This page represents the previous team structure for Excellence in Breeding and is for historical reference only. Since 2022, EiB modules now operate primarily through CGIAR Initiatives on Breeding Resources, Accelerated Breeding, and Market Intelligence.
8.30 |
Cross-CGIAR activitiesAfter setting expectations for the day, the EiB team will deliver a presentation on potential shared services and cross-CGIAR activities which will then be discussed in groups by region, including next steps for implementation. Cross-center initiatives (pdf) > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
9.20 |
Advancement meeting: institutional & cultural change componentsThis session will begin with a wrap-up of the previous days' work on advancement meetings, after which they will break into groups to discuss 4 topics: Target product profiles, Implementing performance metrics, Leading from the front, and Role specialization.
> Elm C & D |
10.20 |
Coffee> Foyer |
11.00 |
Advancement meeting: putting the parts togetherEach group will report back on the key learnings on each topic: what works, what can be improved, and what practical steps can we take next? EiB will capture this input to develop a common guideline for implementing an advancement meeting, and as a general guide to change. Advancement meeting learnings (pdf) > Sequoia 1, 2 & 3 |
12.00 |
Lunch & check-out> Patio restaurant |
13.30 |
Working groups: Jointly defining Center-level action plans for the next yearBased on the discussions of the day, participants will break out into groups defined by Centers to identify step-by-step actions that will result in change towards the vision over the next year. > Sequoia 1, 2 & 3 |
15.40 |
Coffee> Foyer |
16.20 |
Sharing session: Center level action plansEach center shares their plans for the next 12 months, including next first step. > Sequoia 1, 2 & 3 |
17.00 |
Concluding remarksReturning to the vision presented and developed during the meeting, the EiB will summarize what has taken place, identify immediate post-meeting activities and set expectations for the next year. > Sequoia 1, 2 & 3 |
17.30 |
Social session |
18.30 |
Dinner> Patio restaurant |
8.30 |
EiB's role in supporting changeWe all recognize the need for continuous improvement, but how can we make the big changes we have identified, and what is the role of EiB in bringing this about? The EiB team will present and take questions on our role and activities for the next year. Michael Quinn - EiB's role in supporting change (pdf) > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
9.20 |
Experience: Implementing the vision for CGIAR breedingOver the last year, EiB has been working closely with individual breeding programs to provide consultation and identify opportunities for improvement and modernization. Jan Debaene and B.M. Prasanna will recall experiences of progress in achieving the common vision. Jan Debaene - Modernising ICRISAT Crop Improvement Through the Support of AVISA (pdf) |
9.45 |
Open session: Identifying practical solutionsThis is an open participation session in which the goal is for you to help us to identify the barriers that you see to bringing this vision to reality for your situation. Tell us in what ways EiB can strategically consider your specific needs and help you coordinate your changes with other programs. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
10.45 |
Group photo & Coffee> Gather in foyer (photo takes place in terrace) |
11.20 |
Sponsoring, coaching & implementing changeAchieving the common vision for change will take more than making decisions or providing resources: leaders will need to act as role models, support staff through each step and create the conditions for change to be possible. Jonathan Shaver - Sponsoring, coaching & implementing change (pdf) > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
12.00 |
Experience: Learning from changeChange is still hard: barriers both expected and unexpected will be faced, and adjustments may have to be made on the way. Leon Broers (KWS) and Geoff Graham (Corteva) will share learning from their experiences. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
12.30 |
Lunch> Patio restaurant |
13.50 |
Introduction: Implementing changeFrom this point on, we will roll up our sleeves and talk about the practical ways we can implement change. Just as when driving change, active participation of leadership in these sessions is required! The EiB team will present on the key concepts and features that can be implemented in order to enable modernization. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
14.20 |
Deep dive: Advancement meetingsUsing the topic of an annual advancement meeting as an example, we will conduct a role-playing session in which participants will break into group and act out different roles and stages in a product advancement meeting, using metrics and examples to show how a cross-functional team determines which breeding program products move forward. Once the role-playing session is completed, participants will break into groups to come with answers to practical questions about how an advancement meeting can be set up. Supporting materials: Introduction to advancement meetings (pdf) > Elm C & D |
15.15 |
Coffee> Foyer |
15.55 |
Working groups: Advancement meetingsContinuation of the previous exercise. > Elm C & D |
17.30 |
Social> Foyer |
18.30 |
Dinner> Patio Restaurant |
8.30 |
Welcome: A vision for CGIAR breedingFollowing a welcome address, Marco Ferroni (CGIAR) will set the context for the needs and requirements of change in CGIAR breeding programs. Michael Quinn (EiB) will then share a high-level vision for the modernization of breeding based on the previous year of direct collaboration with CGIAR, NARS and private sector breeding programs. Michael Quinn - Vision for CGIAR breeding (presentation - pdf) Vision for CGIAR breeding (handout - pdf) Poster: Components of a world-class breeding program (pdf) > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
10.00 |
