FAO host of the 47^th World Congress of the International Association of Students in Agricultural

FAO hosted in Rome a session of the 47^th World Congress of the International Association of Students in Agricultural and related sciences (IAAS) held in Croatia and Italy from 18 July to 15 August 2004 and dedicated to "Culture, Tradition and Typical Food: a journey through the Mediterranean Agriculture."

IAAS was founded in 1957 in Tunis by 8 countries to promote the exchange of knowledge, information and ideas among students and to improve the mutual understanding between countries and cultures. IAAS now groups about 500 000 students from 52 member countries and 80 universities worldwide. IAAS has been in formal relations with FAO since 1972, when the liaison status was granted. Last year, IAAS actively participated in the World Food Day 2003 celebrations at FAO Headquarters with a delegation of students and through a speech on the theme of the event: "Tomorrow's Farmers in action."

The first phase of the IAAS General Assembly took place in Croatia with 150 students discussing topics related to the internal organization, new memberships and IAAS activities at the international level.

The second phase included a tour through five Italian regions to discover best practices related to the Mediterranean agriculture, cultivation methods and diet. Students visited the Gargano National Park in Foggia and gathered information about wine, tomatoes and nut production in Viterbo.

During this second phase of the IAAS General Assembly, students attended meetings at FAO Headquarters in Rome where they had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the organization through presentations made by several FAO officers on education in the rural sector, agricultural management and genetic resources for food and agriculture. Some fields of common interest and future activities to be undertaken by IAAS and FAO where identified, in particular with the Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Development departments.

Regarding relations between IAAS and FAO in the field, the FAO Regional Office in Ghana has been participating in and supporting several activities of IAAS-Ghana and ways for further cooperation are being explored since the 48th World Congress next year will be held in Togo and Ghana on "The role of research in Agriculture for Developing Countries."

For more information of the activities of the IAAS please visit their website at http://iaasworld.studentenweb.org/site/index.php