12th ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2022 Programme

Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA) 

Bending the Curve for Biodiversity: challenges and opportunities for life science universities
&

Life science universities addressing
Knowledge Security

 was held on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 October 2022

at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, Lithuania

Download the Forum flyer

WEDNESDAY 19 October

Location: Vytautas Magnus university (VMU) in the centre of Kaunas: S. Daukanto str. 28, small hall 2nd floor.

16.15

Coffee and Registration

17.00

ICA General Assembly

18.30 Presentation EU Biodiversity strategy - forward looking approach, today relevant more than ever
Marius Vaščega- Head of the European Commission's Representation in Vilnius, Lithuania (from 2022 February). Earlier 2019 - 2022 Head of the Cabinet of Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries.

19.30

Forum Welcome Reception & Walking Dinner

THURSDAY 20 October

Location: Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA), Studentų str. 11, Akademija Kaunas District

Session 1 Addressing biodiversity loss

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

  Chair Session 1
Jos Van Orshoven, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KULeuven, BE

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

12.30 Lunch

Session 2 Nature based solutions in Agricultural and Forestry Systems to support the enhancement of biodiversity

  Chair Session 2
Alex Evans, School Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, IE

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.

15.15

Coffee

15.45

Breakout round table discussions groups

16.15

Plenary Report back

16.45

Closure Session2 and short break

17.00 ICA Excellence Award 2022 Ceremony:
Announcement & Presentation of the achievements of the winner
Acceptance speech by the winner
17.45 Return by bus to the hotels

19.30

Bus pick up from hotels to go to Raudondvaris Castle

20.00

Gala Dinner, Raudondvaris Castle

FRIDAY 21 October
Session 3 Addressing Knowledge Security

8.00

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

8.30 Chair Session 3: European knowledge security in a polarised world
Arthur Mol, President of ICA & Rector Magnificus Wageningen University and Research, NL

8.50

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

9.05

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

9.20 Coffee & Breakout round table discussions groups

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)

  OR
11.00

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

16.30

Tour returns to Kaunas

Download the Forum flyer

Please note that "Kaunas is the European Capital of Culture' 2022". Information about the events can be found here https://kaunas2022.eu/en/about-the-project/