CIRDAP in collaboration with Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Government of the Philippines (GOP) are organizing the International Policy Dialogue on Inclusive Innovations for Development Impacts with the theme “Defining Opportunities and Pathways for   Regional Collaborative Partnership on Integrated Rural Development”, on 24-26 September 2019 at Manila, Philippines.

The CIRDAP Secretariat and DAR are going to organize the forum in Manila to provide a groundbreaking initiative for experience sharing among the CMCs, where the issue will be addressed that what role the government, private sector, research and academe community, and the primary stakeholders/beneficiaries can play in adopting and scaling up innovations that can contribute towards promotion of sustainable IRD. 

 Through this productive discussion, the CIRDAP Secretariat and DAR hopes that strategic partnership between and among the CMCs can likewise be explored and pursued as a regional collaboration to pursue initiatives that promotes inclusive innovation in ARRD.   

The Policy expected to create a robust regional convergence and knowledge network that will facilitate experience sharing and pursue collaborative undertaking of strategic partnership between and among CMCs on innovative and sustainable rural development policies and program initiatives.  Specifically, the forum will enable the participants to: 

  • Gain appreciation and shared understanding of the various programs, projects and initiatives in CMCs that have introduced and adopted inclusive innovations that have impacted on agrarian, agriculture and rural development; 
  • Identify and discuss opportunities and challenges on inclusive innovations to further support sustainable development and achieve development impacts in the Agrarian, Agriculture and Natural Resources (AARN) sector in Asia and the Pacific region; 
  • Define shared vision, pathways, priorities and development themes which may serve as focus or reference for potential regional and across country strategic partnership; and
  • Express support in pursuing regional collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding among CMCs

The event will be capped with two relevant activities, namely: (1) the signing of Pledge or statement of commitment by all CMCs to express their interest and support in pursuing joint/collaborative programs; and (2) field visit to select ARBO projects in Nueva Ecija and/or Pampanga that showcase the support provided by the Philippine Government in partnership with the private sector and local government units in promoting innovation in farmers’ participation in agri-value chain. 

There will be plenary sessions to identify and take stock of actions of the CMCs on what and how inclusive innovations have contributed in promoting, supporting and achieving sustainable development.

Nominations are expected from senior officials (Secretary to Director Level) from relevant Ministries, Development partners and NGOs dealing with the theme.

Official nominations should be come with an official letter along with the passport copy and contact details of the nominees and sent to CIRDAP Focal Point of the respective countries and CC to training@cirdap.org by 14 September 2019.