Poor communities must be involved in debates about whether nanotechnologies can contribute to social and economic development, said delegates at a series of meetings in Zimbabwe this month, says a report at SciDevNet:

The last of the three 'nano-dialogues' - attended by Zimbabwean scientists and representatives of local communities - took place on 22 July in Harare.

The meetings focused on how nanotechnology could be used to solve Zimbabwe's water problems. Among other things, participants discussed a recent trial in South Africa of a nanotechnology-based filter for decontaminating drinking water. (photo SciDevNet)