In November 2006, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), with support from the Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Rockefeller Foundation (Southeast Asia Regional Office), organized the workshop on “Integrated Policy for Bio-innovations in Agriculture and Health in Asia” in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop brought together researchers, NGOs, and policy-makers from countries in South, Southeast and East Asia, to critically examine existing policies on bio-innovations in the region, identify existing knowledge gaps, recommend policy-relevant focuses for research and a strategy for information sharing, learning across borders and partnering in the region. Among the chief recommendations of this workshop was the need to conduct more thorough research on policy and governance systems that stimulate, enable and/or constrain bio-innovation for poverty reduction, and to examine the social, economic and ethical implications of bio-innovation.
To address the workshop’s recommendations, AIT has launched a grants awards project entitled “Enabling Bio-Innovation for Poverty Alleviation in Asia” that would organize region-wide competition of research proposals on forward-looking policy and social-related themes around bio-innovation in Asia.
2009 Small Grants Competition: A Bio-innovations Asia Project
Ninety-four concept notes were received and were evaluated by AIT Core Team principally on the basis of their relevance and directness at addressing bio-innovation and its implications on issue areas of poverty – that is, on poor peoples’ livelihood and/or basic health.
Out of the total concept notes received, 16 were shortlisted and were requested to submit fully developed proposals.
List of Winners:
1. Dr. Le Thi Van Hue of the Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES), Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Topic: Exploring Effects of Bio-innovation on Shrimp Farmers in Vietnam
2. Dr EunJeong Ma of Seoul National University, South Korea
Topic: Impacts of Bio-innovative Drug on Health Disparity between Asia and Developed Countries
3. Dr Sunita Sangar of Society for Strategy Technology Delivery &Development (Society STADD), India
Topic: Role of Professional Associations in pro-poor Biofertilizer and Biopesticide Innovation Systems
4.Dr Linda Peñalba of College of Public Affairs University of the Philippines Los Baños , Philippines
Topic: Challenges and Recommendations to Harness the Poverty Alleviation Potentials of Bio-Nitrogen Fertilizer in the Philippines
5.Dr Louis Lebel of Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Thailand
Topic: Lazy Gardens: A sustainable alternative for remote poor rural communities in northern Thailand
6.Ms Tuong Vi Pham of Center for Environment and Community Asset Development (CECAD), Vietnam
Topic: Social dimensions and institutional factors that enable and/or constrain a biogas program at community level
7.Dr Juthathip Chalermphol of Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Topic: Surge of high-input hybrid vegetable production: Is the innovation pro-poor and gender sensitive?
Learn more about their research topics and the Bio-innovations Asia Programme on 18th June 2009 9.00 am during the Launching Event and Awarding Ceremony at the Rama Gardens Hotel Vibhavadi Rangsit Road,
Bangkok .
To register, please call Mary at 02-524-5671 or email bio-innovations@ait.asia on or before 15th June 2009 (Monday).
Project's website: http://www.bioinnovationpolicies.ait.ac.th/node/71