CIARD Workshop, Budapest

Coordinator of Apricot Nework, Ara HOVHANNISYAN, took a part of Regional Workshop on the “Development of Thematic Knowledge Networks", in the framework of "Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development" (CIARD) between 9-11 March 2010, Budapest - Hungary.

Around 25 participants was invited to the event from CIS, Russian Federation and CEE countries.

Prior to the forthcoming European Regional Conference, well established agricultural advisory research information networks and new communication platforms are planned to be set up and customized based on more advaced information management technologies during the course of the three days event, in support of educational, research, food and nutrition and other expert fields.

In 2009 with the financial support of FAO REU and technical support of FAO HQ, a new server has been set up in Rome to serve as common technical background for the AgroWeb CEE Network, ESCORENA and the Thematic Knowledge Networks operational in the framework of ESCORENA in the region. The new web server aiming to contribute to the streamlining of the agricultural information and knowledge sharing services. Prior to the forthcoming European Regional Conference, additional communication platforms are planned to be established and migrated to the new server, in support of educational, research, food and nutrition and other expert fields.

The organization of a capacity building workshop is essential to ensure, that all networks are enabled to migrate their content and services to the new environment.

By the end of the training, new national entry points was created, using the common structure and features developed under Typo3 content management system. Small expert teams will be developed to provide further assistance to all thematic knowledge network members on their specific needs.