Aleppo, Syria
March 22, 2007
We are pleased to announce the
Regional Training Programme on Plant genetic resources and
seeds: policies, conservation and use in Ethiopia, from 17
September – 12 October 2007
The training programme is organized by
Wageningen International and
the Centre for Genetic
Resources, the Netherlands, in cooperation with the
International Center for
Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA),
Bioversity
International and the
Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research.
The Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region is the
centre of genetic diversity for some of the world’s major food
crops. However, this valuable diversity is threatened by genetic
erosion. Local landraces are being replaced by ‘improved’
varieties; population pressure, urbanization and environmental
degradation caused by frequent droughts, overgrazing and
desertification contribute to this process. The informal system,
an indigenous, knowledge-based, farmer- managed crop production
system, remains the main source of genetic resources and seeds
for small-scale farmers. International conventions such as CBD,
IT-PGRFA, and TRIPS are calling for concerted effort in the
conservation of the unique biodiversity of this region and for
new policy and regulatory regimes in germplasm exchange and use.
Four two-week courses of the training programme address four
areas in the conservation and use of plant genetic resources and
seeds:
1. Market and chain development for genetic resources and seeds:
17 – 28 September 2007
2. Participatory approaches in genetic resource management and
plant breeding: 17 – 28 September 2007
3. Conservation strategies and plant genetic resources policies:
1 – 12 October 2007
4. Design of plant breeding programmes addressing drought: 1 –
12 October 2007
More information on the training programme can be found here:
-
http://www.cdic.wur.nl/UK/newsagenda/agenda/Plant_genetic_resources_and_seeds.htm
- Workshop brochure in PDF format: click
HERE
- Application form: click
HERE
- Enroll online: click
HERE
The programme is organized in such a way that a two-week course
can be regarded as an independent and comprehensive training.
Alternatively, based on professional interests and institutional
needs, participants can combine two courses into a programme.
Fellowships are available from the Netherlands Fellowship
Programme (NFP) for nationals of: Afghanistan, Autonomous
Palestinian Territories, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
India (only arid and semi-arid areas), Iran, Jordan, Kenya,
Mali, Nigeria (North semi-dry only), Pakistan (only
arid/semi-arid areas), Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen and
Zimbabwe. Fellowships are only available for a four-week
programme.
Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted to
Wageningen International before June 1, 2007. Acceptable
candidates will receive a letter from Wageningen International
indicating that they have been PROVISIONALLY accepted. With this
letter, candidates can then apply for a NFP fellowship through
the Netherlands Embassy or Consulate in their own country. The
deadline for NFP fellowship application is the July 1; please
note that your application has to be received by your Embassy
before this date.
The admission deadline for application directly to Wageningen
International, with funding other than an NFP fellowship, is 4
weeks before the start of the training. Please complete the
attached application form and submit your application to:
training.wi@wur.nl
Women are especially encouraged to submit their application.
We would very much appreciate your assistance in forwarding this
information to other colleagues within your organization and
network who you think may be interested in this training
opportunity.
Kind regards,
Zewdie Bishaw, PhD
Head, Seed Unit, ICARDA
P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Tel: +963-21-2213433
Fax: +963-21-2213490
E-mail: z.bishaw@cgiar.org
Website:
http://icarda.cgiar.org |
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