Thursday 24 October

12:30

Registration

13:00

Lunch

14.00

Welcome and overview of the programme

Aleksandar Mešić, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia 

Maria Knutson Wedel, ICA President & Vice Chancellor, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden

Session 1 The Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture

14.15

Keynote: Searching for Common Solutions: the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture and Next Steps
Ricard Ramon, Deputy Head of Unit, Policy Perspectives, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission, BE

15.00 

Coffee break

Session 2 The Strategic Dialogue on the EU Future of Agriculture: Implications for policy and policy support

15:30

Keynote 1: Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture: reflection on the policy implications from economic perspectives
Krijn Poppe, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, NL

see A note for the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, Krijn Poppe, 8 May 2024

16:00

Keynote 2: How the EU research Framework Programme supports EU Agricultural and Environmental policy and the Strategic Dialogue.
Paul Webb, Head of the “Green Europe” Department, European Research Executive Agency, Brussels, BE

16.30

Reflection by Life Science Universities on the need for further Strategic Dialogues on the future of EU Agriculture and Forestry

From the Agricultural and Food System perspective
Frank Monahan, Dean, Agriculture and Food Science Centre, University College Dublin, IE

From the Forestry perspective
Jukka Tikkanen, Head of School, School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, FI

From the Biodiversity perspective
Michael Jones, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, SE

17.00

Closure

17.05

ICA Excellence Award Ceremony

17.45

Return by bus to Zagreb city centre and walk to hotels

19.30

Forum Reception and Dinner

Friday 25 October

9.00

Welcome: Recap of session 1 and 2 & review of Day 2 programme

Session 3 Research, innovation and outreach in connection to the outcome of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture

9.10

Keynote: On research and innovation: how life science universities do and can contribute to sustainable food systems
Joost Dessein, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, BE

9.40

Short 10 minute Case Study interventions:  “The Research priorities of my university/faculty in addressing the strategic challenges related to the future of agriculture"

• Integrating EIT Food and Strategic Dialogue in Advancing Agricultural Innovation at LBTU
  Irina Arhipova, Rector, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Jelgava, LT

• Bordeaux Sciences Agro Research and Innovation to support agricultural and food transitions
  Sabine Brun, Director, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Gradignan, Fr

• New Fruit Species for climate change
  Florin Stanica, Vice Rector, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Bucharest, RO

• Sustainable agricultural production and the related societal challenges
  Jos Van Orshoven, KU Leuven, Leuven, BE

10.30

Coffee Break

Session 4 Educational programmes in connection to the outcome of the Strategic Dialogue on the EU Future of Agriculture

11.00

Keynote: Do Life Science University graduates have the skills to cocreate environmental and social policies?
Sebastian Goerg, TUMCS for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Straubing, DE

11.30

Short 10 minute Case Study interventions:  “Educational approaches at my university/faculty delivering graduates that have the knowledge, skills and attitudes for addressing the strategic challenges related to the future of agriculture”

• Teaching methods to address the strategic challenges facing the future of agriculture: Experience of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy
  Astrida Miceikienė, Chancellor, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, Kaunas, LT

• Educational approaches at the University of Agriculture in Krakow - preparing graduates for the strategic challenges related to the future of agriculture
  Andrzej Sechman, Vice Rector for Cooperation, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, PL

• Educational Guidelines in the Grand Est Region: Preparing for Future Agriculture through an Industrial Biotechnologies Lens
  Cécile Ernst, Alliance de la formation et de la recherche pour l’agriculture (Agreenium), Paris FR

• Education and Nature-Based Solutions: enable society to bend the curve for biodiversity
  Bart Kapteijns, Avans University of Applied Science, Breda, NL

12.15

Discussion Groups: response to sessions 3 and 4 in relation to the outcomes of the Strategic Dialogue on the future for EU agriculture.

13:00

Closure of the Rectors and Deans Forum 2024

14:00

The future for sustainable wine production: from vineyard to bottle

Viruses of grapevine: Croatian contribution to global knowledge
Darko Vončina:

Terroir, soil management, land degradation, and mitigation strategies. How can we ensure longevity and productive vineyards in climatically changed conditions?
Igor Bogunović:

The exploitation of Croatian grapevine genetic resources for the breeding of new resistant cultivars
Darko Preiner:

New perspectives in Croatian wine  production, analytics, and education
Ana-Marija Jagatić Korenika:

Wine tasting and sensory workshop – selection of Croatian wines and tasting under guidance by colleagues from Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Chair:  Alex Evans, School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin, IE

Matthieu Laneuville, Program Manager AI, SURF Innovation Laboratory, Utrecht, NL
            see the video recording here

Alistair Nolan, Senior Policy Analyst, Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation, OECD, Paris, FR.
            see the video recording here

Four short 10 minute interventions:  Case Studies of "how my university/faculty is addressing the strategic management challenges of AI in research, innovation or education"

