The Life Science Universities of Central and South Eastern Europe are the basis for sustainable, ecological and economic development of the region.
The 7th International Conference CASEE
"The Role of Life Sciences in Europe’s 2020 strategy"
was held at BUASVM - Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine „King Michael I of Romania" from Timisoara
from May 22 to 24, 2016.
All good things come in eights:
The 8th CASEE Conference "Sustainable development in Europe – cooperation between science and practice - What’s the position of Central and South Eastern Europe?” was held at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland from 14-16 May 2017.
Sustainable development as overarching question of the conference refers to the recently released Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations, which are not only in place for the Developing World, but also relevant for Europe and especially for important multipliers like institutions for education and research gathered in the CASEE network.
The papers of the CASEE Conference 2014 "Healthy Food Production and Environmental Preservation – The Role of Agriculture, Forestry and Applied Biology" are now published in a special issue of the "Contemporary Agriculture".
The 6th International CASEE Conference
"Latest Trends in Bioeconomy in the Danube Region"
was held at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra from May 24 -26, 2015
Rural areas in Europe and specifically the Danube region are under more and more pressure. Young people try to leave and gather in cities and their vicinity in the hope of better employment chances. The rural areas urgently need economic chances for development. One of the opportunities could be the implementation of the bio-based economy. The value of biomass is steadily increasing – not only food supply but energy and raw materials for industrial production are needed.
The aim of the 4th CASEE Conference 2013 was to discuss the potentials and options of biomass and food production in the Danube region, aiming at new concepts and technologies; Agricultural intensification alone cannot be the solution. Preserving soil and water resources and their sustainable use is one of the great challenges when increasing biomass production.
The conference was hosted by the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, one of the oldest and biggest universities in South-Eastern Europe. The Faculty of Agriculture is the leading higher education and science institution in the field of agriculture and related sciences in the Republic of Croatia. Thanks to the special conference date all participants had the opportunity to welcome Croatia as a new member of the European Union and to take part in the celebrations.
Nearly 110 participants from 10 countries (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Serbia) registered for the conference, including rectors, vice-rectors and deans from the most relevant Universities of Life Sciences in the Danube region.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the host rector, Prof. Aleksa Bjelis, and by Prof. Martin Gerzabek, the President of CASEE and Rector of BOKU, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. Prof. Davor Romic, the conference chair of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dean Prof. Tajana Kricka and Dean prof. Milan Oršanić from the Faculty of Forestry, started the row of high level welcome addresses and were then followed by:
prof. Ružica Beljo Lučić, Ministry of Science, Education and Sport
Hrvoje Dokoza, Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection (tbc)
Simon B Heath, ICA Secretary General.
The first keynote speech of Dr. Erhard Busek, chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) and former Austrian vice-chancellor, gave a general overview on the historical development of the Danube region. He underlined the importance of scientific projects in this region and congratulated Croatia on its EU-membership.
The second part of the morning session offered a more scientific approach: Prof. Gerhard Glatzel (BOKU, Vienna) focused on “Biofuels from forests – chances and constraints”, Dr. Luca Montanarella (European Commission, DG JRC) elaborated on „Challenges of soil protection in Europe and the Mediterranean region“ and Prof. Ramona Franic (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb) gave insight at a local level: „Food production and rural development – Croatian perspective within European context“
On July 1 and 2 a total number of 25 oral presentations, divided into 3 thematic workshops were held:
• The workshop "Soil protection and the Danubean perspectives" was chaired by Walter Wenzel (BOKU, Vienna) and Pavel Tlustos (CULS, Prague)
• The workshop "Food and biomass production - a challenge and chance for rural development" was chaired by Marijan Susnjar (University of Zagreb) and Carmen Socaciu (USAMV Cluj-Napoca)
• The workshop “Agriculture, water use and protection in the Danube region“ was chaired by Milan Mesic (University of Zagreb) and Davor Romic
In two other workshops CASEE members deepened their collaboration within the network:
• In the workshop on Education, chaired by Barbara Hinterstoisser (BOKU, Vienna), the final concept of the joint master programme “Sustainability in Agriculture, Food Technology and Production in the Danube Region” (Danube Agri-Food Master) was decided so that the agreement between the CASEE partner universities could be signed during the final session.
• A meeting of the CASEE experimental research station coordinators, chaired by Herbert Weingartmann (BOKU, Vienna) offered new opportunities for further collaboration.
In addition to the workshops, PhD students presented posters with their research outcomes in a guided poster tour.
