Between April 29 and May 2, the first Humidtropics Capacity Development Workshop was organised by ILRI, Wageningen University and IITA in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop brought together R4D and Innovation Platform Facilitators, Action Area Coordinators and other key players of Humidtropics from all over the globe. The topics covered include different approaches to agricultural innovation, designing and implementing multi-stakeholder platforms, capturing knowledge and learning in platforms, and reflexive monitoring and evaluating of platforms.
The workshop’s interactive methods stimulated mutual sharing and reflection on knowledge and experiences. As one of the participants phrased it: “You could see that there was cross-learning going onâ€. Additionally, broadening of networks and gaining a better understanding of the terminology and the current state of Humidtropics were mentioned as important outcomes of the workshop. Overall there was high energy, motivation and involvement among the workshop participants and facilitators.
Capacity Development Workshop Participants.
“I am a natural scientist and this was my first introduction to social sciences; it has really been an eye-opener” – Endalkachew Wolde-Meskel (N2Africa Ethiopia).
The workshop design involved an online training needs assessment, a pre- and post-workshop quiz, and posters capturing the current state of the various platforms. An analysis of these will enable the organizers to refine materials and consider additional learning and training approaches for future workshops. Similar workshops are being planned for later in the year in Central America and the Caribbean as well as the Central Mekong Flagships.
Workshop Leader
Humidtropics introduces one of its key scientists: Dr. Iddo Dror, Co-Leader of Capacity Development, Humidtropics and Head of Capacity Development, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
Workshop Reflexions
Read Iddo’s reflexions of the effectiveness of traditional workshops here.
Workshop Presentations
See the workshop presentation of Dr. Iddo Dror and Zelalem Lema on Deciphering the DNA of Innovation Platforms. Additional presentations and posters are available on the following ILRI clippings webpage.