Protocol

Common perspectives

The CBDC objectives as well as the variety of its partners point to the wide scope and high ambitions of the programme. All partners have previous experiences with conservation and utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR). The driving force behind the programme is the common understanding that much can be learnt from such wide collaboration. 

The following principles link all partners in the program:

  • agrobiodiversity is utilised for community development;
  • on-farm conservation of PGR can only be accomplished if the needs and interests of the farmers and their communities are adopted as the guiding principle of all activities;
  •  
  • decisions in the programme are taken with the bottom-up approach and the authority on activities will rest as far as possible at the community level.

The approach of the partners is reflected in participatory work with farmers’ communities in their local settings, and in collaboration between partners. Partner organisations are diverse and operate in very different cultural, institutional and political environments. It is felt by the programme partners that this should not limit or prohibit exchange and collaboration, but be used as a rich resource for experience. The CBDC Protocol contains a written testimony that respects equity among partners involved in the collaboration.

Contacts with organisations outside the programme

The CBDC Programme considers the improvement of relationships between organisations of informal and institutional sectors as instrumental to the fundamental development of the programme. Such relationships should lead to an improved understanding of mutual approaches and methodologies, and contribute to further enhancement of local innovation systems. To reach those objectives, all CBDC partners agreed to publicise the results of the programme widely and in various fora in order to promote interest for on-farm conservation. 
   

 

There are a number of other organizations that focus on community biodiversity conservation and on-farm research.  Below are links to some of them:

 

 

Updated November 2003