Bucharest Forum-Debate – June 5-8, 2013
The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest organized between 5 and 8 June 2013, the second edition of the International Conference “Agriculture for Life, Life for Agriculture”. This year the conference received a new dimension, hosting in the same time the 1st “Danube Agriculture Forum”, focusing on research and innovation strategies for agriculture and sustainable rural development.
Sorin Cimpeanu, rector UASVM Bucharest
Facing the current challenges of society and primarily dedicated to the life sciences, UASVM Bucharest is oriented towards the integrated approach to the economic, social and environmental realities. The conference provided researchers and professionals with the opportunity to build connections and partnerships, offering a unique insight into the most recent agricultural research and development. At the same time, there were presented the latest scientific results of national and international research, field studies and exploitable results.
The aim of the conference was to set the scene for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Danube Region, paying attention to the European Union connected policies (the Common Agricultural Policy Reform, Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe, European Union Strategy for the Danube Region), as well as to the challenges related to the implementation of the key priorities established by the Danube Strategy.
The event provided a platform for informed and structured debate among a wide range of stakeholders and opened a dialogue to enhance policy interaction and stakeholder engagement, enhancement of markets and competitiveness in agriculture and rural development. A series of key note speeches and panel discussions illustrated the current situation and the issues at stake, as an introduction to a broader stakeholders’ debate. The first day of the conference was structured in three plenary sessions, with the following topics being discussed:
Setting the scene for Agriculture and Rural Development
Research and Innovation for a sustainable agriculture
A smart and innovative rural development
Rector Cimpeanu and President of Senate Alexandru Sonea, receiving the “Diploma of Excellence” from Ministers Pricopie and Costoiu
The conference bought together high-level representatives from the political level, scientific community, industry and policy makers, and the debates helped participants to “cross bridges” between policy-makers and scientists, between different countries and between various policy areas and/or scientific fields.
The first day of the event was broken down into three plenary sessions, each session being opened by key notes speeches from high-level political or scientific representatives, highlighting the main challenges faced by agriculture in the Danube region.
The conference was opened by Sorin Cimpeanu, Rector of UASVM Bucharest and Alexandru Sonea, President of the Senate. A welcoming speech was addressed by Acad. Cristian Hera, Vice-President of the Romanian Academy and Mihnea Costoiu, Minister Delegate for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Development, who underlined in their messages that additional investment in research and innovation are to be made in the field of agriculture, since the agriculture of the future has to be knowledge-based. More use is to be made out of the results of scientific research and of innovation, which should be brought closer to the farmers and to agriculture.
Former President of Romania, Emil Constantinescu, was invited as Guest of Honor and keynote speakers of the opening session were Miron Mitrea, Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies and Remus Pricopie, Minister of National Education.
The second day was dedicated to seven thematic panel sessions, were experts from various European universities presented their research studies in each of the scientific sections: agronomy, horticulture, animal science, veterinary medicine, land reclamation and environmental engineering, biotechnology, management of rural areas. The third day was reserved for the field visits organized at the didactic farm “Moara Domneasca” as well as to the Pietroasa Viticulture and Oenology Research and Development Station.
Outcomes of the event
The Proceedings (work in progress)
Roll-ups
