Reviewing plant genetic resources education in East and Southeast Asia: Proceedings of an International workshop, University of Tsukuba, Japan, 17 -19 November 2009

Several universities in East and Southeast Asia established Master’s programmes on plant genetic resources (PGR) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, new policy instruments such as International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture have entered into force. Research on conservation and use of agrobiodiversity, underutilizes species, food-based approaches to nutrition and the links between climate change and agrobiodiversity has generated a new body of knowledge. Hence the need to update the region’s PGR education courses and programmes. The 2nd regional workshop on Reviewing plant genetic resources (PGR) education in East and Southeast Asia was held at Tsukuba University, Japan, on 17-19 November 2009. The objectives were to review universities’ experiences of teaching the subject, and to develop a shared understanding of the way forward. This report gives an update on the status of PGR and agrobiodiversity education in the region. An agreed Action Plan for strengthening such education covers course enhancement, degree enhancement, short courses, networking, and awareness.