ID: 1547
Presenting Author: Cyiza Marie Clemence Uwimanimpaye
Session: 622 - “Science isn’t just for scientists”: IA and advancing technical literacy
Status: pending
PolliConserve bridges science & community, using eco-friendly microbial repellents & storytelling to protect people, pollinators and ecosystems while building trust in sustainable innovation
In Rwanda, conversations about pesticides rarely reach the people most affected by them - farmers, families, and beekeepers. PolliConserve was born from this gap. It is an investigative and scientific initiative that explores how local knowledge, journalism, and biotechnology can come together to reduce the harmful impact of chemical pesticides while protecting pollinators and human health.
The project investigates microbial and botanical alternatives that repel pests without killing them, aiming to make pest control both eco-friendly and humane. Yet PolliConserve is more than research; it is also a communication bridge. By translating laboratory results into accessible stories, visual materials, and community dialogues, the project builds public understanding and trust in science.
Working in collaboration with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme and the “Women for Bees” initiative, PolliConserve connects environmental innovation with education, gender inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods. The research phase begins in Rwanda, with partnerships planned in Europe to refine biocontrol formulations and public engagement strategies.
This presentation reflects on how effective communication - grounded in journalism and local context - can advance scientific literacy and responsible innovation. It invites discussion on how making science understandable and relatable can inspire communities to choose safer, sustainable alternatives for people and planet alike.
Clemence is an environmental & investigative journalist working with UNESCO MAB and Women for Bees, exploring eco-friendly biotech solutions protecting pollinators, people and ecosystems.
Coauthor 1: Dr. Venuste Nsengimana
Coauthor 2: Dr. Adam J. Vanbergen
Coauthor 3: Dr. Apollinaire William