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Observatory on science and technology for ACP agriculture and rural development
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ILRI: Senior scientist and leader �' animal breeding and genetics
09 10 2008 ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute) seeks applicants for above position who can provide leadership for its biotechnology theme around improved and sustainable utilisation of animal genetic resources. The position includes substantial project/program management responsibilities. Location: ILRI - Nairobi, Kenya. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply. The position will remain open until a suitable candidates is found.

EU/EC FP7: 3rd Call of the FP7 Theme - Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology
09 10 2008 The 3rd Call of the FP7 Theme - Food Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnology was published on 3 September, 2008. It contains a number of research topics which are directly related to Agricultural Research for Development and the MDGs, with a special emphasis on Africa. The expected EC contribution for the above projects can be estimated to be around Euro 24 million. The deadline for submission is 15 January 2009.

IDB Biofuels Sustainability Scorecard
09 10 2008 A partner for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank provides financing, leverage, policy advice, research, and technical assistance to carry out development projects in 26 countries of the region. The Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Initiative (SECCI) and the Structured and Corporate Finance Department (SCF) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have created a Biofuels Sustainability Scorecard based on the sustainability criteria of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The primary objective of the Scorecard is to encourage higher levels of sustainability in biofuels projects by providing a tool to think through the range of complex issues associated with biofuels. Since the scientific debate around these complex issues continues to evolve, the Scorecard should be seen as a work-in-process and will continue to be updated and revised as needed. Comments can be submitted at the end of filling out the Scorecard.

Project Manager �' Gender and Climate Change (WEDO)
07 10 2008 Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) is an international organization that advocates for women’s equality in global policy. It seeks to empower women as decision makers to achieve economic, social and gender justice, a healthy and peaceful planet and human rights for all. Our four programs are: Sustainable Development, Gender and Governance, Economic & Social Justice, and US global policy. This is a part-time consultant position for one year, commencing February 2008, with possibility of renewal pending funding. Consultant will be based at WEDO’s office in New York, or with a partner organization in Latin America or Africa that has reliable communications systems. The Consultant is responsible for managing WEDO’s advocacy project on gender and climate change in four to five developing countries. Applicants from the Global South are strongly encouraged to apply. WEDO is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or family status.
Send CV, cover letter, writing sample, fee requirements, and location/timing possibilities by email only to projmgr@wedo.org. We regret that we cannot respond to phone calls. Deadline for applications is January 27, 2009.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
07 10 2008 The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Postdoctoral Fellow to work under the Ethiopia Strategy Support Program II (ESSP-II) for a two-year, fixed-term, renewable appointment. The program has a focus on strategy and policy issues in relation to agriculture, the food system, rural change, and poverty reduction. The position reports to the Director of the Development Strategy and Governance Division (DSGD) and is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Fellow would be responsible for a) Conducting research, policy advice, capacity strengthening and policy communications in Ethiopia on the strategic issues of agricultural and rural development and poverty reduction under the guidance of ESSP-II leader. More specifically, the position includes the following responsibilities: Policy-Oriented Research: Based on an identified program of work, leading or participating in specific empirical research and synthesis on special studies. The Fellow will be responsible for timely completion of these research projects leading to publication of papers/books on research results. Capacity-Building: Assisting in the development and implementation of capacity building activities in Ethiopia, including providing support to targeted training programs and conducting collaborative research with project counterparts. Policy Communication and Liaison: Maintaining active policy communication with national counterparts through participation in regular policy seminar series, policy briefs, and other fora; establishing active links with various national research institutions; and liaising with donors on regular basis.
For more information on the job application visit IFPRI's website.
If you have technical difficulties and cannot access the online application form or have questions about the form, please send an email with your question to ifprijobs@cgiar.org.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Abuja, Nigeria
07 10 2008 The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Postdoctoral Fellow to work under Nigeria Strategy Support Program (NSSP) for a two-year, fixed-term, renewable appointment. The program has a focus on strategy and policy issues in relation to agriculture, the food system, gender relations, rural change, and poverty reduction. The position reports to the Director of the Development Strategy and Governance Division (DSGD) and is based in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Fellow will be responsible for:
a) conducting research, policy advice, capacity strengthening and policy communications in Nigeria on the strategic issues of agricultural and rural development and poverty reduction, and
b) Support the NSSP leader to coordinate IFPRI’s country strategy program in that country. The Fellow would be responsible for timely completion of research projects, actively publish papers/books, and participate in various conferences, policy advisory forums, and capacity strengthening training programs.
For more information on the job application visit IFPRI's website. If you have technical difficulties and cannot access the online application form or have questions about the form, please send an email with your question to ifprijobs@cgiar.org.

SOUTH AFRICAN BIOSYSTEMATICS INITIATIVE (SABI) CALL FOR POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS (FUNDING YEAR �' 2009)
07 10 2008 The National Research Foundation (NRF) on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is offering SABI (South African Biosystematics Initiative) Postdoctoral Fellowships. The South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI) was developed to significantly enhance South Africa’s capacity to undertake research in biosystematics, thereby establishing a skills base and information platform at the foundation of all scientific endeavour in the life sciences, such that the full potential of South Africa’s unique biological resources can be realised and safeguarded for the future benefit of all. ABI is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and managed by he National Research Foundation (NRF). The SABI Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is designed to enable outstanding doctoral graduates to obtain experience of research and innovation at the museums in preparation for possible employment at South African museums, universities, science councils and other research laboratories. It is envisaged that this will enhance research capacity at museums with the intentions to further stimulate biosystematics research in South Africa. All applications must be submitted through e-mail to Mr Frank Mazibuko or fax 086 692 9753 / 012 481 4005.
NB! The applicant and all references must make sure their CVs are fully updated in the NRF Online system. These will be used in the assessment process.
The closing date for all applications for this round is 15 October 2008. Please visit the NRF web site from time to time for updated information.

NERC Fellowship
07 10 2008 The Natural Environment Research Council Fellowship scheme provides opportunities for outstanding environmental scientists to devote their time to:
• research
• develop their research careers
• produce work of international importance
NERC supports fellows undertaking environmental science research, including:
• freshwater
• Earth
• atmospheric
• marine
• terrestrial
• Earth observation
• polar
We particularly encourage applications to work across the boundaries of environmental science and engineering and social and/or economic research.
NERC is also particularly keen to attract scientists in areas of applied mathematics, physics or strongly quantitative disciplines wishing to develop a career in environmental science. Around thirty fellowships are available to start around October 2009. Applicants can only submit one application to NERC for the closing date on 30 October 2008 at 16:00. For more information on how to apply visit NERC's website.

YPARD grants: New local and regional initiatives
07 10 2008 The Young Professionals' Platform for Agricultural Research (YPARD): New Local and Regional Initiatives is calling for proposals for individuals and organizations wishing to set up local and regional initiatives. With funds from SDC (Swiss Development Cooperation), YPARD will be supporting these local/regional initiatives. Each approved initiative will be granted with - omit a maximum of EUR5, 000 seed funds. Funds are available for supporting a maximum number of five initiatives. Young professionals and any organization in agricultural research for development may join forces with other individuals and/or organizations in their country or region to bring together other young professionals (YPs) to discuss, debate and act on key issues revolving Agricultural Research for Development (ARD). The group of individuals or organizations that seeks to institutionalize this way of interacting should send a concept note or proposal to the YPARD Coordination Unit.
The grants are open to any young professional with age below 40 and any organization
in agricultural research for development. The closing date is 31 October 2008.

EDUCATING AFRICA Pan-African Awards for Entrepreneurship in Education 2008
07 10 2008 If the huge demand for education that exists across Africa is to be met, it will require new and entrepreneurial models which can be replicated and taken to scale. The EDUCATING AFRICA Pan-African Awards for Entrepreneurship in Education seek to identify the very best organizations which have risen to this challenge; to highlight their models, and to reward their achievements. TeachAManToFish, in partnership with Educating Africa is proud to announce the EDUCATING AFRICA Pan-African Awards for Entrepreneurship in Education 2008. The competition is open to all organizations based in Africa working in education, from primary through to tertiary, as well as in non-formal and adult education. As well as a first prize of $10,000 and two runners-up prizes of $5,000, there are 50 awards of $1,000 available for the best entry from every country on the continent. The top three award-winners will be invited to collect their prizes at Education That Pays For Itself 2008, an international conference on Sustainable Education being held this November in South Africa. To subscribe visit TeachAManToFish website.

