Through their advisory activities which involve frequent missions to countries worldwide, they keep abreast of current trends and developments. IAC has experts in training management and organization as well as subject matter specialists. The IAC regular training programme comprises a series of residential courses held annually in Wageningen in the Netherlands. These courses cover diverse topics in a broad range of areas including, rural extension, food and nutrition, crop production, gender, rural development, fisheries and aquaculture, livestock production, community forestry, environmental technology and sustainable land use. These courses are designed for groups of 20 to 25 participants, with the exception of the rural extension programme which has 70-80 participants annually.
Courses are of one to five months duration and are conducted in English with some also in French.
Training goals and approach The chief goal is to upgrade and expand the knowledge, skills and insights of professionals, especially people in mid-career. This is post-graduate training with a strong practical, task and job orientation focus. Courses follow a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating technological developments with environmental and gender issues and giving emphasis to communication and extension techniques. Training is based on the principles of adult learning and is characterized by interactive learning with the trainer acting as facilitator. Attention is given to selecting participants on the basis of their professional tasks and the multiplier effect of their IAC training on strengthening the organization for which they work.