In the last decade, the use of virtual media and tools to reinforce technical assistance in isolated communities or to facilitate access to professional training or international exchanges has grown considerably in Latin America. Enabling conditions such as extended internet signal coverage, better access to training centres or smart devices, availability of platforms or applications for exchanges with target groups and the routine use of digital devices in many people's daily lives have facilitated the development of virtual offerings on the agendas of development cooperation organisations, extension services and academic or vocational training centres. However, it was when the health restrictions that came to the region with the COVID19 pandemic that virtual offers practically exploded in 2020.

This seminar presents three examples of virtual solutions that respond to training needs at three levels: farming families, technical professionals, and scientists and decision makers. Fundación Aldea / Aldea Global Village is currently validating a tool with coffee producers in Nicaragua offering virtual technical assistance for crop management. The Centro Universitario del Oriente of the University of San Carlos, Guatemala is implementing the Diploma on Adaptation to Climate Change for Resilient Food Production and Food and Nutritional Security in the Trifinio Region, aimed at technical staff from public institutions and non-governmental organisations. The Adamantina University Centre, Sao Paulo, Brazil, is organising an international congress that aims to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences on resilient food production.

Date: September 16, 2020. 

Time: 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. (Bogotá, Colombia time)   

See the video of the September 16 webinar: