On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Swiss Center for Scientific Research in Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) welcomed academics from the Science Journalism Academy 2025, a training program in science journalism and development issues in Africa.  

Professor Inza Koné, Director General of the CSRS, welcomed the academics and gave them a presentation on the CSRS. Emmanuel Dabo, Director of the African Science Communication Agency (ASCA), the communications agency that initiated the Science Journalism Academy, thanked the CSRS for its hospitality and its willingness to encourage efforts to disseminate and promote science to non-scientific audiences.

“Biodiversity: a major challenge” and “Sustainable agriculture and science journalism” were the themes of the presentations given by CSRS researchers. Dr. Prince Valé enlightened the academicians on the definition of biodiversity, its challenges, the threats it faces, and the contribution of the media in addressing this situation. Professor Jean Baptiste Ettien and Dr. Armel Kraidy discussed the links between sustainable agriculture and science journalism.

After the presentations, the participants visited the CSRS laboratories. The visit ended with a lunch hosted by the CSRS.

The result of a partnership between the African Science Communication Agency (ASCA), the Swiss Scientific Research Center in Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS), Afrique One, and the Mali-based media outlet Science de chez nous, the Science Journalism Academy aims to equip young journalists with the tools they need to popularize science. Launched on August 26, 2025, for a period of one month, the Science Journalism Academy is now in its first edition.

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