COMMENTS OF THE TWPS ON PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE, TECHNICAL WORKING PARTIES AND PREPARATORY WORKSHOPS Technical Working Parties Proposed conclusion General (a) conduct a survey of TWP participants in 2014 in order to identify further areas for improvement and to obtain feedback on the effectiveness of measures already taken TWA TWC TWF TWO TWV • second survey would be more effective in gathering views from more participants. • separate analysis should be prepared according to the number of sessions a respondent has participated. Respondents may have different views according to experience in UPOV meetings The survey be an additional method to express participant’s views on improving effectiveness to discussions during TWC meetings. The survey would provide opportunity for written comments and would allow participants sufficient time for elaboration. • To make the survey available during the meeting • To encourage a higher response rate • To add a question on “How to encourage participants to be prepared for the meeting” • to have the survey available during the week of the TWP meeting • to allow time for discussion on the survey agreed interesting to have feedback from participants to be decided done (b) review the TWP invitations in order to ensure that information is disseminated to all appropriate persons TWA TWC TWF TWO TWV The invitations should also reach participants to the previous session of the TWC. • To be sent by email at least 3 months before the meeting • To post the invitation on the UPOV website • To mention in the invitation the participants at the previous session • To improve distribution of the invitation but it must go through the • to periodically inform the UPOV representatives on the list of designated persons and check for updates • to make a list of designated persons accessible on the UPOV website support the idea even if the distribution to be already efficient encourage the idea of geographical distribution to be more precise on the invitation (e.g. additional costs) to ensure to reach good person in authorities distribution of invitations is governed by specific procedures designation of representative in UPOV bodies is a matter for the Council representative
• useful for participants who could not attend a session or wish to comment in written. • could reduce importance of attendance to meetings • it should be avoided that written comments submitted in advance replace discussions during the meeting. • should not become mandatory for all topics • could lead to longer documents • non-systematized information may not be useful • a blog could be established (perhaps on the UPOV website) for discussion on particular issues (n) organize a separate, annual meeting of a working group to discuss TGP documents in the week before the TC sessions in Geneva. The meetings would be open to all TC and TWP designated persons and consideration would be given to the possibility to view the meeting electronically TWA TWC TWF TWO TWV • proposal not supported • would not increase attendance • discussion on TGP documents requires inputs from crop experts during TWP sessions Proposal not supported by the TWC. Would increase cost and time to attend additional meeting. The specific of each TWP would be important for discussion of TGP documents. • Would have a big impact on cost • disconnect the experts with technical matters contained in TGP documents and disconnect TGP documents from the reality in the fields • Could be appropriate in a particular case on relevant matters (e.g. special working group) • the TWO did not support a separate meeting to discuss TGP documents • reduces the number of participating experts in discussions • discussion on TGP documents is important for capacity building in Technical Working Parties • agenda of TWPs should be balanced to allow time for discussion of relevant TGP documents • disagreed • do not see the usefulness of such separate meetings • better to have discussion in TWV • electronic means will decrease the participation in discussion • necessary to keep the experts in with technical matters and TGP documents Proposal not supported by the TWPs (o) in conjunction with this approach, to report on significant developments at TWPs, without detailed discussion of individual TGP documents to reduce the amount of time used to discuss TGP documents TWA TWC TWF TWO TWV • proposal not supported to allow time for discussion on technical matters relating to implementing the PVP system • to reduce the amount of time used to discuss TGP documents Not supported. Not supported • approach not supported • Not applicable Proposal not supported by the TWPs
• to revise the content of the preparatory workshop • could include or detail specific topics from online distance training courses DL-205 and of the Preparatory Workshop. • lead to reduction of UPOV content presented • to request participants to express main interests for clarification during the preparatory workshop • existing UPOV presentation materials could be used by presenters and tailored to suit their style • additional benefit that presenters would become more familiar with UPOV presentation and materials • should ensure that presentations by experts remain consistent with UPOV guidance participation time) and extra organization work for the UPOV Office (c) to continually renew exercises for existing topics TWA TWC TWF TWO TWV • general support for renewing exercises Case studies be presented to stimulate discussions • Agreed with examples relevant for the TWP • exercises should use examples from Test Guidelines relevant for each TWP • to develop exercises on number of notes observable and on selection of characteristics for international harmonization (asterisk) • agreed to exercises on a regular basis (d) to organize small groups of participants with different levels of experience for the group exercises TWA TWC TWF TWO TWV • useful to have to have a more experienced participant in the groups Group exercises should continue to be organized in small groups of participants with different levels of experience and from different regions. • Agreed • better interaction within participants • groups should have participants with different levels of experience • to inform on the timetable for circulation of • agreed to organize small groups of participants with different levels of experience for the group exercises as far as practical