CIHEAM Bari has launched a new advanced specialised course on “Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities”, funded by the Italian Cooperation, and realized in collaboration with FAO in the context of the Blue Hope Initiative.
FAO conceived the initiative called Blue Hope, launched in 2013, with the aim to develop sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and related aquatic sectors for maximizing social and economic benefits and minimizing environmental degradation, threats and stressors. In the Mediterranean area, in the sub-Saharan Africa and in the Indian sub-continent these factors are particularly serious, exacerbated by poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods and political instability.
In this framework, the main aims of the course were to strengthen stakeholders’ capacities and develop and implement integrated management policies, strategies and tools, focusing especially on stakeholders’ empowerment, offering a comprehensive view of the Blue Economy explored through a cross-sectoral approach.
Fishery, aquaculture and sustainable coastal development were the major areas developed in the course, focusing in particular on management, technical and legal aspects and taking into account administrative issues.
This course was designed to assist ministerial officials from Mediterranean and Indian Ocean countries, who are directly involved in the planning of coastal uses.
The course participants were trained on:
Develop their knowledge of the main innovations and management models for improving the seafood value chain, managing the environmental threats and increasing the competitiveness of the fisheries, aquaculture and coastal and maritime tourism sectors.
The first part of the course took place at CIHEAM BARI institute. After one week participants were transferred to Tricase Porto (Le), at the MARE outpost, where the activities were carried out.
The course involved experts from national and international contexts, including universities, international organizations, research agencies, public and private operators.
The training period was organized in weekly units (6 days for each one) for a total duration of 10 weeks. The classes included frontal lectures and interactive activities integrated with technical trips and discussion sessions with private stakeholders.
The frontal lectures were held for 5 days per week (from Monday to Friday) and 6 hours per day. They were characterized by an interactive approach strongly stimulated by lectures, and based on the integration of theoretical knowledge with the analysis of case-studies and good practices, as well as promoting team working among trainees for sharing issues and solutions, and encourage future collaborations.
The last day of each weekly unit (Saturdays) was dedicated to technical visit, field-work, meetings and seminars with private stakeholders. They were carried out in collaboration with several lecturers, in order to better support the participants in the understanding of critical issues related the case study and the practical solutions provided.
The course was addressed to officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Fishery of Mediterranean region and IORA countries. The selection procedure was based on the analysis of curriculum profile and motivation, to ensure that the learning outcomes were successfully achieved.
Participants were nominated by the competent Ministries in which they are employed, who authorized the re-selected candidates to apply for this course through the online application platform on the CIHEAM Bari website. After the selection by CIHEAM Bari commission, through the evaluation of documents and personal interview (Skype call), 1 or 2 participants per country were chosen.
The 14 final participants have benefited of full scholarships covering all course expenses (travel, board and lodging, insurance, pocket money).
Participants must have a good working knowledge of English.
Head of the Office
Olimpia Antonelli
+39 080 4606281
o.antonelli@iamb.it
