International Germany Alumni Seminar Green Week 2022

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Call for application  

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ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

On behalf of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the University of Kassel and DITSL Witzenhausen organise the

International Germany Alumni Training Seminar:

Strategies of ecological intensification for the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems in the global south

12 - 17 September 2023 in Witzenhausen, Germany

followed by the

Participation in the Tropentag 2023
development oriented and interdisciplinary conference

18 - 23 September 2023 in Berlin, Germany

 

 

development oriented and interdisciplinary conference

 

I18 - 23 September 2023 in Berlin, Germany
The seminar addresses the conservation of agricultural biodiversity in the context of economically and ecologically resilient agricultural systems adapted to climate change and food security. The global community needs to intensify the global fight against hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in the coming years if it still wants to achieve the goals set by 2030. Among the most important factors exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition are poverty, climate extremes and the progressing loss of biodiversity. Diverse smallholder agriculture and family farming are the backbone of regional food security in many developing countries worldwide. There is increasing scientific evidence for a positive relationship between the diversity and the productivity and stability of farming systems. The seminar will particularly focus on farming systems based on methods of agroecological intensification and adapted diversification as the chosen strategy to achieve stable production growth and thus food security and sovereignty in the Global South. It will discuss the relationship between agroecosystem-diversity and their productivity, their resilience to variability and external shocks, and the variety of other tangible and intangible ecosystem services they provide (e.g. pest and disease resistance, soil fertility, water storage capacity, pollination). During the seminar, we will discuss possibilities to assess the value of this so-called functional biodiversity. The principles of organic agriculture and its role in enhancing biodiversity and food security will be discussed in more detail.
As we are dealing predominantly with smallholder family farming systems, we will regard them as human activity systems and take a transdisciplinary approach to their analysis. Integrated into the program is therefore a module on social innovations and transdisciplinary and actor-oriented research methods. These serve to identify system-specific innovation and change opportunities, and to consider different knowledge and value systems of different actors and stakeholders. We will set our system boundary beyond the production of food and agricultural commodities and regard agricultural systems together with their associated supply chains (how do commodities reach the consumer) / value chains (how is the value addition distributed along the chain). The strengthening and further development of local agri-food systems and their importance for a diverse and cost-effective food supply, for employment and income in rural areas will be addressed in a workshop on marketing of agricultural products, which also includes excursion on direct marketing and processing. Further field trips and expert inputs will highlight innovative methods of regenerative and agroecological approaches to land use.
The seminar will promote exchange between the participants, facilitate international scientific cooperation and qualify the participants in the field of ecological intensification of agri-food systems. It will stimulate and promote ideas for joint research, strategy development and knowledge transfer. The program in Witzenhausen will include presentations by the participating Alumni, inputs and case studies by invited experts, workshops, group work, discussions, demonstrations and field trials at the Department of Agricultural Engineering in Witzenhausen, as well as excursions and cultural events. The final program will be published once all applications have been reviewed. It is compulsory for participants to attend the entire program: seminar, conference, social events.
The seminar and participation in the Tropentag 2023 are offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the framework of the program SDG Alumni Projects (https://www.daad.de/en/alumni/funding-programmes-for-alumni/sdg-alumni-projects/). This SDG Alumni Project is organized and hosted by the Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel (Prof. Dr. Oliver Hensel, www.uni-kassel.de/fb11agrar) and DITSL Witzenhausen (www.ditsl.org). The costs will be mainly covered by funds from the DAAD provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The seminar is scheduled in the run-up to the Tropentag 2023 Berlin. Tropentag is an annual development oriented and interdisciplinary international conference on resource management, environment, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food, nutrition and related sciences in the context of rural development, sustainable resource use and poverty alleviation worldwide (https://www.tropentag.de/). The Tropentag conferences are organized jointly by the universities of Berlin, Bonn, Göttingen, Hohenheim, Kassel, Prague, Ghent and Vienna (Austria), and the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Research (ATSAF e.V) in co-operation with the the German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture DITSL. In 2023 the thematic focus will be on competing pathways for equitable food systems transformations.

