Viña del Mar, Chile, November 2 - 5, 2010
From November 2-5 2010 the First Intercontinental Meeting of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) was held in Viña del Mar, Chile, hosted by the Latin-American Centre for Rural Development (RIMISP) and supported by the African Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFAAS).
The meeting’s objectives were:
- Networking and learning among rural advisory stakeholders fostered.
- GFRAS long-term strategy framed and validated.
- Toolkit for evaluating extension systems and programs validated.
Overall the meeting was a great success (see evaluation results). Its was attended by almost 90 participants from more than 30 countries. According to the objectives, the long-term strategy of GFRAS was validated, an evaluation toolkit was discussed, and regional advisory services networks shared their experiences.
All presentations are available at http://www.rimisp.org/proyectos/index_proy.php?id_proyecto=261. In addition you can download:
The next intercontinental GFRAS meeting is scheduled for November 15 – 18, 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya, co-hosted by AFAAS, CTA, and the World Agroforestry Center.
New networks created
During the meeting, two new extension networks were initiated: The Latin America and Caribbean Extension Network, and the Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services Network. Sub-regional networks are being created in French Speaking West Africa and in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
GFRAS activities in 2010 identified
Meeting participants demanded to form GFRAS working groups on the following topics:
- defining the role of rural advisory services
- evaluation of extension
- education and capacity strengthening in advisory services.
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