DARD Evidence and Innovation Stakeholder Forum 2011
A key principle of our Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2009 - 13 is that stakeholders will play an important and on-going role in identifying DARD evidence and innovation (E&I) needs and priorities.
We held our second Annual E&I Stakeholder Forum on 28 September 2011 at Rosspark Hotel, Kells. The half-day Forum provided stakeholders with the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, seek clarification, suggest changes and put forward additional knowledge gaps for consideration in the DARD Commissioned Evidence and Innovation Work Programme with AFBI (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute) in 2012/13.
The agenda involved breakout sessions, structured around DARD’s four Programme Management Boards (PMBs), and plenary discussions. We sent a copy of the initial gaps and priorities identified by PMBs to all stakeholders beforehand.
The Forum attracted over 100 participants from a wide range of sectors and interests, including representatives from:
- agriculture, food, fisheries, forestry and renewable energy sectors;
- rural and environmental interest groups;
- other local and southern government departments and agencies; and
- academia/research providers/funders.
Feedback has been very positive, with stakeholders warmly welcoming the opportunity to give their views.
NEXT STEPS
We have taken all the views received, both on the day and in subsequent emails and letters, and included these in the PMB tables of E&I gaps and priorities.
These will help us produce a final list of DARD’s top E&I priorities for 2012/13 which will form the basis for the commissioned research and development work programme with AFBI for 2012/13.
You can download information from the event by following the links below:
