Presentation by Sean Gaule President of CEDIA

Overview Two Parts to Presentation: 1. CEDIA- Background and current developments. 2. The future for agronomists - Education and Training requirements.

CEDIA European Confederation of Agronomist Associations European Confederation of Agronomist Associations (Confederation Europeenne des Associations D’Ingenieurs Agronomes) (Confederation Europeenne des Associations D’Ingenieurs Agronomes) Founded in 1987 in Brussels as European committee of Agronomists Founded in 1987 in Brussels as European committee of Agronomists In Copenhagen in 1996 renamed to Cedia In Copenhagen in 1996 renamed to Cedia A non profit making Association A non profit making Association Has a written constitution and statutes Has a written constitution and statutes Registered in Belgium Registered in Belgium

Objectives To support the professional interests of its members. To support the professional interests of its members. To promote cooperation among member associations. To promote cooperation among member associations. To promote European integration. To promote European integration. To promote professional recognition and mobility. To promote professional recognition and mobility. To represent member Associations at EU and International Fora. To represent member Associations at EU and International Fora. To promote the study and development of agriculture and related sciences. To promote the study and development of agriculture and related sciences. To promote sustainable food security. To promote sustainable food security.

Membership Associations from eleven countries Associations from eleven countries Cyprus Cyprus Denmark (Nordic countries) Denmark (Nordic countries) France France Germany Germany Greece Greece Ireland/ N.Ireland Ireland/ N.Ireland Italy Italy Portugal Portugal Spain Spain Switzerland Switzerland Individual members represented: 100,000 approx Funding of Cedia Fees – related to Member Association numbers Board : Representatives of member associations

Activities Meetings and seminars Meetings and seminars Representational e.g. Agricultural Policy Issues Representational e.g. Agricultural Policy Issues Career /Job Services/ mobility of members Career /Job Services/ mobility of members Website ( Website ( Newsletter Newsletter CPD – continuous professional development CPD – continuous professional development Revision of Association Strategy and Business plan Revision of Association Strategy and Business plan Membership enlargement (Central and Eastern European Countries ) Membership enlargement (Central and Eastern European Countries )

The future for Agronomists A time of profound change in Agriculture Issues such as: A time of profound change in Agriculture Issues such as: International food supplies International food supplies World Population growth World Population growth Climate change Climate change Water Resources - supplies and management Water Resources - supplies and management Energy - alternative sustainable fuels Energy - alternative sustainable fuels Food v Fuel Food v Fuel World trade issues World trade issues CAP Policy CAP Policy Rural Development Rural Development

Policy Responses European Community and National Policies have recognised: The importance of Agriculture and natural resources in providing solutions to the above key issues. The importance of Agriculture and natural resources in providing solutions to the above key issues. The need for the development of sustainable knowledge based economies in underpinning future prosperity in an increasing competitive global economy. The need for the development of sustainable knowledge based economies in underpinning future prosperity in an increasing competitive global economy. Universities as key drivers in the knowledge economy. Universities as key drivers in the knowledge economy. World class educational standards require adequate funding and appropriate performance evaluation systems. Cedia are conscious of the funding difficulties which universities are facing in some countries. World class educational standards require adequate funding and appropriate performance evaluation systems. Cedia are conscious of the funding difficulties which universities are facing in some countries.

Challenges and Opportunities for the Agronomist Extended and improved application of science and education to the Agriculture and Food Sectors Extended and improved application of science and education to the Agriculture and Food Sectors Need to address issues, which are both multi and intra disciplinary Need to address issues, which are both multi and intra disciplinary The exploitation of Natural bioscience technologies re food, feed, fibre and fuel The exploitation of Natural bioscience technologies re food, feed, fibre and fuel Improved Productivity – Crop and Animal Production Improved Productivity – Crop and Animal Production Improved soil and water management Improved soil and water management Improved human nutrition and food safety Improved human nutrition and food safety Linkage of basic research findings to practical applications Linkage of basic research findings to practical applications Requirement: Scientific and Professional Leadership Requirement: Scientific and Professional Leadership

The Professional Agronomist - Training and Educational needs Careers are wide and varied – Servicing Agriculture in Public and Private sectors (50:50 approx) Servicing Agriculture in Public and Private sectors (50:50 approx) Policy, Research, Education, Advisory, Management, Consultancy etc Policy, Research, Education, Advisory, Management, Consultancy etc Knowledge and skill requirements are diverse and specific. Knowledge and skill requirements are diverse and specific. Cedia supports the Bologna process Cedia supports the Bologna process Cedia compliments the Universities for their capacity to adapt to change, and for their excellence in maintaining, and advancing the training and knowledge of agronomy graduates in ensuring that the demands placed on the profession can continue to be met. Cedia compliments the Universities for their capacity to adapt to change, and for their excellence in maintaining, and advancing the training and knowledge of agronomy graduates in ensuring that the demands placed on the profession can continue to be met. Excellent employment opportunities for graduates Excellent employment opportunities for graduates

General Comments Education and training provided is keeping abreast with professional requirements – Continued focus on syllabus and deliverence/teaching methods essential. Education and training provided is keeping abreast with professional requirements – Continued focus on syllabus and deliverence/teaching methods essential. The continued need for a good general practioner as well as the need for specialists - maintaining the broad overview while understanding the concepts of specialisation. (e.g. medicine - general practioner and specialist consultant) The continued need for a good general practioner as well as the need for specialists - maintaining the broad overview while understanding the concepts of specialisation. (e.g. medicine - general practioner and specialist consultant) Recognition and mobility of university qualifications not generally an issue – Language capability seems a bigger problem ( ref member association websites) Recognition and mobility of university qualifications not generally an issue – Language capability seems a bigger problem ( ref member association websites) Career development – professional skills and scientific knowledge needed but also a requirement for competences in leadership/innovation, communication, decision making, personal effectiveness,IT, and other management skills. Career development – professional skills and scientific knowledge needed but also a requirement for competences in leadership/innovation, communication, decision making, personal effectiveness,IT, and other management skills.

General Comments Ctd. CPD: A necessity for all professionals – cooperation at European level. ? CPD: A necessity for all professionals – cooperation at European level. ? Improved opportunities for study abroad during under graduate and post graduate training should be further promoted and facilitated. Improved opportunities for study abroad during under graduate and post graduate training should be further promoted and facilitated. The gaining of international experience during and immediately post qualification in the agri food sectors should also be encouraged and facilitated. The gaining of international experience during and immediately post qualification in the agri food sectors should also be encouraged and facilitated. Success in the global economy requires international knowledge and inter-cultural communication skills. Success in the global economy requires international knowledge and inter-cultural communication skills. Cedia through its member associations and individual members would be pleased to cooperate with your association in any of these or other initiatives. Cedia through its member associations and individual members would be pleased to cooperate with your association in any of these or other initiatives.