1 – Forum International Afrique et Beauté (FIAB):

Created in 2004 with my friend Patrice ANDRE (LMVH Recherche, then Botanicosm’éthic), the International Africa and Beauty Forum (FIAB) aims to bring together every 2 or 3 years, in Burkina Faso or elsewhere in Africa or in France, all the actors involved in the value chains of plants and traditions, in the fields of beauty, crafts, cosmetics…

It brings together knowledge holders, women’s groups, cultivators and other producers of raw materials and confronts them with university researchers, processors and end users (in particular cosmetics companies and active ingredient producers), all in the presence of the authorities (Nagoya Focal Point, Biodiversity Focal Point, representatives of the Ministries of the Environment and of Scientific Research).

From 2004 to 2017, I organised the forums with Patrice ANDRE and the various managers in the host countries, such as Togo and Morocco.

From 2019 onwards, the « Fédération International Afrique et Beauté » will organise the Forums, in particular the one in Saly (Senegal, 2022) and the one in France, which took place in Orléans in October 2024.

Previous editions of the FIAB have focused on the following themes:

• • Between Tradition and Modernity (2004, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso)
  • Plants, Beauty Professions and Sustainable Development in Africa (2008, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)
  • African Nature and Traditions in Cosmetics and Health/Wellness (2010, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)
  • Promoting Biodiversity, Beauty and Crafts: Towards a New Economy (2014, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)
  • Plants, Beauty, Sensibility and Spirituality: Reconciling Nature and Cultures (2017, Lomé, Togo)
  • Beauty and Innovation: Towards a Responsible Economy in Africa (2019, Essaouira, Morocco)
  • Beauty markets in Africa: between ecological transition, partnerships and innovation (Saly, Senegal, 2022)
  • Beauty careers in Africa (Orléans, France, 2024).

In addition to conferences and debates, the FIAB organises field visits to meet local producers or processors, and awards scholarships to Burkina Faso students at Master’s level, as well as local support (nursery, drilling, etc.) depending on the edition. There are also practical workshops (hairdressing, dyeing, etc.).

Following the 2019 Forum in Essaouira, Morocco, jointly organised by the Association Nature et Culture – Burkina and the Association Ibn Al Baytar of Morocco, the Fédération Internationale Afrique et Beauté was created to directly manage the new Forums (Saly, 2022, Orléans, 2024).

Fédération Internationale Afrique et Beauté

2 – Forum International des Arbres (International Tree Forum):

Co-created by Sama Bioconsult with friends from the association Des Horizons et Des Hommes and other passionate defenders of nature who want to seek a new path of development for humanity, with respect for trees and traditions. This forum aims to be « an oasis of meetings, bringing together the best specialists in the knowledge of trees, with a unique and diversified approach, combining economics, ecology, science and traditions around the tree ».

« Regular international meetings to learn about, protect and promote the organisms that sustain our lives. ».

Trees are inextricably linked to life on Earth and are our last chance in the face of a spiralling ecological and climate crisis. The conservation of forests, their restoration and the introduction of tree systems in agricultural areas will be one of the major global challenges of the coming years.

Paradoxically, deforestation is accelerating at a time when never before in human history have we been so aware of the importance of trees and forests, of their benefits for the climate, biodiversity and people’s health, both in towns and in the countryside.

Recent scientific discoveries about plant communication are surprisingly consistent with some of the traditional knowledge of so-called « First Peoples ». This convergence of science and tradition around trees and plants raises questions about how humanity has acquired knowledge. Trees and forests can inspire us. They hold solutions for the world of tomorrow.

The « Forums Internationaux Des Arbres » aim to create a ‘tree-human synergy’ that generates wealth in all areas: environmental, agricultural, social, cultural, economic, educational, health and spiritual.

« Where trees grow, life develops. »

« Let’s work together with trees and forests to find local solutions to global problems. Let’s draw inspiration from the forest to build the world of tomorrow. »

The 1st Forum was organised in May 2022 in Pont en Royans (France), the 2nd was held in Geneva in October 2023, and the last Forum was organised in Marrakech (Morocco) in April 2024. (www.arbressciencesettradition.org).