International Summer School Programme 2009
"AGROECOLOGY: SYSTEMS DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT TOOLS"
COLORNO (PARMA) - ITALY, JULY 11TH - JULY 19TH, 2009

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: JUNE 7th, 2009

Introduction
The current global financial crisis combined with rapid resource depletion and pending climate change underlines the vulnerability of global production systems and the urgent need for using scientific innovations for developing more sustainable production techniques. The concept of Agroecology is becoming increasingly popular as a system-based approach for integrating different principles and techniques related to a sustainable rural development. Agroecology provides a conceptual framework for structuring appropriate development strategies by enhancing the inherent production capacity of local agroecosystems thus facilitating sustainable economic growth and improved global food security.

The science of agroecology, which is defined as the application of ecological concepts and principles for the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems, also provides a framework to assess the complexity of agroecosystems. Agroecology aims to develop functional agroecosystems that generate sustained and reliable supply of different goods and services with a minimal use of external inputs. This is accomplished by capitalizing on ecological interactions and synergisms between biological components thus providing a renewable mechanisms for sustaining inherent soil fertility, productivity and crop protection.

The agroecological approach success is based on two main pillars;
1. a clear understanding of its principles and their consequences from an ethical, social, economic and environmental point of view;
2. a sound knowledge of the technical and managerial issues related to the implementation of agroecology principles.

This Summer School program is focused on the second component and will allow participants to gain hands-on experience using analytical and operational tools for designing and implementing more efficient agroecological systems. A team of international experts will provide a unique learning environment that will allow participants to actively engage in discussion and exchange experiences with an international audience.

The summer school is hosted by the University of Gastronomic Sciences, founded by Slow Food, which is organising the school together with the University of Bologna and representatives from Wageningen University, with the support of the IFOAM Agribiomediterraneo.

Target groups
This course is designed for students, teachers, professors, consultants, and other practitioners, with at least a completed BSc degree in agriculture, natural sciences, socio-economics or related disciplines
who want to gain practical knowledge on agroecology in an international and interdisciplinary learning environment.

Objectives and Contents
- Provide the students with skills and tools to evaluate, design, implement and manage sustainable agroecological systems
- Foster knowledge of the principles and key features of agroecology
- Providing an operational framework for sustainability assessment, system design, and managements skills
- Gain field experience in the use state-of-the-art tools for systems design and resource management

Summary of course contents
- Discuss core principles of agroecological systems
- Develop and evaluate functional and sustainable ecosystems
- Integrated resource management
- Research and training approaches for system analysis, innovation and technology transfer
- Implementing system analysis and design tools for agroecosystems (dynamic simulation and optimization tools)
- On-farm implementation: Farm characterization and initial sustainability assessment
- System exploration and redesign
- Group presentations and evaluation along with discussions with farmers

The course includes formal lectures, training sessions with design tools, groups discussions, practical assignments, and on-farm training sessions in collaboration with organic farmers.

Teaching staff
- Prof. Miguel Altieri, University of California, Berkeley (USA)
- Prof. Concetta Vazzana, University of Florence (IT)
- Prof. Cesare Zanasi, University of Bologna (IT)
- Dr. Johannes Scholberg, University of Wageningen (NL)
- Dr. Paola Migliorini, University of Gastronomic Science, Pollenzo (IT)
- Prof. Andrea Pieroni, University of Gastronomic Science, Pollenzo (IT)
- Drs.Erika Speelman, University of Wageningen (NL)
- Drs. Alberto Giani, University of Wageningen (NL)
- Prof. Manuel Gonzalez de Molina Navarro, University Pablo Olavidez (UPO) in Sevilla, (ES)
- Dr. Mattia Prayer, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
- Dr. Cinzia Scaffidi, Slow Food International

Credits and evaluation
Course participants will receive an official course certificate at the end of the course including the results of the final evaluation (3 ECTS credits) which will be awarded by the Faculty of Agriculture of Bologna University . However, the final exam is not mandatory; and participants who do not
successfully complete the final exam will receive a declaration of attendance.

Admission
Applicants, if eligible, are admitted on a first come first serve basis, the relevant date is the date of payment of the pre-registration fee. The eligibility criteria are based on the curriculum vitae and a statement of professional interests and goals as related to the training course, which should be included in the application package. Applicants may be put in a waitlist and admitted in case of renounces of other candidates.The course will be taught in English

Fees
- Master Students: Euro 800,00
- Others (Teachers, Practitioners from developing countries: Euro 1,000.00
- Others (teacher, practitioner etc.) from other countries: Euro 1,500.00
This fee includes the teaching materials/handouts. Accommodations and meals are not provided but affordable accommodations will be available for students. Ask the tutor for more information.

Scholarship/grants
A limited number of scholarships (Euro 500.00) will be allocated on the basis of quality of applicants and the availability of funds. The criteria for the assignment of the scholarship are based on order of preenrolment,
provenance of the student, evaluated on the base of the application letter.

Insurance
The insurance at the course venue is provided by the University of Bologna. Evidence of health insurance is required for students from outside the EU, at their own cost.

Venue
Colorno (PR) c/o Università di Scienze Gastronomiche;
How to get to Colorno: http://www.unisg.it/eng/comeraggiungerci.php
Information for registration and other issues related to the course attendance

Contacts:
# Prof. at the school:
- Prof. Cesare Zanasi e-mail: cesare.zanasi@unibo.it, tel 0039 0522 290411;
- Dr. Paola Migliorini email: p.migliorini@unisg.it, tel. 0039 0712 458573
# Tutor:
- dr. Giovanna Sacchi e-mail giovanna.sacks@gmail.com
# Administration:
- Fondazione Alma Mater : Daniela Ciccardi, Debora Spartani, Silvia Lorenzini
Tel. 051 2091398; 051 2091368; 051 2091394 Fax 051 2091384
d.ciccardi@fondazionealmamater;it

Summer school website:
http://www.fondazionealmamater.unibo.it/FAM/AltaFormazion/IniziativeSpeciali/International_Summer_School_Programme_2009_AGROECOLOGY_SYSTEMS_DESIGN_AND_MANAGEMENT_TOOLS.htm

The Director of the Summer School
Prof. Cesare Zanasi