Advanced international training programme : Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources – in Support of Innovation

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) offers Advanced International Training Programmes as part of its global development cooperation of strategic importance to the social, environmental and economic development.

Economic growth, food security, and finding responses to climate change are fundamental areas to fight poverty and its consequences, and for the implementation of Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. During the program, genetic resources at an intersection of these fundamental areas will be examined, including the cross-roads of international obligations, national innovation strategies, innovation and the needs of farmers.

This program will focus on intellectual property as a tool to support innovation in developing countries for the benefit of industry, research institutions and farmers.

The International Training Programme on “Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources – in support of innovation” is directed to persons that are policy-makers with a mandate to implement changes relevant for intellectual property and innovation in  relation to genetic resources. The target organisations are within government, research, businesses and organisations connected to intellectual property and the farming sector.

Participating organisations are expected to be open to change and to invest their own resources to achieve these changes. The programme fosters change on an individual level, organisational level and ultimately on a national level.

The programme focuses on training and supporting to strengthen, adapt and maintain capacity in participating organisations to define and achieve short- as well as long-term goals. The participants will use the latest developments in their areas of work, supervised by skilled colleagues and experts; they will develop a network of colleagues from other countries among themselves and be able to uniquely network with diverse stakeholders of genetic resources, including users, researchers, policy makers and international institutions working on genetic resources and intellectual property.

Emphasis will be made on building networks between the participants to create better understanding of the different needs and roles of various stakeholders. The programme will offer a unique opportunity to have a direct dialogue with different stakeholders and their organizations. Unique on-site study visits, scientific lectures and direct interactions with their practical Genetic Resource and Intellectual Property Rights operations will enable the participants to gain a first-hand understanding of practical questions and solutions, develop their country projects and future collaborations and support networks with the other stakeholders.

The Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) organise the programme in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) involving Swedish partners, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Swedish International Agricultural Network Initiative (SIANI) and We Effect.

THE TRAINING

The training will be carried out through lectures, discussions, case studies, practical work, and study visits. Considerable time will be devoted to the country reports, such as providing a background to the situation in the respective participants’ countries and to the country projects.

INVITED COUNTRIES

The following countries are invited to nominate candidates:

Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

The Programme is directed towards policymakers and their advisers as well as persons at a senior decision-making level from the government sector, the university or other research organisation, the private sector or farming organisation who are or who will be involved in issues concerning intellectual property or innovation in relation to genetic resources.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Only candidates nominated by an appropriate organisation and in accordance with national rules will be considered.

The participants accepted to the programme shall be obliged to participate in all phases of the programme. Substitutes will not be accepted for any of the phases.

Management approval for all participation and project work is mandatory.

The participant should have proficiency in the use of computers (word processing) and access to computers with Internet connection in the home country (for e-mail communications).

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The training programme will be organised and conducted in English. Candidates from countries where English is not an official language should do a language test with an official body in the home country, unless other documentation to support for her/his ability can be provided. Proficiency in English shall be certified in the Application form.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Considering the training programme consists of international travels and work away from home in a new environment, good health and full working capacity is conditioned. It is therefore recommended that candidates undergo a medical examination before filling in the Medical Statement in the Application form.

COSTS

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) will cover all costs related to all programme phases except personal expenses, visa fees or any local airport taxes and departure fees.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application should be written on the special form attached and include a recent photograph and required information and documents, including a tentative outline of the country project. When necessary, the application should be approved by the official nominating authority in your country.

Application in original with required signatures and attachments should be submitted to the nearest Swedish Embassy/ Consulate. If there is no appropriate Swedish Embassy/Consulate in your country, the application should be submitted directly to the Training Programme Secretariat.

Closing date for applications:› 23 November, 2018

Applications submitted after closing date will not be considered.

Application form

SELECTION PROCESS

Selected candidates will be notified by e-mail. Once selected, the candidate must confirm participation.

A letter of Acceptance will be sent out, containing information on participation in the programme and the practical arrangements.

Selected candidates shall be aware of the commitment to participate in all phases of the programme.

For more information,please visit https://itp.sida.se/itp/