TRAINING & OUTREACH

Training and outreach goals are integrated throughout the CRSP portfolio. Each project involves degree students, holds workshops or conferences, and engages stakeholders and others through dedicated outreach activities. In 2008, over 100 degree students are involved in AquaFish CRSP activities worldwide.

The modern fishfarming enterprise is knowledge-based, whether in economically advanced or developing countries. Practitioner knowledge is driving the industry to increase productivity. Research is needed to prevent aquaculture from undermining itself through environmental degradation and negative impacts on wild fisheries. A participatory process involving public-private partnerships can engage Host Country stakeholders in an international network (such as the AquaFish CRSP) and provide them critical information for self-governance. Ultimately, building human capacity and a knowledge-base for good governance, codes of practice, standards, and best practices will enhance the sustainability of aquaculture and fisheries. 

Maximizing Training and Capacity Building
Capacity building is critical to an effective dissemination strategy. The CRSP enterprise engages the services of many professionals and institutions to achieve success. This synergistic participation benefits from building additional expert capacity throughout the CRSP network. CRSP short- and long-term training and capacity building efforts will ensure equitable access of individuals of both sexes and an understanding of the societal benefits of involving women colleagues in training opportunities. CRSP training and capacity building initiatives are designed in a manner that benefits targeted stakeholders in both the US and Host Countries. CRSP short- and long-term training and capacity building focuses on four specific levels of engagement: Institutional, Researcher, Extension Services, and End-Users.

Gender Integration
The degree of hunger within a society is in large part associated with the status of women – the family nutritional gatekeepers. USAID policy requires that gender issues be addressed in all funded activities. CRSP integrates gender considerations by:
   •Collecting disaggregated gender data throughout the implementation of the program and the individual research and outreach projects funded by CRSP.
   •Requiring that all funded projects address gender inclusiveness within their planned scope-of-work.
   •Promoting the participation of women in formal and informal education and training opportunities provided through the CRSP. The CRSP has a 50% benchmark for training women in formal and informal education. In addition, women scientists and administrators are encouraged to participate in all CRSP activities, as project researchers, advisory group members, and CRSP Ambassadors to USAID Missions.