The Center for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics of the University of Hohenheim announces the International DAAD - Alumni seminar „Organic farming – the silver bullet for boosting development and sustainability?” held from February 02, 2015 (arrival date) to February 10, 2015 in Stuttgart Hohenheim, Germany followed by the participation in the “BIOFACH” World Organic Trade Fair, February 11 to 13, 2015
in Nuremberg, Germany.
The programme is organised and hosted by the Center for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics of the University of Hohenheim with financial support by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The seminar is targeting German university alumni from developing countries (according to DAC-list) who are working in research, academic or educational institutions, NGOs, the public sector, development organisations or private enterprises and who are professionally involved in the fields of organic agriculture, poverty alleviation, social and ecological sustainability, biodiversity, resource management, food systems, agricultural extension, quality management, processing and trade.
The participants are seen as potential multipliers for the knowledge gained during the seminar and thus should be in a position to disseminate the information and/or to take decisions on implementation.
The seminar will facilitate the exchange between the participants in the fields mentioned above and aims at
strengthening the network among professionals in North and South and at promoting international scientific cooperation, joint research, and knowledge transfer.
The Center for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics of the University of Hohenheim announces the International DAAD - Alumni seminar „Organic farming – the silver bullet for boosting development and sustainability?” held from February 02, 2015 (arrival date) to February 10, 2015 in Stuttgart Hohenheim, Germany followed by the participation in the “BIOFACH” World Organic Trade Fair, February 11 to 13, 2015
in Nuremberg, Germany.
The programme is organised and hosted by the Center for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics of the University of Hohenheim with financial support by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The seminar is targeting German university alumni from developing countries (according to DAC-list) who are working in research, academic or educational institutions, NGOs, the public sector, development organisations or private enterprises and who are professionally involved in the fields of organic agriculture, poverty alleviation, social and ecological sustainability, biodiversity, resource management, food systems, agricultural extension, quality management, processing and trade.
The participants are seen as potential multipliers for the knowledge gained during the seminar and thus should be in a position to disseminate the information and/or to take decisions on implementation.
The seminar will facilitate the exchange between the participants in the fields mentioned above and aims at
strengthening the network among professionals in North and South and at promoting international scientific cooperation, joint research, and knowledge transfer.
We will address four thematic blocks:
- The concept of “organic agriculture” and the role of agricultural extension
- Trade and certification (the role of associations and extension services; quality standards, quality control, impact on poverty alleviation and sustainability)
- Market trends in the agricultural sector – impact on smallholder production and sustainability in developing countries
- Strategies for the promotion of organic agriculture in developing countries
The content of the seminar will provide insights into current research activities of Hohenheim related to organic agriculture, sustainable management of natural resources, sustainable diets, governance aspects and agricultural extension in the fault line between the use and conservation of natural resources and food security.
The encounter with international students of the master programme “ Organic Agriculture and Food Systems” offers a platform for young scientists and experienced professionals to discuss and jointly assess case studies of sustainable agricultural practices.
The contribution but also the challenges of organic farming towards poverty alleviation, diversity and sustainability will be discussed as well as the specific role of agricultural extension. Standards, certification and quality control will be dealt with by representatives of associations and certification organisations.
The program comprises lectures, presentations, discussions, workshops and excursions to organic production sites.
At the beginning, we want to jointly share and exchange our experiences focusing on challenges and opportunities that can be derived from organic agriculture and its impact on various aspects of diversity.
This will lead us to the identification of particular challenges in the different countries and the derivation of specific subjects that shall be further worked with during the seminar.
A significant part of the programme will be enriched by the participants themselves when presenting case studies and best practices from their home countries and identifying strategies for the promotion of organic
farming as well as future joint research opportunities.
Participants
- Eligible for participation are persons who meet the following requirements:
- Resident of a developing country (according to DAC-list)
- German university alumnus/alumna. A stay in Germany of at least 3 months for study, scientific research or business purposes has to be proven
- Preferably first time attendant of a DAAD Alumni school
Candidates preferably are:
- Working in the field of organic agriculture, food security, poverty alleviation, social and ecological sustainability, biodiversity, resource management, food systems, agricultural extension, quality management, processing and trade.
- Scientists or professionals interested in multiplying and disseminating the acquired knowledge in his/her home country.
- Postgraduate level.
Additional information can also be obtained from the DAAD homepage: www.daad.de/alumni-special-projects
Application
Send your application(in english) until November 21, 2014 by e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contact
The organisation team
Margit Völmle/Juzha Zillich /Dr. Barbara Ramsperger
Tropenzentrum (790), Universität Hohenheim
Garbenstrasse 13, 70599 Stuttgart
Fax: +49 (0)711 459 23315
Phone: +49 (0)711 459 23543
E-Mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.troz.de