2009 Call For Application CGIAR
07 10 2008 Two Fellowship opportunities will be available for 2009 to carry out research on conservation and use of Plant Genetic Resources. One of the Fellowships will be supported by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., United States. The second Fellowship is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australia.
Applications are invited from nationals of developing countries, aged 35 or under, holding a masters degree (or equivalent) and/or doctorate in a relevant subject area. The list of eligible countries is available on the World Bank web site ("Income group": "low-income" and "lower-middle income" only).
Deadline for applications: 9 November 2008.
For a description of topics, criteria and application procedures, please download "Announcement", "Application form" and "Guidelines for preparation of research proposals" from here below or send a request to Elisabetta Rossetti.

Consortium for Research on Educational Access, Transitions and Equity (CREATE) seeks nominations for Commonwealth Scholarships
07 10 2008 The Consortium for Research on Educational Access, Transitions and Equity has been asked to nominate two suitable candidates for the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme. CREATE is a five-year DFID-funded programme of research, established in January 2006 to encourage the application of knowledge to improve access to basic education. The award of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships enables individuals to pursue advanced academic study in other Commonwealth countries. CREATE will be looking for exceptional candidates who wish to pursue their studies around an aspect of educational access in/around one of CREATE's partner countries: South Africa, Bangladesh, India or Ghana.
Candidates may apply for one of two awards:
- a doctoral degree, of up to three years duration (full-time)
- one year of research in the UK on a split-site basis, to aid in the completion of a PhD at the candidate's home institution.
Completed application forms should be received by CREATE by 30 November 2008 at the latest.
Awards, if granted, will start in Oct 2009. If successful, applicants would study in the UK at the Centre for International Education (CIE), University of Sussex, which leads the CREATE Consortium.

Senior Officer, Rural Employment and Poverty Reduction Duty Station, FAO (No: 2078-ESW)
07 10 2008 Under the general supervision of the Director, ESW and the Principal Advisor, ESW, the incumbent will: Provide advice and technical support for the development and implementation of FAO’s rural employment strategy to ensure equitable rural development, sustainable and diversified livelihoods, poverty reduction and food security, including preparing reports on progress in implementation. Lead and/or participate in missions to Member countries to provide policy advice, orient economic research or identify/formulate policy-related or technical programmes and projects to achieve more equitable, remunerative, and safer conditions of employment in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural enterprises, with a focus on economic growth while reducing vulnerability and social exclusion and eliminating the worst forms of child labour. Provide guidance/technical support for empirical research and analytical studies on rural labour markets, with particular reference to gender, equity and poverty issues, migration, and demographic trends, and contribute to the generation and analysis of gender disaggregated rural labour data and statistics.
Send your application to: V.A 2078-ESW, Ms. Eve Crowley, Principal Advisor, ESW - ES Department, FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY, Fax No: 39 06 5705 2004, E-mail: VA-2078-ESW@fao.org
This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged.
Deadline For Application: 22 October 2008.

