Call for applications for the International Workshop on Agrobiodiversity and Conservation of the Belt and Road Countries
(21st July-3rd Aug. 2019, Yunnan, China)
Introduction
Agrobiodiversity is the variety and variability of living organisms that contribute to food and agriculture, including crops and their wild relatives. It also refers to the utilization of products from natural ecosystems such as non-timber forest products (Jackson et al., 2013). There has been rich agrobiodiversity developed along human history. In China, it has 237 recorded food crops and around 30,000 breeds. Agrobiodiversity is the fundamental basis of food security and human well-being. However, there is a rapid loss of agrobiodiversity and erosion of agro-ecosystems due to socio-economic development and its consequent environmental change. To raise the global concern of agrobiodiversity, 50 Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) were set up by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2002, 15 of which were located in China. Conservation of agrobiodiversity has continually been emphasized as “the living library” of the global food system.
China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for international cooperation that covers more than 60 countries mainly in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Construction of ecological civilization and green economy are considered as the guiding principles while promoting multilateral cooperation among BRI countries. In situ and ex situ conservation of agrobiodiversity is also one of the core components for sustainable development. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation on scientific research in relation with agrobiodiversity assessment and conservation is essential among BRI countries.
Supported by Bureau of International Co-operation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) is organizing an international workshop entitled “Agrobiodiversity and Conservation of the Belt and Road Countries”. The workshop will be held in Yunnan Province for two weeks during 21st July-3rd Aug.2019, with one week’s main workshop in Kunming and one week’s study tour to visit world heritage site of terraced paddy rice-forest system in Honghe and ancient tea-forest garden in Pu’er Prefectures of Yunnan Province.
This workshop aims at networking for leading and young scientists working on agrobiodiversity and conservation. It also aims to promote the cooperation and achieve common understanding on the conservation of agrobiodiversity among the Belt and Road Countries. Lectures will be given by the key resource persons, the participants will be able to share and exchange their knowledge through presentations. Consolidated scientific exchanges and communications are expected during the study tour.
The cost to participate in this workshop including international travel (economic class), local transportation, accommodation and food will be covered by Kunming Institute of Botany.
Selection criteria for applicants:
1) Holding a PhD Degree;
2) Under the age of 45;
3) As the first or corresponding author of at least 3 research articles relating to the area of agrobiodiversity published on the international peer-reviewed journals.
Applicants meeting with the above three mentioned criteria are encouraged to send: 1) CV; 2) proofing documents; and 3) application form to Dr. Yao Fu (fuyao@mail.kib.ac.cn) before 20th May, 2019.
The organizing committee will evaluate the applications based on the documents received and release the short list of the applicants through email by 30th May, 2019.
Any further information is required, please contact Dr. Fu Yao.
Organizing committee
Workshop Agrobiodiversity and Conservation of the Belt and Road Countries
Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Contact person: Dr. Yao Fu
Email: fuyao@mail.kib.ac.cn
Tel:+86-871-65223909
Address: No. 134. Lanhei Road, Kunming, China
Location: 
