In June 2023, CALS Global spearheaded a delegation comprising twelve esteemed faculty and staff members from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) on a visit to the distinguished Tropical Agriculture Research and Education Center (CATIE) in Costa Rica. This collaborative endeavor was made possible through the generous support of a USDA-NIFA Conference Grant from the Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment.
Thirty-two colleagues from CATIE in addition to the UW team participated in the Food Systems Transformation Summit held from June 3-5. This summit served as a pivotal platform for fostering meaningful connections, allowing participants to gain insights into groundbreaking initiatives undertaken by both institutions. Subsequently, the diverse group was organized into teams and entrusted with the responsibility of delineating key priorities for the partnership.
The four strategic priorities identified and endorsed by the participants are as follows:
- Student and Faculty Exchange
- Integrating Multiple Sectors in Climate Change: Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer, with a focus on evidence-based policymaking and national adaptation strategy.
- Restoration and Ecological Functions on Degraded Landscapes
- Food and Nutrition for the Next Generation: Transforming food systems and communication strategies to make a lasting impact on the nutritional well-being of future generations.
Both institutions have committed to establishing a cohesive communication framework, fostering seamless interaction and information exchange between the universities. Furthermore, a joint pledge has been made to actively seek funding opportunities to propel the selected initiatives forward, solidifying this partnership as a beacon of innovation and progress in the realm of agricultural and environmental sciences.
