This week, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of Office at the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) regional office in Maputo, conducted a mission in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe, together with Malawi and Mozambique, falls within the purview of the AICS Regional Office in Maputo.

In Harare, the capital of the country, the Head of Office held meetings with the Delegation of the European Union, the Italian Embassy, Zimbabwean companies participating in Macfrut, as well as with the FAO. It is worth noting that, with this United Nations agency, two projects funded by AICS were recently approved, aimed at improving the agricultural value chain, trade, and the integrated sustainable management of miombo forest areas in the transboundary regions between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

During his stay, the Paolo Enrico Sertoli, also visited the Province of Masvingo, where he could personally assess the status of the “Seeds for the Future” project, implemented by a consortium of NGOs led by Cospe On Plus and funded by AICS. The project supports smallholder farmers in 25 wards across 3 districts (Chiredzi, Mwenezi, and Masvingo) in adopting sustainable agricultural models. These models allow for the development of local and diversified food systems, socially just, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable, thus enhancing resilience factors.

In one of these districts, specifically in Mubagwashe, on April 24th, along with Zimbabwean authorities and partners, he attended the inauguration of a dam and a community garden. In his speech, he emphasized that the infrastructure inaugurated will bring a positive change for rural communities to “achieve food and nutrition security with a diversified diet and acquire greater adaptability to the effects of climate change,” notably allowing the dam to “combat drought induced by the El Niño phenomenon.”

On April 26th, the Head of Office, accompanied by the Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Umberto Malnati, participated in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company, the country’s main trade fair aimed at promoting trade and investment. During their stay, they visit the stand of the Team Europe initiatives, where the “Seeds for the Future” project was also highlighted. They took advantage of this opportunity to present to visitors the results already achieved by the project, including the recently inaugurated dam and community garden…

This year we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with the theme “Female Leadership in Science: A New Era for Sustainability,” and the sub-theme “Think of Science… Think of Peace” recognizing the role of women and girls in science, not only as agents of change but also as promoters of peace.

In this context, we want to tell the life story of Nádia Muchanga, a young marine biologist working in Inhaca who recently participated in the Summer School, a 5-week university exchange program in Italy and Mozambique, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The program involved Mozambican and Italian students, with a focus on studying and conserving mangroves.

The conservation of marine ecosystems is essential for human and marine survival. Nádia Muchanga, a graduate in Marine Biology and currently studying biology and conservation ecology, has worked with coastal communities on Inhaca Island in Mozambique to promote sustainable fisheries management and address challenges such as resource scarcity.

One conservation measure implemented by Nádia and her team was the establishment of fishing prohibited zones, which involve closing fishing activities for a certain period, especially during peak species reproduction. However, these restrictions can lead to conflicts, generating the need to find alternative sources of livelihood for local communities.

To ensure understanding, social peace, and collaboration among communities, Nádia emphasizes the importance of scientific knowledge, particularly environmental education. Through focus groups and the dissemination of scientific information on the need for fishing prohibited zones and ecosystem conservation, secondary school children have become not only awareness agents but also biodiversity conservation agents and promoters of peace in Inhaca.

Awareness of natural resource conservation is not limited to local communities. During her participation in the Summer School at the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Italy, organized through the Mangrowth program[1] last year, Nádia noticed differences in the scientific analysis between Italian students and her Mozambican colleagues. While theory was well developed in Mozambique, practical experience in laboratories was limited. She said, “I was impressed by the quantity and variety of laboratories where my Italian colleagues can put theory into practice, so I welcome with great joy the initiative of Italian Cooperation with Eduardo Mondlane University to provide us access to high-quality laboratories, like the one planned on Inhaca Island, with opening expected by the end of this year.”

This exchange of knowledge, experiences, and culture has enabled the building of a collaboration network among students, who continue to work together even after the conclusion of the Summer School. An example of this collaboration is a study they are jointly developing on the types of fish found in mangroves, which will be presented at the Marine Biodiversity Conference scheduled for June 2024 in Nacala.

The learning acquired during the Summer School has also contributed to formulating proposals for environmental conservation. Nádia and her team have drafted a carbon decree to quantify the amount of carbon that can be absorbed in Inhaca. This proposal aims to present the mangrove ecosystem and generate benefits for local communities. Environmental education plays a fundamental role in this process, raising awareness in the community about the importance of ecosystems and encouraging the conservation of these natural resources.

Establishing peace is crucial for promoting ecosystem conservation and preservation. It is only in peaceful environments that environmental protection can be effective and valuable. Therefore, environmental education is extremely important to ensure the preservation of ecosystems for future generations.

Nádia acknowledges the crucial role of AICS in environmental education, allowing diverse cultures to come together for conservation. The program developed by the agency promotes knowledge exchange and generates scientific benefits that are advantageous for the population as a whole. In 2024, AICS will continue to support the realization of a new Summer School, thus ensuring that future generations have continuous access to environmental education.

The young biologist also thanked the support of Italian Cooperation for women and girls in science, emphasizing that “it provides resources and opportunities that help promote gender equality and the advancement of women in scientific careers in Mozambique.”

