GCARD – Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development
From March 28, 2010 to March 31, 2010
Montpellier will host the first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) in March 2010. This conference, which will be held every two years, is meant to be the apex of a broad multi stakeholder's consultation. It aims at structuring program strategies for Agricultural Research for Development at the global level by mobilizing the main contributors of the International Agricultural Research System.
GCARD 2010 will be opened by a summit meeting of invited senior policy makers from governments, international agencies and key stakeholder organisations. They will examine the need and scale of investment in agricultural research and associated institutions required to increase the impact of new knowledge on key challenges for development, especially affecting the poor.
The following sessions will involve a cross-section of stakeholders from all sectors involved in agricultural research for development. They will include farmers, civil society organisations, service providers, input suppliers and market representatives, those directly concerned with research and subsequent impacts in the public and private sectors, and the funding bodies that support research and advisory processes.
GCARD 2010 programme :
28 March 2010 On Day 1, participants will look at investments, policies and changes needed to improve and better integrate global, regional and national systems of agricultural research, innovation and knowledge sharing.
29 March 2010 On Day 2, participants will look at priorities and strategies for development from consultations held in the different regions of the world
30 March 2010 On Day 3, participants will look at the tools and changes necessary for agricultural research systems to impact more effectively in development. Parallel sessions will discuss about new training, new scientists, new science, new partnerships.
31 March 2010 On Day 4, GCARD 2010 wraps up by pulling together solutions and ways forward, discussing a possible work plan for all concerned - farmers, civil society, policy makers, development agencies and researchers - to work together to achieve development goals.