1. To ChatGPT or Not To ChatGPT ? Impact on Teaching Practices at Ghent University.
   Mieke Uyttendaele, Director of Studies, Faculty of Bio-Science Engineering, UGent, BE
2. The impact of generative AI on teaching and research @ Wageningen University & Research.
   Athur Mol, Wageningen University and Research, NL
3. Digitalization initiatives for study quality improvement and research in Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.
   Irina Pilvere, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Jelgava, LV
4. The influence of Artificial Intelligence on agriculture, the perspective of the Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb University.
   Ivica Kisić, Zagreb University, HR

9.40

Keynote: The challenge to develop interdisciplinary education programmes focusing on the One Health Triad
Susanna Sternberg-Lewerin, SLU Future One Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE
            see the video recording here

Keynote: How university is addressing the strategic management challenges of One Health in research, education and society.
Laurent Buisson and Julia Zinsmeister, AgroParisTech, Palaiseau, FR
            see the video recording here

11.10

Four short 10 minute interventions:  Case Studies of "how my university/faculty is addressing the strategic management challenges of One Health in research, education and in society

1. The One Health integrated approach from the standpoint of agriculture practices and food systems : challenges for education and training in France,
   Alessia Lefebure, Dean of L'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, FR
2. One Health Initiatives in the College of Health and Agricultural Sciences at University College Dublin.
   Frank Monahan, Dean School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin, IE
3. KU Leuven One Health Institute.
   Robbert Boudewijns, One Health Institute, KU Leuven, BE
4. UNILASALLE strategy to tackle One Health challenges.
   Philippe Choquet, Institut Polytechnique UNILASALLE, Beauvais, FR

Monday 9 October at 13.00 – 14.00 CEST

Webinar: ICA Forum Webinar 2023 October - Stef Bronzwaer.pdf
Stef Bronzwaer, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, IT
       

Tuesday 10 October at 13.00 – 14.00 CEST

Webinar: Healthy Animals from the One Health perspective
Annemarie Rebel, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research Institute, Wageningen University and Research, NL
        see the video recording here

Wednesday 11 October at 13.00 – 14.00 CEST

Webinar: Healthy Environment from the One Health perspective
Raf Aerts, Part-time Professor, KU Leuven and part-time researcher Sciensano, Belgian One Health Institute.
        see the video recording here

16.15

Coffee and Registration

ICA General Assembly

19.30

Forum Welcome Reception & Walking Dinner

8.00

Transfer by bus from hotels to Agriculture Academy of the Vytautas Magnus University

8.30

Registration & welcome coffee

9.00

Welcome to the Forum

Arthur Mol, President of ICA & Representative from Vytautas Magnus University

9.15

Keynote: Biodiversity policy implementation in Lithuania: challenges and achievements
Simonas Gentvilas, Minister of the Environment, Republic of Lithuania

9.45

Keynote: Bending the curve of terrestrial biodiversity needs an integrated strategy
 David Leclère, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA); Laxenburg; AT

10.15

Keynote: The Economics of Biodiversity:
Partha Dasgupta, University of Cambridge, UK

10.45

Coffee break

11.15

Keynote: Biodiversa+, the European biodiversity partnership: history, objectives and main achievements
Claire Bléry, European Biodiversity Partnership (Biodiversa+), Paris, FR

11.45

Discussion

13.30

Keynote: Enhancement of biodiversity in agriculture arable and grassland systems
Helen Sheridan, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, IE

14.00

Keynote: Enhancement of biodiversity in forestry systems
Bart Muys, Division of Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KULeuven, BE

14.30

Five short interventions:  Case Studies of how my university engages with society through education and outreach to encourage engagement with and enhancement of biodiversity.

• Stephan Dabbert, University of Hohenheim, DE
• Anna Chełmońska-Soyta, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, PL
• Janna Pietikäinen, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, FI
• Simon Mortimer, University of Reading, UK•

15.15

Coffee

15.45

Breakout round table discussions groups

16.15

Plenary Report back

16.45

Closure Session2 and short break

19.30

Bus pick up from hotels to go to Raudondvaris Castle

20.00

Gala Dinner, Raudondvaris Castle

8.00

Transfer by bus from hotels to Agriculture Academy of the Vytautas Magnus University

8.50

Keynote: Knowledge security experiences and practice AgroParisTech
Laurent Buisson, Directeur Général AgroParisTech, Paris, FR

Keynote: Knowledge security experiences and practices Estonian University of the Life Sciences
Mait Klaassen, Rector Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) EE

10.00

Plenary Report back

10.30

Forum Closure

Packed lunch available to pick up

11.00

Depart for Vilnius Airport by bus (the trip to Vilnius airport will take maximum of 2 hours)

Post Forum Tour "Biodiversity, history and cultural heritage Kaunas Region"

There is no extra charge for this Tour, but must be booked on your registration form or reservation by email after registration to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Tour is offered by the Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University

Tour returns to Kaunas