Nádia Muchanga is an example of the important role that young Mozambican girls can play in promoting science for ecosystem conservation. “I hope my story inspires other young Mozambican girls to pursue scientific careers, thus contributing to the scientific and technological progress of the country.” On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Nádia also emphasized that “women bring unique perspectives that can lead to new discoveries and innovative solutions to challenges faced by Mozambique.”

[1] AICS, in collaboration with the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” UEM, and MIMAIP, is implementing the “Mangrowth Preservation of Ecosystems for Sustainable Development” program, focusing on Inhaca Island and Maputo Bay (AID. 12432). This is a €3 million program, approved in October 2021, which includes three components: institutional support and coordination; development of scientific capacity at the Marine Biology Station of Inhaca (EBMI) and improvement of its technical and scientific capacity to implement effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration, with a focus on mangrove habitats; and reforestation and management of mangroves in Maputo Bay and the development of income-generating activities.

On October 10, 2023, the inauguration ceremony of the photo exhibition “O Corpo da Mãe” and the screening of the documentary “Barrigas” took place, both produced by the Italian visual artist Angelo Ghidoni, known as Aghi. This event was part of an emergency project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The event was organized by AICS in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Maputo and was held at the renowned Teatro-Scala in Maputo, Mozambique. It brought together more than 100 guests, including government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, United Nations agencies, students, journalists, and others. The photo exhibition will be open to visitors from October 10 to October 17, 2023.

The ceremony was opened by the Italian Ambassador to Mozambique, Gianni Bardini, who emphasized the deep history of Italian cooperation in Mozambique, benefiting the country and the disadvantaged. He stressed the importance of sharing stories to “draw attention and contribute to a fair and sustainable world,” highlighting how these narratives also demonstrate “the professionalism, commitment, and dedication of the Italian cooperation.”

Paolo Sertoli, the Head of the AICS Office in Maputo, contextualized how these artistic products represented an initiative that played a significant role in improving the living conditions of people affected by cyclones Idai and Kenneth, benefiting approximately 400,000 people, including Rebeca, Mariazinha, and Julieta, who were the protagonists of the documentary “Barrigas.” Referring to the upcoming celebration of International Day of Rural Women (October 15), Paolo Sertoli appealed to everyone present to work together to address the many challenges that rural women face.

The inauguration continued with a visit to the photo exhibition “O Corpo da Mãe,” which consisted of 17 black and white photographs. In this exhibition, the artist Aghi explored the physical bond between mother and child in a journey that involved the three target provinces of the intervention in Mozambique: Cabo Delgado, Manica, and Sofala.

The event proceeded with the screening of the documentary “Barrigas,” set in a Casa Mãe Espera in the province of Manica. These facilities, located near healthcare centers, play a crucial role in promoting safe childbirth, thus contributing to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality. The documentary gave voice to the life stories of three women in the final days of their pregnancies.

After the screening of the documentary, there was a space for dialogue and reflection between the artist Aghi and the audience, which highlighted the important social role of the film, even though it focused on highly personal life stories. The artist concluded his participation with the sincere desire to share the documentary soon with the protagonists Rebeca, Mariazinha, and Julieta.

You can watch the documentary at the following link.

On October 9, 2023, the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the Maputo Natural History Museum took place. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Italy in Mozambique, Gianni Bardini, the Director of the Natural History Museum, Lucília Chuquela, the Rector of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), Manuel Guilhermo Júnior, the head of the Maputo Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Paolo Sertoli, as well as representatives from the government, diplomatic corps, United Nations agencies, and civil society.

The Museum, inaugurated in 1913 as the Museum of the Province of Maputo, has over the years become a beacon for the preservation and promotion of Mozambique’s rich biodiversity and cultural diversity. For example, it houses a collection of 175,000 insects and has more than 500 artifacts related to various areas such as dance, sculpture, music, goldsmithing, ceramics, and basketry. Moreover, it is the most visited institution in Mozambique, receiving 32,000 visitors annually, making it an important tourist attraction in the country.

The Museum will now undergo a rehabilitation under the RINO program, which is funded by AICS. This project, with a funding of 9.5 million euros, aims to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and includes funding for the renovation works of the Museum, which will commence in early 2024 and will last for at least one year.

In his speech, the Italian Ambassador in Mozambique, Gianni Bardini, emphasized that once rehabilitated, the Museum will become “a valuable educational tool about biodiversity and local ecosystems” and an “important space for research and the training of young researchers.” He concluded his speech by highlighting that the renovation of the Museum is “a project that represents a pearl of our cooperation, something that will endure, be beneficial, and bring great advantages to Mozambique.”

On her part, Lucília Chuquela, the Director of the Museum, expressed her deep gratitude for the continuous support from the Italian government to the institution, further emphasizing that when the works are completed, “we will have a modern Museum capable of fully serving the functions of education, exhibition, and research.” Meanwhile, UEM Rector, Manuel Guilhermo Júnior, challenged the institution to make the most of the investment made, in order to “become a Museum of reference in Africa and the world.”

After the speeches, visitors had the opportunity to explore the exhibition panels detailing the Museum’s renovation process. The event concluded with a concert performed by the artist Rajih Ali.