ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â Celebrates 40 Years of Agricultural Research with a Southeast Asia Exhibition Tour

29/10/2024
Marking four decades of impactful research in the global South, ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â is launching a traveling exhibition across Continental Southeast Asia. Following its debut in Montpellier, the exhibition will tour Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Hanoi, highlighting ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â’s contributions to agroecological transition, biodiversity preservation, One Health, and food system resilience.

ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â’s 40 years anniversary exhibition’s first stop in Continental Southeast Asia is Bangkok, at the Alliance Bangkok © S. Kehavivatcharatkul, HRPP

In celebration of 40 years of impactful research in the global South, ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â (Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement) is launching "Preserving and Feeding the Planet: A Large-Format Look at the Living World," a traveling exhibition across Continental Southeast Asia.

Following its debut at the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier, this exhibition will tour Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Hanoi, highlighting ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's activities in agroecological transition, biodiversity preservation, One Health, and food system resilience in Continental Southeast Asia. Each tour stop includes images reflecting ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's core research themes and locally relevant topics that resonate with the host country's current priorities.

Bangkok, Thailand

  • Dates: Now until November 15, 2024
  • Venue: Alliance Française, Bangkok

Co-organized by ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â, the Hevea Research Platform in Partnership - HRPP platform, and the Alliance Française Bangkok, the Bangkok exhibition highlights ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's research on sustainable rubber production—a key sector in Thailand. Launching with a vernissage on November 6, the event brings together ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â PhD alumni, local research partners such as Kasetsart University, key international and local collaborators, and the French Embassy. The exhibition presents ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â and HRPP's work in developing rubber production systems that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

In addition to photography, HRPP and ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â have prepared displays and posters to introduce the public to rubber cultivation and showcase HRPP's growth through partnerships with the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT).

The opening conference will feature ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's global perspective on the rubber industry and keynote speeches from HRPP and local partners on their collaborative work toward a sustainable rubber sector. Guided tours and a panel discussion will further explore ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â and HRPP's role in aligning Thailand's sustainable agricultural practices with its socio-economic goals.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

  • Dates: November 18 - December 18, 2024
  • Venue: Institut Français du Cambodge

The Phnom Penh exhibition, co-organized by ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â, the Institut Français du Cambodge, and the French Embassy, highlights ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's work in agroecology and One Health. Curated photos prepared by ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's locally-based researchers will introduce visitors to ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's projects' practical agroecology and One Health applications in Cambodia.

Launching with a vernissage on November 18, the event will gather ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's partners, local research institutions, Cambodian government representatives, and international collaborators. This event is organized during the French embassy's scientific days, celebrating French research in Cambodia.

The vernissage will feature a panel discussion showcasing ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's vision for Cambodia's agroecological transition. In a unique format, the discussion will platform diverse voices from various levels of stakeholders in ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's local network—from farmers and community leaders to policymakers and researchers. This interactive session highlights the diverse perspectives and roles in advancing agroecological practices that enhance biodiversity, soil health, and food security across Cambodia.

Vientiane, Laos

  • Dates: November 25 - 29, 2024
  • Venue: Institut Français du Laos

Co-organized by ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â, the Institut Français du Laos, and the French Embassy, the Vientiane exhibition showcases ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's work on advancing agroecological transition and One Health initiatives in Laos. Launching with a vernissage on November 25, the event brings together ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's partners from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the National University of Laos (NUoL), the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), and international development agencies, to highlight ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's commitment to strengthening rural resilience through sustainable practices.

The vernissage features a panel discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities in improving agricultural and food systems in Laos. ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â researchers, local stakeholders, and community leaders will share insights into ongoing projects and successful local initiatives. The discussion will spotlight ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's collaborative approaches to supporting rural communities, promoting sustainable farming practices, and reinforcing local value chains.

Furthermore, throughout the week, ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â Laos' PhD students will offer guided tours in Lao, French, and English and bilingual classes to visit the exhibition and learn about ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's activities in Laos.

Hanoi, Vietnam 

  • Dates: December 2, 2024 - January 12, 2025
  • Venue: Institut Français de Hanoi

Co-organized by ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â and the Institut Français de Hanoi, the Hanoi exhibition introduces the general public to ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's research in agroecology and biodiversity in Vietnam. Through a series of 19 large-format photographs, the exhibition highlights ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's local and global efforts to support resilient food systems, sustainable farming practices, and rural livelihoods.

The exhibition will be open for six weeks, allowing visitors to explore how agroecology addresses local challenges in food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience in Vietnam's agricultural landscapes.