First Annual Meeting of The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS)

Background

The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS), the first of its kind community of experts, champions, policy makers and practitioners from different sectors committed to advancing extension and Rural Advisory Services (RAS) across the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, was officially launched on 8 February 2024. 

With a clear vision of contributing to rural transformation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFRAS actively engages in fostering networking, knowledge sharing, and learning among RAS stakeholders from different sectors. AFRAS places a strong emphasis on creating inclusive, gender-responsive, pluralistic, market-oriented, and demand-driven systems, underscoring its commitment to catalyzing positive change and sustainable development in rural communities. 

The growing AFRAS community currently comprises 120 members including policymakers, practitioners, experts, and champions of RAS across the Arab region and beyond. The AFRAS institutional set-up is organized into four main bodies: the Focal Points Network (FPN) officially appointed by the Ministries of Agriculture of 16 countries in the region; the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) composed of seven champions of RAS providing strategic guidance; the Secretariat including four members of FAO and IFAD professionals; and the wider AFRAS community represented in the general assembly. 

At this stage of the AFRAS development, it becomes essential to convene the community to foster dialogue and exchange knowledge on the status of extension and RAS systems across the region from an innovation in policy and practice perspective; and to catalyze engagement of community members in the delivery of  AFRAS functions at the regional and the country level. Upon the kind invitation of the Ministry of Agriculture of Jordan, the first annual meeting of AFRAS will take place in Amman, Jordan, from 29 to 31 July 2024, Under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan, FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Near East and North Africa. The meeting is organized by FAO in close collaboration with IFAD and the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture. 

The theme of the 1st Annual meeting is ‘Innovation in policies and practices for modernizing RAS in Arab Countries’. The theme is particularly relevant and impactful for the first annual meeting of AFRAS as an emerging institution that brings together policymakers, champions and practitioners concerned with bolstering extension and RAS as a catalyst for inclusive transformation. The topic is also inspired by the recent issuing of the Jordanian National Extension Services Plan (2024-2030), testifying to the importance of policy formulation for advancing extension and RAS. 

Objectives

Strengthen networking and exchange of knowledge on trends and innovations in extension and rural advisory services in Arab countries.

Facilitate dialogue on effective policy options and innovative practices for modernizing extension and RAS systems in the region.

 Discuss the operations of AFRAS and streamlining its technical functions.

Outcome 

The envisaged outcome of the First Annual meeting will include: 

• A compendium of good practices in modernizing extension and RAS from an innovative policy and practice perspective.
• An action plan for engagement and delivery of AFRAS functions at the regional and in-country level.

Format and venue

The event will take place in Amman, Jordan, from 29 to 31 July 2024. The event will be held in a hybrid mode with simultaneous interpretation available in Arabic, English and French. 

Participants

The meeting envisages participation in two modes: in-person and online. The event is open to all members of the AFRAS community in addition to individuals and organizations engaged in RAS across the region and beyond, including donors, policymakers, practitioners, and champions. Participants will reflect the diversity of the AFRAS community members including the public and the private sector, the academia, and the civil society. Particular attention will be devoted to engaging the youth in the event. 

Sponsorship will cover participants from various stakeholders reflecting the diversity within the AFRAS community to be selected through a call for papers/posters. The Secretariat will issue a call for case studies/good practices around the theme of the conference. Received submissions will be assessed by the TAC who will determine eligibility for sponsorship. Self-funded participation and co-sponsorship are also welcomed, particularly by stakeholders of the private sector and representatives of international and regional organizations. Online participation is open for all members of the AFRAS community and interested external stakeholders.

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