Le Secrétariat du Traité international sur les ressources phytogénétiques pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture a le plaisir d'annoncer le lancement du cours de formation «Approches contemporaines de conservation et utilisation des ressources génétiques», organisé par l'Université de Wageningen du 15 Avril au 3 Mai 2013.

This lesson is part of “Educational Module 2 – Conservation and Sustainable Use under the International Treaty”. It illustrates a range of options for the implementation of articles 5 and 6 of the International Treaty, presenting concrete activities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of crop genetic resources. The lesson takes the learner to the fictitious country of Develania where a number of Develanian stakeholders, including a gene bank manager, a plant breeder, a chairman of a farmers’ association and a chef, guide the learner through their respective activities.

This lesson is part of “Educational Module 2 – Conservation and Sustainable Use under the International Treaty”. It explains the measures to promote conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA as contained in the provisions of articles 5 and 6 of the International Treaty in detail. It indicates for each measure the corresponding priority activity areas of the Second Global Plan of Action where detailed policy recommendations can be found. The lesson is further illustrated with examples of projects supported by the Benefit-sharing Fund that focus on on-farm management and sustainable use.

This is the second in a comprehensive series of educational modules on the International Treaty. Highlighting the importance of crop diversity for food security, it examines the provisions of the International Treaty dealing with conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity in detail and presents examples for their implementation. The lessons of Educational Module 2 provide technical aspects for learners with more of a political background in agriculture, and illustrate the legal framework of the International Treaty to learners that have more of a research and scientific background related to PGRFA. “Conservation and Sustainable Use under the International Treaty” has been produced under the coordination of the Secretariat through a participatory process involving international experts and stakeholders from all regions.