 

 

Seminar topics and content

 

  •         Agricultural value chains in developing countries – reduction of losses (volume / quality / value) and opportunities for additional value creation

 

  •         Renewable energy and water provision appliances to reduce losses and add value in agriculture and food processing

 

  •         International and national standards for organic products and strategies for export market access

 

  •         Marketing of agricultural products including the role of business plan development

 

  •         Regional and international value chains and the role of certification and accreditation

 

 The seminar program in Witzenhausen will include: Sessions and workshops, presentations by the participating Alumni, inputs, and case studies by invited experts, group work and group discussions, demonstrations and field trials at the Department of Agricultural Engineering in Witzenhausen, excursions and cultural events.

 The final program in Kassel / Witzenhausen will be published once all applications have been reviewed. It is compulsory for participants to attend the entire program: seminar, trade fair, social events.

 

Eligibility criteria for participation

 

This seminar targets Alumni of German universities who

 •    are citizens of countries listed on the OECD DAC list (http://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/daclist.htm)
•    spent at least 3 months in Germany on professional errands (study, training, teaching, research)
•    currently live and work in their home countries.

 

  •         who spent at least 3 months in Germany on professional errands (study, training, teaching, research)

 

  •          who currently live and work in their home countries

 

You should have

 (1)   a proven background in academic fields relevant to the topics of agriculture and quality management of agricultural value chains

 (2)   professional experience and personal interest in one of the following areas: research, education, NGOs, government agencies, policy making, project development, local communities, and related stakeholders

 (3)   the requirements to act as a potential multiplier who will present the seminar results in your home country and thus disseminate the acquired knowledge as well as develop ideas and projects for regional implementation

 (4)   adequate English language proficiency to actively participate in the workshops and discussions

 

 Eligibility for repeated attendances at Alumni Special Projects:

 Alumni are eligible to participate in up to two DAAD Alumni Special Projects within four years. The year of participation, not the year of application, is decisive for the calculation (this rule does not apply for attendance in a digital Alumni Special Project).

 

Cost coverage

 

  •         International return ticket to Frankfurt and from Frankfurt/Berlin (lowest possible economy class airfare – regional ceiling prices: Latin-America 1.000€, Sub-Sahara Africa 800€, Middle East and North Africa 700€, South-East Asia 900€, Asia other countries 800€)

 

  •         Train tickets (2nd class): Airport to Witzenhausen – preferably Rail & Fly

 

  •          Travel health insurance (max. 30 Euro)

 

  •         Visa costs

 

  •          Accommodation and a contribution to the living expenses (half-board) during the seminar stay in Witzenhausen.

 

  •         Transport on excursions

 

  •        Transport from Witzenhausen to Berlin

 

  •         Accommodation and a contribution to the living expenses during the stay in Berlin

 

  •         Entrance fees at the trade fair in Berlin

 

  •         Transport from the hotel in Berlin to the departure airport

 

Please note: Any other than the above costs must be covered by yourself. This includes particularly:

 

  •        Transport between your place of residence and “your” airport

 

  •         Travel costs associated with your visa application in your country of residence

 

  •          Personal living expenses exceeding the provisions by the program (half-board) in Witzenhausen and Berlin

 

  •         Local transport in Germany for private errands not associated with the seminar

 

Extensions of stays before the seminar / after International Green Week in Berlin are possible only up to 5 working days and upon submission of a comparison of flight ticket prices before you start organizing / booking your trip. Any additional cost incurred by deviating from the official arrival / return date (see below) must be borne by yourself. This applies to the airfare and to additional further travel-, subsistence-, and other costs that may arise from an extension.

 
In exceptional cases, extensions beyond 5 days may be granted by DAAD, but only if they serve an official purpose, e.g. professional visits to universities, organizations, institutions, companies etc. Such extensions must be applied for well in advance and must be approved by DAAD before you start your travel. Applications must be substantiated by official invitations, agreed work plans and schedules of visits by the respective organisations that you wish to visit. Please communicate well in advance – possibly already with your application for this Alumni Special Project – should you plan an extension of your stay. For any extension you need to organize your accommodation by yourself, and, very importantly, you must make sure to have a valid health insurance for the extension days.

 Travel dates:

13

January 2022

Arrival in Witzenhausen

14 - 19

January 2022

Seminar in Witzenhausen

20

January 2022

Travel from Witzenhausen to Berlin

21 - 24

January 2022

Participation in the trade fair International Green Week in Berlin

25

January 2022

Departure from Berlin

 

It is essential that you participate from the first day of the seminar in Witzenhausen to the last day of the trade fair International Green Week in Berlin.