Adjustment Support Expert (P4)
07 10 2008 The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa is a regional grouping of nineteen African States which have agreed to cooperate in the development of their respective economies through regional integration and trade development. COMESA’s regional integration strategy is based on the setting up of regional policies aimed at transforming the region into a single market and facilitating the integration of its member States into the world economy. Under the general supervision of the Assistant Secretary General (Programmes), the mission of the Adjustment Support Expert is to ensure quality delivery of support to Member States within the general scope COMESA’s regional integration strategy. The range of support will cover: assisting Member States in assessing revenues losses arising from the reduction of removal of tariff barriers; assisting Member States in impact assessment of implementation of regional policies and national reform implications; facilitate the disbursement of financial support from the Adjustment Facility to eligible member states to address adjustment costs; and assist Member States in the reporting requirements to the relevant statutory organs regarding financial support;
The expert will be contracted for a period of about 20 months up to 30 June 2010 at the latest. Subsequent renewal will depend on the availability of funds.
The expert will be based at the COMESA Secretariat, Lusaka, Zambia but should be prepared and willing to travel extensively both within and outside of the COMESA region. Only Nationals of countries (ACP and EU) that are signatories to the Cotonou Agreement on 23rd June 2000 are encouraged to apply.
Final date for receipt of applications: 24th October 2008
Applications may be submitted by e-mail or fax) to: The Secretary General, COMESA Centre, Cairo Road, P O Box 30051, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia, Fax: (260 1) 227318, E-mail: recruitment@comesa.int. Applications should contain the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, present and permanent address, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail. The C.V format can be downloaded from the COMESA Website

Agricultural Officer (Rotterdam Convention Secretariat), FAO (No: 2084-AGP)
07 10 2008 Under the general supervision of the Chief, Plant Protection Service/Joint Executive Secretary of the Rotterdam Convention, and the direct supervision of the senior Technical Officer (Rotterdam Convention), the incumbent will provide technical support in the analysis, development and implementation of activities in support of the Rotterdam Convention. In particular, will: Assist in the provision of policy advice and preparation of strategic documentation related to pest or pesticide management and the Rotterdam Convention at national, regional and international levels; Analyze technical and policy issues relevant to pesticides management and implications for implementation of the Rotterdam Convention; Assist countries in assessing needs and capacities and preparing plans and guidelines in order that they might benefit from the information on pesticides available under the Convention and from the PIC procedure; Develop and maintain contacts with designated national authorities, regional and sub-regional partners in order to promote regional and subregional cooperation in the implementation of the Convention; Send your application to: V.A 2084-AGP, Ms. I. Roda-Martin AGPP, FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY, Fax No: 39 06 57053224, E-mail: VA-2084-AGP@fao.org
This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged.
Deadline For Application: 30 October 2008.

Plant Production and Protection Officer, FAO (No: 2080-SLC)
07 10 2008 Under the supervision of the Subregional Coordinator and the functional guidance of the Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP), the incumbent will provide support on matters related to the field of sustainable plant production and protection to the Subregional Multidisciplinary Team which will lead FAO’s response to the needs of the Subregion (Caribbean), including those of the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). Specifically to: Assist FAO Members in the identification, formulation and implementation of plant production and protection strategies and programmes; Ensure that plant production and protection is effectively integrated into the work of the Multidisciplinary Team; Act as focal point for Subregional plant production and protection programmes and assist Members to strengthen and improve their phytosanitary capacity and capabilities in surveillance and monitoring, pest diagnosis, pest monitoring, including management of invasive alien species and transboundary, including quarantine, pests; Liaise with academic/research institutions and “centres of excellence” in the Subregion and with national, regional and subregional institutions, organizations and bilateral assistance agencies in order to promote subregional cooperation in plant production and protection.
Send your application to: V.A 2080-SLC, Mr Elcio P. Guimaraes, AGPC, FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY, Fax No: 39 06 57056347, E-mail: VA-2080-SLC@fao.org
This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged.
Deadline For Application: 14 November 2008.

Biosafety Regulations of Asia-Pacific Countries
06 10 2008 By Kavita Gupta, J.L. Karihaloo and R.K. Khetarpal, Published by the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology and the FAO, 2008. World population is expected to increase from the current 6.3 to 7.5 billion by 2020 (IDB, 2007). Asia-Pacific region, being home to nearly 60% of the world’s population, is expected to contribute significantly to this increase. While spectacular rise in food production was made especially in Asia during 1970s and 1980s, the recent years have seen a slow down or even stagnation, raising concerns about food and livelihood security in the developing countries. Several countries are increasingly resorting to imports either because domestic production is too low or because there are growing demands for food and feed grain. It is predicted that developing countries in Asia will account for half of the increase in global demand for the cereals by the year 2020 (Rosegrant et al., 2001). It is also being felt that under the prevailing conditions, most of the developing countries in Asia and the Pacific will be unable to meet the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty and hunger by 2015 (UNESCAP, 2005). Biotechnology1 is globally recognized as a powerful tool of plant and animal genetic modification (GM) that holds promise of improving productivity, profitability and sustainability of farm production systems, including those existing in small and poor farming situations (Cohen,
2005; Delmer, 2005; Brookes and Barfoot, 2006). The present chapter details the status of Asia-Pacific countries on adoption and research in genetically modified (GM) crops.

