CATIE-IICA Graduates Seek to Strengthen Ties to Confront Climate Challenges

• The meeting also focused its attention on the Graduate School, recognized as a regionally significant heritage.

July 21, 2023. This Friday, the IX CATIE-IICA Graduates Meeting was held in the Henry A. Wallace main building's former directors' hall, with the aim of fostering stronger connections among alumni from all CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) education programs, at a critical moment for humanity marked by the climate crisis and the challenges the institution is undertaking for the next 50 years.

The event, organized by AGCATIE (CATIE Graduates Association), is part of their efforts to maintain a solid and more relevant alliance in the face of the environmental and agricultural challenges that the region is confronting.

During the official opening ceremony, Dr. Leida Mercado, Director of the Division of Research for Inclusive Green Development, representing CATIE's Director General, Muhammad Ibrahim, warmly welcomed the attendees and mentioned that gathering a part of the graduates at the event was a testament to the unbreakable bond shared as members of this educational and research community.

"We invite you to reflect on the challenges facing our Latin American and Caribbean region in terms of sustainable use of its resources in rural areas, poverty alleviation, and the impacts of climate change," she said.

Fernando Casanoves, Director of the Division of Education, emphasized that the time spent in CATIE's classrooms is a crucial turning point in any professional's career and an exceptional source of learning. "With this meeting, you have a unique opportunity to reconnect with your roots, remember those days of study and cultural exchange, and celebrate the legacy you have built together as part of this great CATIE family," he stated.

Jeanette Cárdenas, President of AGCATIE, affirmed that "the birth of CATIE in 1943, amid a world war, marked an important milestone for food security in the Americas and the world." She also welcomed the graduates present in the hall and those participating virtually from their own countries or representing their delegations.  

Miguel Arvelo, Chief of Staff of IICA (Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture), representing its Director, Manuel Otero, mentioned that this type of activity leads to celebrating and reflecting on the 50 years that the institution has been working effectively. "There are many needs and opportunities that we believe are our responsibility to face, such as human talent development," he pointed out.

"The objective of the meeting is to discuss CATIE's challenges and commitments in this new stage, addressing present-day challenges and the necessary synergy to advance together with other institutions such as IICA, agriculture and environment ministries of the countries, collaborators, researchers, students, and alumni," mentioned the official program among its main goals.

The event also focused on CATIE's Postgraduate School, recognized as a regional heritage of great significance. Participants highlighted the importance of this institution as a source of knowledge that drives regional development.

At the end of the Friday morning session, an interesting panel was held where concerns were shared both by AGCATIE members and by the authorities present on how to further strengthen partnerships and collaborations to confront the climate crisis and develop joint solutions benefiting the graduate community and the region as a whole.