Application procedure

 

Your application (in English language) must include the following documents in one single pdf file:

 

 

  •           a short CV with photograph and relevant documentation of Alumni status

 

·         an abstract on the subject of either “Sustainable International Agricultural Value-Chains” or “Meeting Quality Challenges in International Agri-Value Chains” with reference to the participants' home country and self-involvement in the field of agriculture and/or agricultural value chains (the main topics are listed above; abstracts must not exceed one page; please use font type “Arial”, font size 11, 1.5 line spacing)

 ·         a short description of your present duties / position and your personal professional goals, indicating your envisaged field of activities and duty level

 ·         an overview on seminars, workshops or conferences visited in Germany after finishing your studies in Germany

 You should emphasize your motivation and personal / professional benefit of your participation in the application form. Please illustrate how you are planning to imply the gained knowledge and which possible stakeholders for collaboration you may identify for your professional career.

  

The document should be named ‘Last name_First name_country’

 

(e.g. Anne_Siegmeier_Germany).

Please send your application, as one single pdf file, latest by 29 August 2021 via email to: Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!

Please note: Completeness of personal data mentioned in the online application form will affect your eligibility as a participant

After the review by the local organizing committee and DAAD, the invited participants will be notified in end-September 2021 at the latest.

 

Special note

Given the world-wide pandemia and the current status of uncertainty of its development, DAAD will decide in due course to replace the event by an online version. This will imply modifications of the program which will be announced to participants.

For further questions, please contact Anne Siegmeier (Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!).

 

Witzenhausen, July 2021

 

DAAD Alumni Seminar - BIOFACH 2021

 

Call for Application

(» download pdf)

 ANNOUNCEMENT / CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

 On behalf of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) the University of Kassel and DITSL Witzenhausen organize the

 International Germany Alumni Seminar 2021:

Organic agriculture in developing countries – quality management along organic agricultural value chains: Production, post-harvest technology, processing, marketing and trade

 10 - 15 February 2021 in Witzenhausen, Germany

 followed by the

 Participation in the BIOFACH 2021

the world´s leading trade fair for organic food

 17 - 20 February 2021 in Nuremberg, Germany

 

Seminar aims

The global market for organic products has been growing continuously for many years, and the demand for healthy, sustainably produced food is increasing, particularly in urban areas worldwide. This creates income opportunities, and offers potential for both, creating local organic value chains and accessing the international export market. But organic is more than a market opportunity, more than a label or certification. Organic stands for unique process quality and the responsible use of nature’s resources.

In fragile agro-ecosystems, organic farming can offer a range of environmental services, such as improved soil fertility, biodiversity, and water cycles. It is successfully being integrated with nature conservation efforts for the mutual benefit of the environment and peoples’ nutrition and health. Organic agriculture has shown a potential to reduce the risk of yield failure, stabilize returns and improve livelihoods and food security, especially in the light of global climate change, thus rendering agricultural systems ecologically and economically more resilient. In addition, organic farming has been shown to create more jobs, with less exposure to hazards, and is frequently also associated with social inclusion.

The high potential of organic farming and food systems face numerous challenges in developing countries when seeking successful access to high value markets. Particularly in remote rural areas with less developed infrastructure, transport and the decentralized provision of clean water and energy to ensure high product quality and reduce losses are often difficult to achieve. In addition, knowledge about local and international certification and quality standards for agricultural products is critical for successful market access.

The seminar will promote exchange between the participants in the field of organic agriculture and value chains, facilitate international scientific cooperation and qualify the participants in the field of quality management along organic agricultural-value chains. The seminar will foster exchange of experiences, establishment of international networks between the participants, scientific discourse on organic agricultural-value chains and international academic cooperation in this field. It will stimulate and promote ideas for joint research, strategy development and knowledge transfer.