The full scientific programme was combined with a number of very attractive social events:
on Sunday evening the participants of the conference attended the Welcome reception at the University which was organized as part of the celebrations of Croatian entry into the European Union. After the reception, guests joined the welcome celebration on the main square. Monday morning was reserved for a traditional Croatian dinner at a family farm and restaurant near Zagreb and on Wednesday an excursion to the north-western part of Croatia was organized. The first point on the excursion was the city of Varaždin and one of the biggest Croatian food companies: Vindija group. The excursion group was one of the first groups ever to be allowed entry into one of the most modern milk processing facilities in Europe, and a visit to the meat industry Koka, all owned by Vindija. After the visits to the facilities, the excursion group was welcomed by the owner, founder and CEO of Vindija – Dragutin Drk. After the presentation of the Vindija business group, guests had a chance to taste some great Vindija products.
From Vindija, the excursion continued to Varkom d.d., a company which manages water supply and waste management in the city of Varaždin, and northern Croatia.
After the welcome addresses by the directors and representatives of Hrvatske vode, the public entity for water management in Croatia, some short presentations of Varkom and Hrvatske vode were organized.
After the presentations, the participants enjoyed traditional Croatian food and music in great ambient surroundings.
From city of Varaždin, the excursion finished in the town of Krapina with a visit to the modern museum Kraneamus – a museum of Krapina Neanderthal, one of the oldest Neanderthal findings in the world.
The accompanying persons programme consisted of a city tour on Tuesday and visit of the Picasso exhibit.
Further information is also available on the conference site created by the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb.
Special Issue of the ACS journal devoted to the 4th CASEE conference
During the last 25 years agriculture, as well the Food production and productivity, have changed dramatically in Central and Eastern Europe countries related to the Danube region.
Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals: the environmental health, economic profitability, and social/economic equity, where policies and practices have a key contribution, where people, from farmers to consumers, share this vision and contribute to it.
The 3rd CASEE Conference 2012 was hosted by the USAMV - University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, one of the most successful universities in Romania, recently classified as fist class of excellence for its “advanced research and education”.
The aim of the conference was to provide a forum to disseminate knowledge and new insights on the sustainability of agriculture and food production in the Danube region, in a complex context: from agrifood chain production, to animal nutrition and health, as well their ability to reach the needs of future generations living in this region.
Nearly 150 participants from 7 countries (Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, France) registered for the conference, including rectors, vice-rectors and deans from the most relevant Universitites of Life Sciences in the Danube region.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the hosts’ rectors, Prof. Doru Pamfil and by Prof. Martin Gerzabek, the President of CASEE, the President of Danube Rectors’ Conference and Rector of BOKU, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. High level representatives, like Dacian Cioloş , European Commissioner for Agriculture and rural development, Cristian Hera , Vice-president of the Romanian Academy, Vasile Puscaş, former chief negotiator of Romania to EU, presented key lectures regarding policies and strategies for sustainable agriculture, and their scientific support in the Danube Region.
The second part of the morning session offered a more scientific approach: Prof. Ika Darnhofer (BOKU, Vienna) focused on “Sustainable agriculture: balancing natural and social sciences ”, Prof. Ioan Negruţiu (ENS, Lyon) on “Interdisciplinarity for the short- and the long-term: targeting natural resources at regional scale ” and Prof. Carmen Socaciu (USAMV, Cluj-Napoca), on “Food System concepts in a changing world ”.
On May 3 and 4 a total number of 23 oral presentations, divided in 3 thematic workshops: Sustainable agriculture A, Sustainable agriculture B and Food Production, Control and Valorization, were held. In addition Phd students presented posters with their research outcomes.
Two presentations on running / suggested educational projects within CASEE were presented during the final session:
The full scientific programe was combined with a number of very attractive social events: The participants were invited to the AGRARIA- International Trade Fair for Agriculture, Food Industry and Animal Husbandry, one of the most important meeting places for farmers, professionals and decision-makers of the Romanian agri-business. Excursions to the Saline in Turda, the Jidvei Castle and vineyard and a Transilvania tour offered plenty of opportunities to explore the beautiful landscape and rich culture of Romania.
Further details on the social programme
The CASEE Board and the St. Istvan University Gödöllö, Hungary were pleased to welcome more than 100 participants at the
CASEE Conference 2011:
April 28th - 29th, 2011, St. Istvan University Gödöllö, Hungary
The river Danube - seen not as a dividing line but a connection of different peoples and ideas - formed the key element of the 2nd conference of the CASEE network of universities. The conference combined a significant scientific programme and a strategic discussion: In the framework of the EU strategy of the Danube region the CASEE network now has the opportunity to participate in the process of implementation and to take a certain lead in respect to involved research and educational topics.
The Conference was opened by Rector Solti (Szent István University, Gödöllö) and the CASEE President Rector Gerzabek (BOKU, Vienna). The keynotes of the first session gave a profound strategic (Dr. Busek) and scientific (Prof. Somlyódy and Prof. Waidbacher) introduction. After two presentations on running educational projects in the CASEE countries, the potentials of the network in research cooperation were presented. In workshops on "Water" and "Biodiversity and Natural Resources" the representatives of the universities - including also many young scientists - deepened the discusson and developed new project ideas.
