The inauguration of a new Director General of the Institute in January actually sealed the deal. No stranger to IICA, Dr. Manuel Otero hit the ground running, ensuring that institutional planning was high on each Delegation’s work agenda.
IICA Delegation in Canada.
The first quarter of the year is usually approached with optimism and an eagerness to make a fresh start! This year was no different. The inauguration of a new Director General of the Institute in January actually sealed the deal. No stranger to IICA, Dr. Manuel Otero hit the ground running, ensuring that institutional planning was high on each Delegation’s work agenda.
A good time to reflect and project, staff was fully engaged in providing input for the upcoming Medium Term Plan. After weighing in on the areas to be included in the Institute’s road map for the next 4 years, the Delegation proceeded to obtain views from a range of stakeholders. Serendipitously, this coincided with Canada’s second round of consultations on its new Feminist International Assistance Policy. The opportunity to eye Canada’s development priorities while we contribute to the development of our own MTP was not lost.
The Delegation in Canada was thrilled that the DG decided to visit Canada for his first country mission since taking office. Brief but dynamic, the high level mission resulted in a spell of unanticipated preparatory activities, and of course, follow-up actions. Meetings which were organized facilitated contact with our stakeholders early in the year, even while we forged new alliances. Such was the case with Food Security Policy Group, with whom IICA’s experience of agricultural innovation systems was shared.
Of course I was pleased for a respite from the cold in Jamaica for the closing of the study on “The potential for knowledge transfer by Jamaican Seasonal Agricultural Workers who participate in the Canadian program”. The validation workshop and meetings with the Canadian High Commission, Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Ministry of Industry Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries in Jamaica provided favorable prospects for this innovative venture.
The promising start of the year was dimmed by the retirement of a member of our team – Trudy Werry, who although with us a short time, played an invaluable role in planning, monitoring and project activities of the Delegation. We wish her all the best as she relaxes and embarks on new adventures!
For more Information:
Dr. Audia Barnett
audia.barnett@iica.int
