1. CRSN: SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE STATE
Prince Kaleme
Scientific Director, CRSN/Lwiro

2. CRSN-Lwiro

3. Introduction
Created as “Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique en Afrique Centrale (IRSAC)” on 1st July 1947
The aim was to Encourage, promote, coordinate and conduct research in the Belgian Congo and Rwanda- Urundi

4. History
Since independences, names and the scope of the institution changed. It was now limited to the DR Congo.
In 1975, it became - “Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique (IRS)” with stations but reporting  Lwiro.
In 1984, it was named : “Centre de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles (CRSN) ” with the aim to conduct, promote and coordinate research, science and technology in the DR Congo (formerly Zaïre).
In 1994, stations Uvira and Mabali became autonomous
2008 – Goma Volcano Observatory --

5. Organization Five research departments: Department of Biology
Department of Geophysics
Department of Documentation 
Department of Environment
Department of Nutrition

6. The role of the state in CRSN
CRSN is a state owned institution
Guaranty for salaries
Opportunities for capacity building
Representation at government – some opportunities obtained OVG for surveillance of volcanoes (2002).

7. Problems with the state
No funds for research
Very slow in cases of emergency
Become active in case of catastrophes (Earth quakes, land slides, outbreak of epidemic - most of the time without funds)

8. Contribution to Congo basin conservation
Inventories in protected areas for postwar control or biodiversity assessment before the PA gazetting process:
Mammals (large and small): species lists with distribution maps
Plant diversity (±10000 plant specimens in the herbarium)
Ornithology (850 specimens)
Herps (reptiles and amphibians)

9. Activities to date Dept of Biology
Document biodiversity in the DRC and neighboring countries (Rwanda, Burundi)
Postwar assessment of biodiversity in the DRC’s Protected Areas (PAs)
Digitizing of maps and herbarium materials
Database of existing specimens of mammals, birds, herps plants, insects, snails, etc.

10. Activities (cont’d) Department of Geophysics
Monitoring of the seismic activity of the western Rift
Localize seismic hazard or landslide in the region and sensitize populations
Recording and managing of climate data since 1953  network of rainfall stations (12) west of Lake Kivu

11. Activities (cont’d) Department of Documentation
Management of the Library
Research in human sciences (archives, humanities …)
Maintain map and important documentation of the region

12. Achievements Department of biology Department of Geophysics
Introduction of a fish species Limnothrissa miodon (Sambaza) from Lake Tanganyika to Lake Kivu in 1958
Knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems
Updated database of biodiversity and soon, land use in the Kivu (collaboration with JGI)
Department of Geophysics
Prediction of the 2002 volcanic eruption
Mapping of the hazards (seismic and landslides) in the eastern DRC

13. Goals for the future
Host the biodiversity database for the entire eastern DR Congo
Produce complete lists of the species for different taxa
Capacity building for biodiversity (this is ongoing with intern students)
Lead the process for biodiversity databases for the country (teams work in isolation)
Sensitization of local peoples and opinion leaders (governments) on research results for future actions

14. What challenges do we face?
Lack of funds from government
Many collaborations have closed
No capacity building policy from government
No synergy with other agencies working for research
Infrastructure
Need to upgrade some facilities
Need for rehabilitations  with recurrent earthquakes, some parts of complex need attention

15. Collaborations Past Current ICCN/ WCS/ WWF ICCN/ WCS/ WWF
CEMUBAC Kyoto University
Kyoto University University of Wisconsin
University of Tohoku IITA
Field Museum/ Chicago ARCOS
University of Barcelona

16. Thank you for your attention