The seminar and trade fair participation are offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the framework of the program Alumni Special Projects (www.daad.de/alumni-special-projects).The International Germany Alumni Seminar is organized and hosted by the Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel (Prof. Dr. Oliver Hensel, www.uni-kassel.de/fb11agrar) and DITSL Witzenhausen (www.ditsl.org). The costs will be mainly covered by funds from the DAAD provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The seminar is scheduled in the run-up to the BIOFACH 2021 (www.biofach.de/en ) in Nuremberg, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food. In 2020 over 3,700 exhibitors and 50,000 trade visitors from 136 countries came together to share their passionate interest in organic food, get to know each other and exchange views. As a participating professional you can meet organic producers from the international organic market and source information on recent developments in the organic sector. Successful networking is guaranteed thanks to the multiple experts present.

Seminar topics

  • Principles of organic agriculture
  • Quality of organic products – quality management systems, quality assessment and food safety standards
  • Agricultural value chains in developing countries – reduction of losses (volume / quality / value) and opportunities for additional value creation
  • International and national standards for organic products and strategies for export market access
  • Marketing of organic products – regional and international value chains and the role of certification and accreditation
  • Business plan development

Tentative program

The seminar program in Witzenhausen will include:

  • Sessions and workshops
  • Presentations from the participating Alumn
  • Papers and case studies from invited experts
  • Group work activities and group discussions
  • Demonstrations and field trials at the Department of Agricultural Engineering in Witzenhausen
  • Solar appliances to reduce losses and

The final program in Kassel / Witzenhausen will be published once all applications have been reviewed. It is compulsory for participants to attend the entire programme: seminar, trade fair, social events.

Eligibility criteria for participation

This seminar targets Alumni of German universities

·       that are citizens of countries listed on the OECD DAC list (http://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/daclist.htm)

·       who spent at least 3 months in Germany on professional errands (study, training, teaching, research)

·       who currently live and work in their home countries

  You should have

(1)   a proven background in academic fields relevant to the topics of organic agriculture and quality management of organic agricultural value chains

(2)   professional experience and personal interest in one of the following areas: research, education, NGOs, government agencies, policy making, project development, local communities, and related stakeholders

(3)   the requirements to act as a potential multiplier who will present the seminar results in your home country and thus disseminate the acquired knowledge as well as develop ideas and projects for regional implementation

(4)   adequate language proficiency which is essential to actively participate in the workshops and discussions as the seminar will be held in English

 

Eligibility for repeated attendances at Alumni Special Projects:

Participations in Alumni Special Projects are limited to a maximum of 2 participations within 4 years. The year of participation, not the year of application, is decisive for the calculation.

Cost coverage

  •        International return ticket to Frankfurt and from Frankfurt (lowest possible economy class airfare)
  •       Train tickets (2nd class): Airport to Witzenhausen – preferably Rail & Fly
  •        Travel health insurance (max. 30 Euro)
  •        Visa costs
  •        Accommodation and partial living expenses (half-board) during the seminar stay in Witzenhausen
  •        Transport on excursions
  •         Transport from Witzenhausen to Nuremberg
  •         Accommodation and partial living expenses during the stay in Nuremberg
  •         Entrance fees at the trade fair in Nuremberg
  •        Transport from the hotel in Nuremberg to the departure airport

Please note: Any other than the above costs have to be covered by yourself. This includes particularly:

  •        Transport between your place of residence and “your” airport
  •        Travel costs associated with your visa application in your country of residence
  •        Personal living expenses exceeding the provisions by the program (half-board) in Witzenhausen and Nuremberg
  • ·      Local transport in Germany for private errands not associated with the seminar

Extensions of stays before the seminar / after BIOFACH in Nuremberg are only possible up to 5 working days and upon submission of a comparison of flight ticket prices before you start your travel. You will have to pay any difference between the flight ticket prices for the official arrival / return date (see below) and your actual date of travel before / after your extension. You must also cover by yourself any additional travel costs, subsistence costs and other additional costs of your extension.

Extensions beyond 5 days must be of an official nature which you need to justify, e.g. through visits to universities, organizations, institutions, companies etc. and with details about contact persons and a day-to-day programme of activities. These extensions must be approved by DAAD before you start your travel. Decisions by DAAD are made individually based upon your justification, your programme etc.

For any extension you need to organize your accommodation by yourself, and, very importantly, you have to make sure to have a valid health insurance for the extension days.