Potential Effects of Oilseed Rape Expressing Oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1) and of Purified Insecticidal Proteins on Larvae of the Solitary Bee Osmia bicornis
06 10 2008 By Roger Konrad, Natalie Ferry, Angharad M. R. Gatehouse, Dirk Babendreier, 16 July 2008. Genetically modified (GM) crops expressing proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are cultivated on a rapidly increasing acreage worldwide since their commercialization in the mid 1990s, and, with the exception of cotton expressing both Bt and CpTI (serine protease inhibitor from cowpea), are the only insect-resistant GM plants to have been brought to the marketplace. However, various strategies based on the use of plant or animal derived genes are actively being pursued. A major concern raised in connection with the cultivation of transgenic plants is their potential to harm beneficial insects such as bees. By pollinating wild and cultivated plants, bees make a significant contribution to the functioning of natural ecosystems and to the human food supply. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are regarded as the most economically important pollinators of agricultural crops worldwide. However, solitary bees (both wild and managed) also provide an important pollination service and their value for agriculture is increasingly being recognized. This is particularly true for areas and crops where honey bees are absent or are inefficient pollinators, and under these conditions non-Apis bees can substantially enhance production. In the late 1950s, the use of non-Apis bees (i.e. the two solitary bees Nomia melanderi Cockerell and Megachile rotundata Fabricius) started to become important in commercial pollination. Since then, several solitary bee species (mainly members of the genus Osmia) have been developed into manageable crop pollinators and have often been found to contribute to higher crop yields than honey bees (e.g.).

Integration of Insect-Resistant Genetically Modified Crops within IPM Programs
06 10 2008 By Jörg Romeis, Anthony M. Schelten and George G. Kennedy (eds.), Springer, July 2008, 978-1-4020-8372-3 (Print) 978-1-4020-8373-0 (Online). A newly released book, Integration of Insect-Resistant Genetically Modified Crops within IPM Programs, provides the first comprehensive synthesis of the role of insect-resistant GM crops in crop protection. The book was edited by Jörg Romeis (Agroscope ART, Switzerland), Anthony Shelton (Cornell University, USA) and George Kennedy (North Carolina State University, USA) with the goal of providing an overview of the role insect-resistant GM plants play in different crop systems worldwide. A total of 42 authors from around the globe have reviewed the latest available information on insect-resistant GM crops, ranging from their biological and ecological activity to their economic and social impact. The editors hope the book will contribute to a more rational debate about the role GM crops can play in IPM for food and fiber production.

International Seed Treaty’s Goals Of Biodiversity, Food Security Tough To Implement
06 10 2008 By Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch, 7 August 2008. As the world struggles with a global food crisis, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is working to support biodiversity as a way to contribute to food security. To that end, the FAO has launched an initiative to ensure that this global genetic diversity is accessible, in the hopes that this will promote sustainable agriculture and increased food security. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which addresses the need for diversity by promoting conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use, was adopted by the FAO Conference in November 2001 and it came into force in June 2004. The treaty aims at collecting and sharing global plant genetic resources to sponsor genetic diversity and ensure food security. Its main components are: farmers’ rights, the multilateral system of access and benefit sharing, and a funding strategy.