Funders' feedbackNora Lapitan (USAID) will present on the support provided by Crops to End Hunger (CtEH), before joining Gary Atlin, Jeff Ehlers and Jim Lorenzen (Gates Foundation), and Michel Bernhardt (GIZ) for a panel session highlighting the dialogue that has taken place between EiB and Funders. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
10.30 |
Survey of participantsIn a quick interactive survey (have an internet-connected device ready), we will gauge participants' reactions to the vision of change presented and how it fits into their breeding programs and the CGIAR system. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
10.40 |
Coffee> Foyer |
11.20 |
Open session: Defining the way forwardQuestion and answer session to gather feedback on the vision for CGIAR breeding. The objective is to work towards clarity and a common understanding of the goal for modernization. Worksheet: Clarity of the EiB vision > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
12.20 |
Lunch> Patio restaurant |
13.40 |
Recap: Defining the way forwardBased on the previous discussion and feedback submitted online, the EiB team will return a summary of what we heard, and reflect on how the vision for CGIAR breeding can be refined for better communication with your own teams. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
14.00 |
National breeding program feedbackBuilding on the feedback and opportunities outlined by breeding program leaders, national agricultural research program leaders present will join Biswanath Das (EiB) in discussing opportunities for collaboration and modernization in NARS breeding programs. Felister Makini - EiB/KALRO engagement Yona Baguma & Godfrey Asea - NARO breeding program status and modernization priorities > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
14.30 |
Private sector feedbackA panel session of representatives from private industry will provide deeper insight into the changes, challenges and opportunities identified for CGIAR and NARS breeding programs. Panel participants: Geoff Graham & Tom Sauber (Corteva), Monica Menz (Syngenta), Stella Salvo & Pierre Sehabiague (Bayer), Leon Broers (KWS). > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
15.00 |
Coffee> Foyer |
15.40 |
Feedback from BPATChris Lambrides (BPAT leader, University of Queensland) will share his thoughts on the vision, and how they can partner with you to track progress it. Christopher Lambrides - Breeding Program Assessment Tool: Maximizing genetic gain > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
15.50 |
Experience: Stories of changeChanges in the private sector are both often and large. Monica Menz (Syngenta) will discuss why changes are embarked on, and the differences between those who are successful and those who are not. Monica Menz - Change, personal reflections > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
16.20 |
Reflection session alongside the private sector panelThis is the second open participation session of the day. After hearing several presentations on the subject of how to create change, this is an opportunity to discuss the role of leadership in bringing about change in your own breeding programs, as well as ask specific questions to the speakers. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
17.00 |
Social session: Funders' forumAn opportunity to hear from and ask questions of Funder representatives present at the meeting in an informal setting accompanied by refreshments. The focus will be on how funders have influenced the vision and how funding will drive the strategic implementation of changes that must take place to achieve the vision. > Sequoia 2 & 3 |
18.30 |
Dinner> Patio restaurant |
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What does an efficient, effective and client-oriented modern breeding program look like?
With the center improvement plans introduced in 2018 now underway, we wish to use this opportunity to develop a consensus definition of the modern breeding program including components, structures and functions. We will then define a roadmap going forward, defining roles, responsibilities, EiB and Crops to End Hunger support to the CGIAR breeding program modernization process.
Final agenda and event info (pdf)
Steigenberger Airport Hotel Amsterdam
Stationsplein ZW 951
1117 CE Schiphol-Oost/Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 5400-777
Ground floor and meeting room map
Getting to the hotel from the airport
A free airport shuttle service is located at the bus stop number A9, directly outside arrivals at Schiphol Airport on the right hand side. You just have to follow the yellow sign with "Hotel Shuttle Bus Stops" and you will end up at the right Bus stop, named Steigenberger.
Transfer times
From the hotel to Schiphol Airport the first shuttle departs at 6:00 am and the last shuttle will depart at 11:30 pm.
From Schiphol Airport to the hotel the first shuttle departs at 6:15 am and the last shuttle will depart at 11:45 pm.
Since 2022, funding for the Excellence in Breeding EiB) Platform comes primarily from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
We would also like to thank all funders who have support this work over the years through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund, as well as support recieved from the Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) initiative, supported by:
EiB works across a range of CGIAR and other partners, including:
EiB works with and creates benefits for, four different stakeholder groups: Users, Contributors and Members, in addition to Funders of our work that will benefit from the transparency of information created by the Platform.
The Platform welcomes members and contributors from CGIAR centers, national agricultural research systems, advanced research centers and the private sector.
While the users of tools and services provided by the platform are breeders of crops and livestock for farmers in the developing world, the Platform also welcomes contributors from the international private sector.
