PROGRAMME

The workshop will be carried out as a so called 'Open Space' arrangement, bordered by reflective papers and selected case studies. The outcome of an Open Space depends on the full engagement of every participant. It is a fascinating and challenging experience, the kind of event not likely to leave anybody untouched. In preparing for the workshop, participants are requested to consider and reflect upon issues of particular interest relating to the overall theme: "How can we, together, by utilising our experiences, knowledge, innovations and visions, strengthen and develop the work with national plant genetic resources programmes"? These can have any perspective (local, national, regional or international) and consider a range of subjects (strategies, policies, and applications, to mention only a few).

Using a metaphor, an Open Space can be described as 'an organised coffee break'. At the beginning of the session each participant is invited to suggest a topic for discussion. According to their interests, other participants join in to form discussion groups. Each group has the responsibilityto write down the highlights of their discussion. The discussions commonly lasts for 75 minutes. At the end of the Open Space session the group's ideas, conclusions and proposals are being written down, copied and broadcasted to all other members of the workshop. This will guarantee that all participants will share the same volume of information, for reference and/or reflection. Five Open Space sessions are planned for the Alnarp workshop.

For additional information about Open Space technology, please check out the following links: www.openspaceworld.org and www.openspacetechnology.com/osmeeting.html  

Poster presentations

Participants will have the possibility to present a poster on topic(s) relating to the national PGR programme. Standard poster size is 70 x 100 cm. Poster abstracts of maximum 1500 characters (incl. spaces) must be submitted to the Workshop Secretariat by 1 February 2003.

Excursions

Friday afternoon 25 April is devoted to outdoor activities. Three excursions are being organised, two of which are in immediate vicinity to the event. The third one involves a visit to the Fredriksdal open-air museum outside the city of Helsingborg (55 km N Alnarp) and focuses on the role of the cultural sector in conservation of domesticated biodiversity. You are kindly requested to indicate your choice of excursion in the Registration Form.

Tour 1: Alnarp – Visits to the Department of Crop Science and the spectacular park area of the Alnarp campus.

The Crop Science department is the largest single unit at Alnarp, embracing areas from genetic resources and chemical ecology to root biology and post-harvest quality. The Alnarp Park, laid out in 1862, boasts a fine arboretum, which, in terms of number of species and varieties of trees and shrubs, is the second largest in Sweden. The mild coastal climate sustains a wide range of plants that are of great educational value and a delight to students and visitors alike.

Tour 2: Alnarp – Visits to the Nordic Gene Bank and the recently established Alnarp Garden for Rehabilitation.

The Nordic Gene Bank is a joint Nordic institute operating under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The gene bank stores material of plants of interest for Nordic agriculture and horticulture, and holds responsibility both for storing material of, and information on, the species in question.

The Rehabilitation Garden is a completely new and unique project involving landscape architects, physiotherapists, garden engineers, art historians and others. The Garden serves both a clinical/therapeutic and research purpose.

Tour 3 ­– Fredriksdal Open-Air Museum

Situated in Sweden’s sixth largest city, Helsingborg, the Fredriksdal Open-Air Museum is one of the largest in the country. The estate covers 36 hectares of parks, gardens, 19^th century rural buildings and residential areas. The Museum is actively engaged in conserving traditional animal breeds and plant varieties, and also holds an impressive collection of the regional flora of South Sweden.

Preliminary agenda

For additional information, please contact the Organizing Committee

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