December 2005: Consultation of the Interim Bureau of the Adelboden Group
The members of the Interim Bureau of the Adelboden Group, who were elected for two years in October 2004, met at FAO headquarters in Rome from 12-14 December 2005. The main purpose of this consultation was to provide the Interim Bureau with an update on the activities being conducted for each of these three priorities for 2005, receive recommendations for improvement and obtain advice for proposed activities for 2006.
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Workshop on developing a methodological framework for a rapid assessment of policies for SARD in Mountain Regions (16-17 November 2005 in Managua, Nicaragua)
A regional workshop titled ‘’Towards a Methodological Framework for a Rapid Assessment of Policies for SARD in Mountain Regions’’ was held in Managua, Nicaragua on 16-17 November 2005.
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Seminar on mountain positive externalities: “Reaping the benefits of Europe’s precious place - Policies releasing the potential of mountain and remoter rural areas” (9-11 November in Aviemore, Scotland)
As the contribution to the third priority of the project concerning the analysis of positive and negative externalities, the SARD-M Project supported the Euromontana’s Seminar on mountain positive externalities: “Reaping the benefits of Europe’s precious place - Policies releasing the potential of mountain and remoter rural areas” held in Aviemore Scotland from 9 to 11 November.
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Workshop on Strengthening SARD-M Policies for the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (24 October 2005, in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovak Republic)
Based on assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies in the Carpathians conducted under the supervision of United Nations Environment Programme Vienna – Interim Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention (UNEP Vienna – ISCC), the expert Workshop aimed at identifying common policy issues to work on at the regional level in the framework of the Carpathian Convention, including recommendations for a future Protocol on sustainable agriculture and rural development in the Carpathians.
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First Meeting of the Regional Focal Points: Launching of activities in the regions (12-13 May 2005)
This first technical meeting, which took place from 12 to 13 May at FAO, marked the start of activities in the field. The meeting allowed for the exchange of information, experiences and methods for establishing interregional collaboration. The Regional Focal Points also adopted a methodological framework that will be utilized for the evaluation of existing policies for SARD in mountain regions in various regions around the world. [more...]

SARD-M Project Steering Committee gives the green light for the project start-up
The first Steering Committee meeting of the SARD-M Project, which took place in Rome on 22 February 2005, gave the green light for the project start-up by approving the project work plan and budget for 2005. [more...]

International Mountain Day 2005
The UN has designated 11 December as the International Mountain Day and this year’s theme, "Sustainable Tourism for Poverty Alleviation in Mountain Areas", will provide a unique opportunity to increase awareness, to enhance solidarity and to promote concerted action for sustainable tourism -- particularly at the country level. [more...]

Seminar on sustainable development of mountainous regions (1-2 December 2005, Morocco)
The Moroccan Association of Agricultural Economics (AMAECO) is organizing a seminar in Morocco from 1-2 December 2005 on the theme of “Sustainable Development of the Mountainous Regions”. Its objective is to reflect on the issues related to the mountain regions and find possible alternatives for their development, through the identification of appropriate technical, institutional and political options that ensure a sustainable intensification and diversification of economic activities within the mountainous communities. [more...]

Conference on the role of local governance in sustainable development (14-18 November 2005, Bishkek)
The 2nd international conference organized by the Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities (AGOCA) and Central Asian Mountain Partnership (CAMP) aimed to stimulate long-term cooperation and exchange of experience among communities and institutions in the mountain regions of the Alps, the Altai, the Caucasus, the Carpathians and Central Asia, as an input to the concept of the International Mountain Partnership. [more...]

18th Global Learning Opportunity on “Farming Systems and Poverty: Making a Difference”, 31 October-4 November 2005
The Global Learning Opportunity (GLO) of the International Farming Systems Association (IFSA) will be held in Rome, Italy, from 31 October-4 November 2005. The symposium will bring together development practitioners, educators, researchers, representatives of farmer and producers organizations, civil society organizations, private business and development agencies. [more...]

Conference on policy and public stakes of territorial convergence of mountain massifs in Central and Eastern Europe countries (27-28 October 2005, Slovak Republic)
The European Association of elected representatives from Mountain areas (AEM), that defends the interests of mountain areas and populations across Europe to promote the specificities of mountain territories, organized a conference on October 27th and 28th about “policy and public stakes of territorial convergence of mountain massifs in Central and Eastern Europe countries”. [more...]

New publication "Participatory policy development for the maize-based farming system - a case study of Honduras"
In the framework of a case study in Lempira Sur and Santa Bárbara (Honduras) managed by the FAO SARD Farming Systems Evolution Project, PASOLAC and SAG (Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería), a document has been published entitled "Participatory policy development for the maize-based farming system - a case study of Honduras". [more...]