongoing and newly approved SIMDAS projects. The efforts will involve all the SIMDAS structures including the SIMDAS Steering Committee and the SIMDAS secretariat and the network of UNESCO field offices in the SADC countries including UNESCO chairs.

Networking Strategies

• That SIMDAS will network with various mechanisms set up and identified during the meeting in order to follow up on the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Third World Water Forum and the United Nations World Water Assessment Programme.

• That as much as possible, cross-country collaboration will be enhanced and encouraged in the pursuit of tapping and benefiting from different learning scenarios. And that through the creation of an effective databank network, capacity in the region will be successfully identified and utilized.

• That the exploration of the most cost-effective networking strategies will be used in the sharing of knowledge and building of capacity.

• That SIMDAS will tap on current UNESCO structures to benefit from resources allocated for projects in Science and Technology such as the Africa Union Support to NEPAD, the UN Cluster on Cooperation with African Union on NEPAD where UNESCO’s mandate is focused on Science and Technology and the UNESCO/NEPAD cooperation.

• That SIMDAS will also tap on other resource structures such as the German Academic Exchange Service for training and capacity-building purposes; UNEP’s International Environment Technology Centre in Japan etc.

• That the initial Guidelines Document has been revised in the context of the new developments and focus to SIMDAS and this revision has largely considered the incorporation of the much needed regional ownership and structural clarification dimension.

List of Members of the SIMDAS Steering Committee

• Dr. James G. King, Chairman, Department of Physics, University of Botswana
  kingjg@mopipi.ub.bw

• Prof. Domingos De Oliveira Cadete, Ministry of Science and Technology, Angola
  mdocadete@hotmail.com or mdocadete@yahoo.com.br

• Mr. Musoyi Bayipoke Willy Etienne, Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Nature, Water and Forest, DRC, musoyibay@yahoo.fr

• Dr. Fadhila H. Ali (Khatibu), National Environment Management Council, Tanzania
  fad_hemed@yahoo.co.uk or fad_hemed@hotmail.com or nemc@nemctz.org

• Mr. Pola P.L.M. Kimena, Acting Director, HRA, Ministry of Science ,Technology and Vocational Training, Zambia pplmkimena@mstvt.gov.zm

• Ms Immolatrix L. Geingos, Senior Science and Technology Officer, Ministry of Education, Namibia
  igeingos@mhevtst.gov.na or ilgeingos@yahoo.com

• Professor C.H.D. Magadza, Tropical Resources Ecology Programme, University of Zimbabwe
  profmagadza@utande.co.zw or chrismagadza@hotmail.com

• Mr. Dumsani H. Mndzebele, Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Water Resources Branch, Swaziland
  dumihm@realnet.co.sz

• Prof . E.Y. Sambo, Dean of Science, Chancellor College, Biology Department, University of Malawi
  esambo@chanco.unima.mw or eysambo2005@yahoo.com

• Professor O.K. Chakela, Department of Geography, National University of Lesotho
  qk.chakela@nul.ls; qk.chakela@nul.ls

• Professor Yongxin Xu, UNESCO Chair in Hydrogeology, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
  yxu@uwc.ac.za.

Visit to the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) and Meeting with SIMDAS Headstream Project Staff and students
As part of the agenda of the 2nd Consultation of the Secretaries General of the National commissions for UNESCO in the SADC Countries held in Maun, Botswana on 8-10 August 2005, the Minister of Education of Botswana Hon Jacob Nkate, the Secretaries General of the National Commissions for UNESCO and the Directors/Heads of UNESCO Offices in the SADC region visited the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre on 8 August 2005.

Professor Shabani presented a short brief on the SIMDAS Project in the SADC Region followed by Professor Ringrose who provided a major outline of the SIMDAS Headstreams projects. The current SIMDAS Phd fellows then shared with the meeting major highlights of their project proposals.

Following discussions and comments on the three presentations a quick tour of the Centre facilities was made and conducted by Ms. Masalalila in the GIS Library, Ms. Kupe in the laboratory, Mr. Kiberu in the Library and Mr. Sethebe in the Herbarium.

Guidelines for Preparation of SIMDAS Project Proposals
A draft of the Guidelines has been discussed at the 1st meeting of the SIMDAS Steering Committee held in June 2005 in Gaborone and at the 2nd Consultation of Secretaries General of National Commissions for UNESCO in the SADC countries held in August 2005 in Maun, Botswana. Following the finalization of the draft, a call for proposals has been sent out in August 2005 with a deadline of 15 October 2005.

The following 12 proposals have been received and will be reviewed shortly:

• N. Tobani, University of Zimbabwe: Developing an IWRM Tool in the Transboundary Save Catchment
• Professor T. Miti and K. Alion, University of Kinshasa, DRC, Appui à la création d’un centre international pour la gestion intégrée des ressources en eau du bassin du fleuve Congo
• Kobus Du Plessis, Research and Development of a Mobile Water Laboratory Service for Application in Southern Pretoria , South Africa
• ENviroCon/Bernard Hyde Associates joint venture in Association with University of Botswana; Energy Conservation in Building Design Programme
• Mrs. Roumiana Kirilova Hranova, Gaborone, Botswana, Diffuse pollution- Control and Management
• Nyambe Nalumino, WWF Partners for Wetlands & Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lusaka; Developing Strategies for the Sustainable Utilisation of dambos for small-scale agriculture in Zambia
• Dr. A. J. Varkey & Prof M. D. Dlamini, Department of Physics; University of Swaziland; Development of an Indigenous Water Filter using Anthracite and Clay
• Professor Chris Magadza, University of Zimbabwe, Kuburi Wilderness Biosphere Reserve
• Professor Denis Hughes and Dr. Nikite Muller, Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, South Africa, The Changing Hydrology of water bodies in southern Africa and the impacts on Ecological functioning and Human Health
• Southern Water Ecological Research and Consulting (Dr. C. Brown; Mrs. R. Penny), Improving the Management of flows for people and the environment through dialogue and research
• Mathaba Makuta, UNDP and UN Habitat; Capacity Building and Management of Sustainable Cities in Lesotho
• University of Namibia: International Masters Degree Programme in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development.