Contemporary Approaches to Genetic Resources Conservation and Use

Genetic diversity is endangered by modern agriculture and globalisation. Modern production and marketing depends on genetically uniform varieties that deliver uniform food products. In addition, globalisation has resulted in a high uniformity of human diets. Do you want to be updated on state-of-the-art insights in various plant genetic resources management strategies and its relevant policies? The this course is of interest to you.

What will you learn?

This three-week course is build up in three blocks:

1. Plant genetic resources management strategies: current perspectives, concepts and strategies regarding the conservation and use of genetic resources;
2. Genetic resource policy and management strategies: international policy framework (i.e. on the history and contents of international agreements), in particular on the CBD, IT-PGRFA, the WTO-TRIPS and UPOV, and the new Nagoya Protocol;
3. Implementation of the International Treaty: issues such as the need for new or impact on existing national legislation, the relation to other international agreements, etc.

Course programme in more detail

Genetic diversity is endangered by modern agriculture and globalisation. Modern production and marketing depends on genetically uniform varieties that deliver uniform food products. In addition, globalisation has resulted in a high uniformity of human diets.

How to register:

For whom is this course?

This course is designed for mid-career professionals and policy makers in policy, research, education or development arenas. Participants may be employed by ministries, research institutes, universities, companies, NGOs or other organisations involved in plant genetic resources. The programme enhances participants’ capabilities to better understand current plant genetic resource management strategies and policies and to be able to apply and implement these strategies and policies.

Applicants should have at least an MSc or equivalent in training and experience. They should have at least three years of professional experience in a relevant field and be proficient in English.

To register, please visit the following link

The Application Procedure

1. Register for the course of your interest by clicking the ‘apply’ button on the webpage of this course. A registration form will open;
2. Fill in the required fields of the registration form. Please note to write your date of birth without a zero (e.g. 1-5-1980 instead of 01-05-1980);
3. Before you submit, check your details on the final page of the registration form;
4. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email. Make sure to directly click on the link in the email to confirm your registration. Without your confirmation, your registration cannot be processed;
5. If you apply as an OKP or MSP-scholarship candidate, you will receive a registration letter for the scholarship at the beginning of the scholarship cycle.
6. If you apply as a self-funded participant: we will forward your request for acceptance to the course leader. This can take some time as it depends on the coordinators' schedule (1-3 weeks);
7. If you’re accepted into the course programme, we’ll send you an admission letter by e-mail;
8. You receive all required travel documents from us after you are selected for the scholarship (OKP/MSP-scholarship candidates) or when we’ve received your payment (self-funded participant).

Courses are currently online

Our courses are currently online. Check the course details for more information about the online course format.