The documentary Seeds of Science, filmed in Kenya and Trieste, tells the story of four researchers working in Kenya – with TWAS support – to achieve their highest ambitions by helping to provide food and clean water for people there.

The documentary premiered in the fall of 2013 at the TriesteNext science festival in Trieste, Italy, and a few days later at the TWAS 24th General Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Now it is available on YouTube, both in English and in Italian.

Trieste filmmaker Nicole Leghissa produced the documentary, with support from RAI-TV Friuli Venezia Giulia and TWAS. It was broadcast twice last fall on RAI, and screened in February at OrvietoScienza2014. Excerpts were shown this month to high-level science and diplomatic leaders who gathered in Rome for Africa-Italy Day 2014, organized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Seeds of Science focuses on TWAS Prize winners Zeyaur Khan and Segenet Kelemu; PhD fellowship winner Vitalis Wafula Wekesa; and research grant awardee Peterson Guto. They describe how they are transforming agriculture and farm productivity and developing ways to provide clean water to residents both in the Kenyan countryside and in the capital city of Nairobi.

The four stories portray the enthusiasm of the scientists for their investigations, despite frequent obstacles and financial constraints. But they also confirm the famous motto, "where there is a will there is a way".

A key message that emerges from the video is the importance of having scientists connected through networks, and the role that high-level education plays in building a new and more prosperous society.

The film also focuses on how the scientists' work is enabled by TWAS's small but committed staff in Trieste. Academy treasurer Mohamed H.A. Hassan, who served 26 years as executive director, describes the early days of the Academy founded by Pakistani physicist Abdus Salam. Current executive director Romain Murenzi highlights how TWAS can, indeed must, be the natural link between the South and the North, supporting education and research that advance science and human prosperity across the globe.

You can also view the Italian version, Seminando Scienza.