The PRESA International Advisory Committee will hold its third meeting on March 23^rd at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi.

The Committee will elect its chair in a closed session later the same day. The current Chair is Balaram Thapa, representing Care Tanzania which is working with PRESA at the Uluguru Mountains.

The meeting also marks the beginning of a two week long training workshop organized by PRESA and the Macaulay Institute from Scotland.

During the day long meeting, the International Advisory Committee will review achievements since PRESA began a year ago. Committee members will review PRESA’s plans for 2009 and discuss opportunities that will further strengthen partnership among PRESA partners.

The International Advisory Committee was established to advise, guide and provide strategic direction in the planning, implementation, communication and evaluation of PRESA. The Committee comprises the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), ICRAF, representatives of the landscape and national contact organizations, representatives of the private sector, key donor agencies and other international organizations involved in the project.

The Committee is involved at all levels of monitoring through the annual review of progress and work plans. It provides independent comment on PRESA to IFAD and responds to IFAD evaluation reports. Group members represent PRESA at national, regional and international conferences and events.

IFAD is a key funder for the PRESA project alongside the European Union and the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 2008 – 2009 International Advisory Committee first met in Entebbe, Uganda in February 2008. The full membership of the IAC is:

Guinea

• Serge Ngendekumana – Lamil Project Leader, ICRAF-Guinea

Kenya

• David Nyantika Onsare – Ministry of Agriculture
• Antti Erkkila – Counsellor (Forests), Embassy of Finland
• Sjef Kauffman – Green Water Credits Project Manager, ISRIC – World Soil Information

Tanzania

• Thapa Balaram, Care-Tanzania (IAG chair)
• Monica Kagya, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism – Department of Forest and Bee Keeping
• Jeremias Mowo – Coordinator, African Highlands Initiative

Uganda

• Ronald Kaggwa, NEMA, National Contact Point (Uganda)
• Pauline Nantongo Kalunda, Executive Director – Ecotrust (Uganda)
• Byamukama Buryahwaho, Project Leader, Nature Harness Initiatives (Uganda)

Regional and International

• Alice Ruhweza, Coordinator, East and Southern Africa Katoomba Group
• Ilaria Firmian – International Fund for Agricultural Development