11-14 November 2008 ChemSec co-organized an "NGO Skillshare on Heavy Metals" together with environmental organisation AGENDA in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The workshop gathered a total of 40 participants from 14 countries, among these Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Indonesia, The Philippines and the US. During the workshop participants shared knowledge on the environmental and health effects of the heavy metals mercury, lead and cadmium.

Furthermore measures for control and regulation of heavy metals were discussed, as well as experiences from NGO projects and campaigns. Most importantly new NGO strategies were discussed and new partnerships were formed. The NGOs attending the workshop also developed and signed a statement on mercury, and other heavy metals of concern. In the statement NGOs are urging the UNEP Governing Council, meeting in Nairobi 16-20 February 2009, to adopt the Global Mercury Policy Framework and set up a binding instrument for the global control of mercury

Civil society statement on mercury and other heavy metals of concern