Travel dates:

9

February 2021

Arrival in Witzenhausen

10 - 15

February 2021

Seminar in Witzenhausen

16

February 2021

Travel from Witzenhausen to Nuremberg

17 - 20

February 2021

Participation in the trade fair BIOFACH in Nuremberg

21

February 2021

Departure from Nuremberg

 

It is essential that you participate from the first day of the seminar in Witzenhausen to the last day of the trade fair BIOFACH in Nuremberg.

Application procedure

Your application (in English language) must include the following documents in one single pdf file:   

  • a filled out application form
  • a short CV with photograph and relevant documentation of alumni status
  • an abstract on “Organic Agriculture in Developing Countries” with reference to the participants' home country and self involvement in the field of organic agriculture and/or organic agricultural value chains (the main topics are listed above; abstracts must not exceed one page; please use font type “Arial”, font size 11, 1.5 line spacing)
  • a short description of your present duties / position and your personal professional goals, indicating your envisaged field of activities and duty level
  • an overview on seminars, workshops or conferences visited in Germany after finishing your studies in Germany

The PDF-document should be named ‘Last name_First name_country’

(e.g. Anne_Siegmeier_Germany).

Please send your application, as one single pdf file, latest by 27 September 2020 via email to: Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!

Please note: Completeness of personal data mentioned in the online application form will affect your eligibility as a participant.

After the review by the local organizing committee and DAAD, the invited participants will be notified in end-October 2020 at the latest.

The seminar will only take place if COVID-19 restrictions allow international travel without prescribed quarantine and only if the BIOFACH 2021 will take place as scheduled.

For further questions, please contact Anne Siegmeier (Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!).

Witzenhausen, August 2020

Call for application

application form

Further links:

 - Biofach

 - German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

 - Department of Agricultural Engineering University of Kassel

 

 

Archiv durchgeführter Trainings

2016

  • Organic agriculture in developing countries – Quality management along organic agri-value chains in developing countries – production, post-harvest technology, processing, marketing and trade. Organized and hosted by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

2015

  • Enhancing food and income security along agricultural commodity chains. Organized and hosted by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL in close cooperation with the University of Göttingen, Department of Crop Sciences. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Quality management along organic agri-value chains in developing countries. Organized and hosted by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Applied Solar Technology in Developing Countries. Organized and hosted by: Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics at the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Certification and Accreditation of Organically Produced Agricultural Commodities. Organized and hosted by DITSL in cooperation with the faculty of Organic Agricultural sciences of the University of Kassel.

2014

  • Quality management along organic agri-value chains in developing countries. Organized and hosted by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Certification and Accreditation of Organically Produced Agricultural Commodities. Organized and hosted by DITSL in cooperation with the faculty of Organic Agricultural sciences of the University of Kassel.

2013

  • Agricultural Technology and Engineering in Developing Countries. Organized by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Certification and Accreditation of Organically Produced Agricultural Commodities. Organized and hosted by DITSL in cooperation with the faculty of Organic Agricultural sciences of the University of Kassel.
  • "GrassNet" Workshop: Climate‐resilient rangeland development: understanding the barriers embedded in methodologies.Organised and hosted by DITSL. Funded by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

2012

  • Applied Solar Technology in Developing Countries. Organized by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Certification and Accreditation of Organically Produced Agricultural Commodities. Organized and hosted by DITSL in cooperation with the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel.
  • Summer School “GrassNet”: Modeling approaches to support grassland management. Organised and hosted by DITSL. Funded by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

2011

  • Applied Solar Technology in Developing Countries. May 31st – June 08th, 2010. Organized by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Certification and Accreditation of Organically Produced Agricultural Commodities. Organized and hosted by DITSL in cooperation with the faculty of Organic Agricultural sciences of the University of Kassel.
  • Summer School “GrassNet”: Livelihoods from Grassland systems: Concepts and methods to increase adaptive capacity of land users to changing conditions. Organised and hosted by DITSL. Funded by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

2010

  • Applied Solar Technology in Developing Countries. May 31st – June 08th, 2010. Organized by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Agricultural Technology and Engineering in Developing Countries. Organized by: Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel and DITSL. Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Certification and Accreditation of Organically Produced Agricultural Commodities. Organized and hosted by DITSL in cooperation with the faculty of Organic Agricultural sciences of the University of Kassel.
  • Grantees Meeting within the Africa Initiative (Volkswagen Foundation). Organised and hosted by DITSL. Funded by VolkswagenFoundation.

 

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