Keynote speeches
Keynote presentation on the EU strategy for the Danube region
(by Dr. Erhard Busek, former Austrian minister of science and president of the Institute for the Danube and Central Europe, consultant to EU Commissioner Hahn).
Keynote presentation on “Future Waters in the Danube Basin: Problems and Opportunities"
(by Prof. László Somlyódy, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics)
Presentation on the Ecological situation of the Danube Region and its relevance for Life Sciences
(by Prof. Herwig Waidbacher, BOKU)
Presentations on running/suggested educational and other projects in the CASEE countries
1. Academia Danubiana: Spatial Planning and the learning region concept
(Prof. em. Werner Kvarda, BOKU)
Projects: ELLS-SAT, IPSOIL (DI Dora Kertesz, BOKU)
2. The Role of Expert Teachers in Education - Quality Improvement at the Faculty of Agriculture
(Ing. Ivona Filipovic, University of Zagreb)
3. Potentials of CASEE universities for the common research projects and papers
(Vice-Rector Michal Lostak, Prof. Lukas Zagata, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague)
Thematic Workshops
Water
Chair: Prof. Pavel Kovar, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague
Co-Chair: Prof. Kazimierz Banasik, Vice Rector, Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Presentations:
1. How to Mitigate Harmful Impact of Floods - Case Study of Flood Impact Mitigation
on the Nemcicky Catchment, Czech Republic
(Pavel Kovar, Darina Vassova; Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague)
2. Water Protecting Actions in the Danube Region Strategy - Expectations and Facts
(László Perger; Central Directorate for Water and Environment)
3. Danube Region Strategy - Managing Environmental Risks
(Péter Bakonyi; Vituki Environmental Protection and Water Management Research Institute Ltd.)
4. A New Linkage Approach to the River Economic Complex Development
(Daniel Yordanov Pavlov; University of Ruse “Angel Kunchev”, Bulgaria)
5. Climate or Land Use Change – Identification of Future Main Factors Influencing Water Management. Narew River Basin Case Study
(Mikolaj Piniewski, Tomasz Okruszko, Marek Gielczewski, Mateusz Stelmaszczyk; Warsaw University of Life Sciences)
6. Possibilities of Flood Forecasting in the Small Headwater Catchments: Case Study in the Czech Republic
(Petr Máca, Jana Redinová, Jirka Pavlaásek, Vojtech Havlicek, Pavel Pech; Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague)
7. Trace Metals in Agricultural Soils of the Danube River Tributary Basins in Croatia,
(Helena Bakic, Marija Romic; University of Zagreb)
Biodiversity and Natural Resources
Chair: Prof. Doru Pamfil, Rector of USAMV Cluj Napoca
Co-Chair. Prof. Milan Mesic, Vice-Dean of FAZ University of Zagreb
1. Reintroducing Native Broadleaves to Mountain Coniferous Stands Under Harsh Environmental Conditions
(Ivan Kuneš, Martin Baláši, Pavel Burda, Katerina Millerová; Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague)
2. Effect of Water Dependent Ecosystem Restoration in Strongly Urbanized Landscape
(Daria Sikorska, Piotr Sikorski; Warsaw University of Life Sciences)
3. Vegetation Structure of Oxbow Lakes along Urban-Rural Gradient – Case study of Warsaw, Poland
(Piotr Hewelke, Daria Sikorska, Piotr Sikorski, J.Chwedoruk; Warsaw University of Life Sciences)
4. Rural Development in Istria – PRIMA Project Based Preliminary
(Mario Njavro, Ramona Franic, Tihana Ljubaj, Marija Romic; University of Zagreb)
5. Scientific Base for Determination of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in Croatia
(Milan Mesić, Davor Romić, Stjepan Husnjak, Zdenko Lončarić, Milan Poljak; University of Zagreb)
6. Challenges and Opportunities the Agricultural Insurance Industry is Facing in Relation to Climate Change
(Anna Lorant, Maria Fekete; St Istvan University, Gödöllö)
For the Workshops of the General Assembly please have a look on the moodle platform.
Dr. Tarr Zsuzsanna / Zsuzsanna Tarr, PhD
Külkapcsolati Irodavezető / Head of External Relations Office
LLP Erasmus Intézményi koordinátor / LLP Erasmus Institutional Coordinator
Szent István Egyetem / Szent István University
2100 Gödöllő, Páter Károly u. 1.
Tel: +36-28-522000/1017
Fax: +36-28-410-804
E-mail:
Documents
Results from the three workshop groups during the CASEE Kick-Off-Meeting
