Difference between revisions of "Alliance for Science"

From Wikispooks
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(stub)
 
(Fix desc)
 
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
 
|twitter=https://twitter.com/ScienceAlly
 
|twitter=https://twitter.com/ScienceAlly
 
|constitutes=lobbyist
 
|constitutes=lobbyist
−
|logo=
+
|logo=Alliance for Science logo.png
 +
|titular_logo=1
 +
|logo_width=400px
 
|start=2014
 
|start=2014
−
|description=[[GMO]] lobbyist organizations.
+
|description=[[Gates Foundation]]-funded [[GMO]] and [[pesticide]] lobbyist organizations.
 
|headquarters=Cornell University
 
|headquarters=Cornell University
 
|interests=GMO
 
|interests=GMO
Line 14: Line 16:
 
|members=
 
|members=
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Alliance for Science''' is a public relations campaign that trains spokespeople and creates networks of influence, particularly in African countries, to persuade the public and policymakers to accept GMOs and pesticides. The [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] launched the effort in [[2014]] with a $5.6 million grant and has since donated $22 million to the effort.<ref>https://usrtk.org/pesticides/cornell-alliance-for-science/</ref>
+
The '''Alliance for Science''' (AfS) is a public relations campaign that trains spokespeople and creates influence networks, particularly in African countries, to persuade the public and [[politician|policymakers]] to accept [[GMO]]s and [[pesticides]].<ref>https://www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/latest-news/20200-outrage-as-the-alliance-for-science-tries-to-co-opt-the-legacy-of-wangari-maathai</ref> The [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] launched the effort in [[2014]] with a $5.6 million grant and has since donated $22 million to the effort.<ref>https://usrtk.org/pesticides/cornell-alliance-for-science/</ref>
  
 +
==Own words==
 +
We conduct policy advocacy, communications campaigns, and research amplification, to promote an enabling environment for science-based solutions to challenges of [[food]] and nutrition security, [[climate change]], [[global health]], and [[misinformation]].<ref name=about>https://allianceforscience.org/about/</ref>
  
 +
The Alliance focuses its efforts around:
 +
Establishing a global network. We are building and engaging an international alliance [[science advocates]].... We empower [[science champions]] around the world with the tools and skills needed to [[communicate]] effectively...and continually updating our comprehensive collection of photographs, videos, blog posts, podcasts, fact sheets, and other multimedia resources that provide accurate information about [[GMO|agricultural biotechnology]], [[climate change]], [[vaccines]], [[COVID-19]], and other global science issues.<ref name=about/>
  
 +
The Alliance based at the Boyce Thompson Institute at [[Cornell University]].<ref name=about/>
 +
 +
==Creating leaders==
 +
The '''Alliance for Science Global Leadership Fellows Program''' is a 12-week intensive training course held on the [[Cornell University]] campus. It is designed "to equip and empower emerging international leaders who are committed to advocating for science-based communications and access to scientific innovation in their home countries. The training focuses on strategic planning, grassroots organizing, and innovative communications with a strong focus on stories of science and effective communications around agricultural biotechnology."<ref>https://allianceforscience.org/training/global-leadership-fellowship/</ref>
 +
 +
==Co-opting the legacy of Wangari Maathai==
 +
In 2023, the AfS attempted to co-opt the legacy of [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner [[Wangari Maathai]] (1940-2011), in a move that the Nigerian environmentalist and poet [[Nnimmo Bassey]] called "truly shameless" and that other African environmentalists also condemned. The Alliance tweeted a series of posts, including a graphic that included a photo of Wangari Maathai next to the all-caps message, "CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF WANGARI MAATHAI", adding to the impression that the Alliance and the spirit of Wangari Maathai are as one.<ref name=gmwatch> https://www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/latest-news/20200-outrage-as-the-alliance-for-science-tries-to-co-opt-the-legacy-of-wangari-maathai</ref>
 +
 +
[[Monsanto]] had previously attempted to recruit Wangari Maathai to their "feed the world" advertising campaign. But Maathai not only refused to sign on to Monsanto's campaign, but, in direct response, wrote her essay, ''The linkage between patenting of life forms, genetic engineering and food insecurity''<ref>http://www.ukabc.org/gaiam4_1.htm</ref>, where she warned her fellow Africans that "if we thought that [[slavery]] and [[colonialism]] were gross violations of human rights, we have to wake up to what is awaiting us down the secretive road of biopiracy, [[patenting of life]] and [[genetic engineering]].<ref name=gmwatch/>
 +
 +
==Astroturf demonstrations==
 +
In March 2023, [[Patricia Nanteza]], a graduate of the Leadership Fellows Program, arranged pro-GMO demonstrations in the capitals of both [[Uganda]] and [[Kenya]] in support of the widely opposed<ref>https://qz.com/kenyas-gmo-question-is-a-polarizing-one-1849678096</ref> lifting by Kenya’s President of his country’s GMO ban.<ref>https://www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/latest-news/20192-africa-s-first-pro-gmo-peoples-march-is-classic-astroturf</ref>
 +
 +
==Funding==
 +
The Alliance is "in large part" funded by the [[Gates Foundation]].<ref>https://allianceforscience.org/blog/2018/04/bill-gates-gene-editing-can-help-humanity/</ref> Other sponsors include the [[US/Department/Agriculture|US department of Agriculture]] and [[USAID]].<ref>https://allianceforscience.org/about/funders/</ref> One sponsor is the [[American Endowment Foundation]], a [[cut-out]] which makes funding from anonymous backers possible. disguised as "[[philanthropy]]".<ref>https://allianceforscience.org/about/funders/</ref>
  
