A project by UJUZI-SS and its partners · Lwiro, South Kivu
Lwiro-Biblos
Saving a scientific heritage of the Great Lakes.
The central library of the Lwiro Natural Sciences Research Centre (CRSN-Lwiro) holds unique scientific documentation on the region. Lwiro-Biblos aims to protect it, open it up and bring it to life.
The collection
A scientific treasure at risk
Heir to IRSAC, CRSN-Lwiro has held unique scientific documentation on the Great Lakes region for decades. The centre kept working through wars and crises.
But its library is ageing. Without maintenance, historical documents are deteriorating, and the collection remains little known to researchers, students and the public.
The project
Three objectives
Renovate
Restore the facilities to protect the collections for the long term.
Open access
Make the resources easier to reach for researchers, students and the public.
Engage
Run educational programmes for the community, notably on biodiversity and climate change, and host a Youth Peace Space.
Our vision
Make the library a place for learning, research and exchange on biodiversity and climate change.
Who leads the project
The initiative was started by three alumni of the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa. In September 2024, UJUZI-SS formalised it with three partners. The YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa now provides technical support.
- Papy MasudiYALI alumnus, cohort 12
- Grâce MaroyYALI alumna, cohort 52
- Yannick MutamboYALI alumnus, cohort 49
Partners
- UJUZI-SS
- CRSN-Lwiro
- Mwanamke Kesho Asbl
- DRC chapter of YALI RLC East Africa alumni
- YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa · technical support
YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa
A technical support agreement has been signed with YALI RLC East Africa to support Lwiro-Biblos.
Flagship component · Mazingira Expo
Making science accessible to all
“Everyone for inclusive environmental education, by promoting and opening access to CRSN-Lwiro’s scientific articles.”
CRSN-Lwiro produces valuable research on protecting natural habitats, conserving the eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) and empowering the Indigenous peoples living around Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP).
Yet this knowledge remains out of reach for many communities living around the park, especially people with little or no literacy, deaf people and Indigenous peoples. Mazingira Expo turns these articles into simple images, so that science first serves those who live closest to the forest.
Objectives
- Make CRSN-Lwiro’s articles accessible to local communities, including people with low literacy, deaf people and Indigenous peoples.
- Raise awareness among KBNP’s neighbouring communities about protecting habitats, endemic gorillas and the empowerment of Indigenous peoples, through visual tools.
- Create an interactive space to showcase research: open days and cultural fairs.
- 1
Picture boxes
Researchers’ articles become clear, symbolic illustrated stories that can be understood without reading.
- 2
Open days and fairs
At CRSN-Lwiro: discovering the picture boxes, talking with experts and showcasing Indigenous traditional knowledge.
- 3
Inclusion
Formats adapted for deaf people, with Indigenous communities involved from the design stage.
- 4
Environmental education
Sessions for pupils and young people on KBNP’s biodiversity and their role in protecting it.
Envisaged partners
- CRSN-Lwiro central library
- CRSN-Lwiro mammalogy laboratory
- Primate Expertise
- UJUZI-SS
- Local authorities
- Indigenous leaders
- Conservation actors
Progress
Where are we?
- 2024
Initiative launched by three YALI RLC East Africa alumni.
- September 2024
Partnership formalised between UJUZI-SS, Mwanamke Kesho Asbl, CRSN-Lwiro and the DRC chapter of YALI RLC East Africa alumni.
- Visibility
The project is featured in the magazine of the DRC chapter of YALI RLC East Africa alumni.
- Technical support
Technical support agreement signed with the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa.
- Today
Exploratory talks with several foreign libraries and institutions on preserving the collection and opening access to it.
- To launch
Mazingira Expo: first picture boxes and open days at CRSN-Lwiro, over six months.
- Next step
Bring together technical and financial partners to launch the renovation.
Join us
Who we are looking for
Librarians and archivists
Help us inventory, organise and preserve the collections.
Researchers and universities
Bring the collection to life through your work and scientific partnerships.
Digitisation specialists
Support the digital preservation of rare documents.
Volunteers
Give time for sorting, welcoming visitors or running activities.
Institutions and patrons
Partner libraries, donors, foundations: support the renovation.
This heritage belongs to the region. Let’s help it stand the test of time.
Write to us to support, join or accompany Lwiro-Biblos.
Or directly: [email protected]
Thanks to the CRSN-Lwiro management, the DRC chapter of YALI RLC East Africa alumni and Mwanamke Kesho Asbl for their commitment.