Counterfeit Pesticides Across Europe �' 2008: Facts, Consequences and Actions Needed
06 10 2008 European Crop Protection Association, 27 August 2008. There is a rapid growth in Europe and worldwide of counterfeit and illegally-traded pesticides. These illegal products are produced and distributed by criminal gangs. They are untested, unregulated and threaten farmers and consumers health and the environment.
The scale and scope of counterfeit pesticides differs from market to market depending on countries’ specificities. This report gives a detailed overview of the problem and solutions. It provides useful and insightful information on the overall problem as well as for a number of European countries. Fighting counterfeit pesticides is a complex task. In Europe, we see the dichotomy of more and more regulation related to pesticide use, yet less and less attention devoted to enforcement of these regulations. This is leading to more and more abuse.
The grave nature of the problem requires urgent actions by all stakeholders �' governments, supranational entities, farmers and food chain and the legitimate pesticide industry.

Focus on yield Biotech crops: evidence, outcomes and impacts 1996-2006
06 10 2008 PG Economics Limited, August 2008. This brief is intended for use by a wide range of people with interests in agriculture and the environment. As a summary of the key findings relating to the impact of biotech crops (1996-2006), this brief focuses on yield effects, as detailed in the peer review scientific journal article “Global impact of biotech crops: socio-economic and environmental effects 1996-20061” by Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot.

Political science? Strengthening science�'policy dialogue in developing countries
06 10 2008 By Nicola Jones, Harry Jones and Cora Walsh, Overseas Development Institute Working Paper 294, August 2008. Science and technology are playing an increasingly important role in the policy process. The value of science and technological information is already well-established in the fields of health, agriculture and natural resource management, but issues such as climate change, food security and biotechnology have recently attracted a high profile in international policy debates about sustainable development and poverty reduction. These trends are set against a background of increasing international interest in and rhetorical commitment to evidence-informed policy dialogue and processes as a means to improve development policy and practice. Surprisingly, however, there is a dearth of research that systematically examines the science�'policy interface in developing countries. Even fewer analysts have sought to offer practical strategies and recommendations for strengthening linkages between scientific knowledge and the policy process. This study contributes to filling this gap by providing a multi-layered analysis of the science�'policy interface in developing countries. The analysis combines theoretical and empirical strands, comparing Northern and Southern contexts and drawing out theoretical insights as well as providing practical recommendations for action. It focuses on three broad questions: What is the patterning of relationships between scientific researchers, policy decision-makers and intermediaries in developing country contexts? What are the challenges and opportunities for strengthening these linkages? What types of strategies exist or could potentially be adopted to improve evidence-informed policy processes?

When Disaster Strikes: A Guide to Assessing Seed System Security
06 10 2008 By Louise Sperling, CIAT Publication No 363, August 2008. This guide presents a seven-step method for assessing the security of farmers´ seed systems in situations of acute and chronic stress. The occasion may be a natural disaster such as a flood, drought, earthquake or insect pest invasion; or it could be a crisis of human making such as civil war, political instability or economic recession. Whatever the crisis of stress, the guide serves as a practical field manual for donor agencies, government ministries, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals charged with agricultural relief and recovery, including those with little or no expertise in seed systems. The method presented here �' we call it Seed System Security Assessment, or SSSA �' helps managers and field staff assess whether interventions in seed systems are needed, and if so guides the choice of relief or development actions. Our understanding of the effects of emergency seed programs has improved immensely in the past five years, and there are both flaws in current practices and much scope for improvement.

Political Science? Strengthening science�'policy dialogue in developing countries
06 10 2008 By Nicola Jones, Harry Jones and Cora Walsh, Odi Working Paper 294, August 2008. Science and technology are playing an increasingly important role in the policy process. The value of science and technological information is already well-established in the fields of health, agriculture and natural resource management, but issues such as climate change, food security and biotechnology have recently attracted a high profile in international policy debates about sustainable development and poverty reduction. These trends are set against a background of increasing international interest in and rhetorical commitment to evidence-informed policy dialogue and processes as a means to improve development policy and practice. Surprisingly, however, there is a dearth of research that systematically examines the science�'policy interface in developing countries. Even fewer analysts have sought to offer practical strategies and recommendations for strengthening linkages between scientific knowledge and the policy process.

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