By David Mavotu

The FK Africa Regional office conducted a network meeting in Malawi on the 14-15 May 2010. It took place at Kalikuti Hotel in Lilongwe.

FK Programme Officer David Matovu represented the FK Africa Regional Office, with FK Coordinator in Malawi Mr. Chrispine Kamanga of Churches Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) as the convener.

It attracted a total of 75 participants of whom 8 were partner representatives, 6 current participants and 61 former participants in Malawi.

Global Warming

The theme of the meeting was Global Warming and its effect on Humanity. The specific objectives of the meeting included:

• Discussions on the global warming phenomena and issues affecting the Malawian community as a consequence (facilitated by Mrs. Ellen Kululanga – Head of Public Weather service-Department of Climate change and weather services of Malawi)
• Discussing food security issues in Africa and possible solutions
• Adoption of the constitution and election of office bearers for Malawi Network

The phenomena “global warming” was presented and explained to the participants. Its causes, its effects were discussed and came up with recommendations measures in regards to its mitigation through group presentations. On the next day Food security was debated among two groups, for and against food subsidies in Malawi. The debate was moderated by a panel of judges and in the final analysis those against scored 35 and 30 for the pro. Elections were conducted and a committee for Network Malawi was setup headed by Keith Lipato of Mulanje mission of Nursing as its Chairperson.