  
Line 23: Line 44:
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
−
{{stub}}
 

Latest revision as of 14:03, 14 April 2024

Group.png Alliance for Science
(Lobbyist) Twitter WebsiteRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
Alliance for Science logo.png
Formation2014
HeadquartersCornell University
InterestsGMO
Sponsored byBill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US/Department/Agriculture, USAID
Gates Foundation-funded GMO and pesticide lobbyist organizations.

The Alliance for Science (AfS) is a public relations campaign that trains spokespeople and creates influence networks, particularly in African countries, to persuade the public and policymakers to accept GMOs and pesticides.[1] The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the effort in 2014 with a $5.6 million grant and has since donated $22 million to the effort.[2]

Own words

We conduct policy advocacy, communications campaigns, and research amplification, to promote an enabling environment for science-based solutions to challenges of food and nutrition security, climate change, global health, and misinformation.[3]

The Alliance focuses its efforts around: Establishing a global network. We are building and engaging an international alliance science advocates.... We empower science champions around the world with the tools and skills needed to communicate effectively...and continually updating our comprehensive collection of photographs, videos, blog posts, podcasts, fact sheets, and other multimedia resources that provide accurate information about agricultural biotechnology, climate change, vaccines, COVID-19, and other global science issues.[3]

The Alliance based at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University.[3]

Creating leaders

The Alliance for Science Global Leadership Fellows Program is a 12-week intensive training course held on the Cornell University campus. It is designed "to equip and empower emerging international leaders who are committed to advocating for science-based communications and access to scientific innovation in their home countries. The training focuses on strategic planning, grassroots organizing, and innovative communications with a strong focus on stories of science and effective communications around agricultural biotechnology."[4]

Co-opting the legacy of Wangari Maathai

In 2023, the AfS attempted to co-opt the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai (1940-2011), in a move that the Nigerian environmentalist and poet Nnimmo Bassey called "truly shameless" and that other African environmentalists also condemned. The Alliance tweeted a series of posts, including a graphic that included a photo of Wangari Maathai next to the all-caps message, "CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF WANGARI MAATHAI", adding to the impression that the Alliance and the spirit of Wangari Maathai are as one.[5]

Monsanto had previously attempted to recruit Wangari Maathai to their "feed the world" advertising campaign. But Maathai not only refused to sign on to Monsanto's campaign, but, in direct response, wrote her essay, The linkage between patenting of life forms, genetic engineering and food insecurity[6], where she warned her fellow Africans that "if we thought that slavery and colonialism were gross violations of human rights, we have to wake up to what is awaiting us down the secretive road of biopiracy, patenting of life and genetic engineering.[5]

Astroturf demonstrations

In March 2023, Patricia Nanteza, a graduate of the Leadership Fellows Program, arranged pro-GMO demonstrations in the capitals of both Uganda and Kenya in support of the widely opposed[7] lifting by Kenya’s President of his country’s GMO ban.[8]

Funding

The Alliance is "in large part" funded by the Gates Foundation.[9] Other sponsors include the US department of Agriculture and USAID.[10] One sponsor is the American Endowment Foundation, a cut-out which makes funding from anonymous backers possible. disguised as "philanthropy".[11]


 

Sponsors

EventDescription
Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationVery influential and rich foundation established to take leadership of global health.
US/Department/Agriculture
USAIDUS govt organization to provide "international development", including funding of Ecohealth Alliance. Called "CIA's little sister".
Many thanks to our Patrons who cover ~2/3 of our hosting bill. Please join them if you can.


References

  1. ↑ https://www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/latest-news/20200-outrage-as-the-alliance-for-science-tries-to-co-opt-the-legacy-of-wangari-maathai
  2. ↑ https://usrtk.org/pesticides/cornell-alliance-for-science/
  3. ↑ a b c https://allianceforscience.org/about/
  4. ↑ https://allianceforscience.org/training/global-leadership-fellowship/
  5. ↑ a b https://www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/latest-news/20200-outrage-as-the-alliance-for-science-tries-to-co-opt-the-legacy-of-wangari-maathai
  6. ↑ http://www.ukabc.org/gaiam4_1.htm
  7. ↑ https://qz.com/kenyas-gmo-question-is-a-polarizing-one-1849678096
  8. ↑ https://www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/latest-news/20192-africa-s-first-pro-gmo-peoples-march-is-classic-astroturf
  9. ↑ https://allianceforscience.org/blog/2018/04/bill-gates-gene-editing-can-help-humanity/
  10. ↑ https://allianceforscience.org/about/funders/
  11. ↑ https://allianceforscience.org/about/funders/
Retrieved from "https://wikispooks.com/w/index.php?title=Alliance_for_Science&oldid=278905"