Baghdad: A needs assessment workshop for the creation of a national committee for technical and vocational agricultural education and training (TVET) was held in Baghdad.
This committee would help harmonize various activities undertaken by key partners to reform agriculture-related TVET in Iraq.
Representatives of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and Foreign Affairs, the Delegation of the European Union (EU), UNESCO, ILO, FAO, GIZ, the private sector and the project BRIDGE, a project funded by the Canadian government to support the transition of young men and women and adult women to new livelihoods, attended the workshop
The European Union Delegation in Iraq presented its new agricultural TVET project. UNESCO presented its current TVET reforms while the Ministry of Agriculture highlighted its strategy and plans that affect agriculture-related TVET.
Participants discussed current TVET reform initiatives, possibilities for greater coordination and the benefits of establishing a national agricultural TVET committee, which could provide an overall strategy for TVET linked agriculture to increase alignment, reduce duplication and highlight gaps in current activities.
During the workshop, it was agreed that the proposals would be reviewed by various partners and a decision would be made in the coming month.
Ms. Barbara Egger, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation, said: “This workshop provides an opportunity for partners to come together to better understand each other’s current activities with the aim of ensuring better alignment and impact. “.
Mr. Faisal, from the Ministry of Agriculture, speaking on the occasion, said: “The workshop highlighted the range of activities underway to support the agricultural sector. Through these combined efforts to reform the TVET system, the agricultural sector can increase its productivity and contribution to the economy.”
Mr. Eric Buchot from ITC said that “TVET is vitally important as an engine for job creation and productivity”. He added that it was crucial to “ensure that young people emerge from TVET and higher education institutions with the skills and practical knowledge that will enable them to take up jobs in the sector, and to ensure that today’s workforce has access to courses that enable them to innovate and grow their businesses”.
The workshop was organized by the International Trade Center (ITC) and is part of a five-year project “Strengthening the Agriculture and Agribusiness Value Chain and Improving Trade Policy in Iraq” (SAAVI). This €22.5 million project, funded by the European Union, aims to contribute to inclusive growth and job creation for Iraqi citizens, especially young people. It aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the Iraqi agribusiness value chain, while improving the country’s trade policy. It is hoped that over time, projects aimed at improving the competitiveness of the private sector can revitalize Iraq’s bid to join the World Trade Organization.
About the International Trade Center
The International Trade Center (ITC, www.intracen.org) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN), entirely dedicated to supporting the development and internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable growth and development through trade and international business development. ITC is a resident agency of the United Nations in Iraq with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
About SAAV:
SAAVI contributes to inclusive economic growth and job creation, especially for young people in Iraq, by improving the competitiveness of the country’s agriculture and supporting trade development. The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and is part of the EU Special Measure for Iraq 2019, which aims to support stabilization and governance by strengthening the capacities of key Iraqi institutions to deliver services as well as the creation of sustainable jobs through the development of human capital and the private sector.
Media contacts
Delegation of the European Union to Iraq
Al-Sadiq Al-Adilee — Press and Information Officer
international trade center
Waqas Rafique, Public Information Officer
United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
Public Information Office (PIO) – Baghdad
Telephone: +39 083 105 2640 or +39 083 105 2644
Email: [email protected]
