Sylvain Perret appointed Agrinatura Director

You have just been appointed Agrinatura Director. What will your role be?

Sylvain Perret: Agrinatura recently drafted its strategy for 2030, it will be up to me to roll it out, starting with continuing the already highly efficient management of the major projects administered by the association. I shall be working to renew its current portfolio and diversify the range of technical and financial partners.

One other major aspect will be building and organizing spaces for dialogue with European Commission policymaking and decision-making bodies. First of all, with the Directorate general for International Partnerships (INTPA), a historic, solid partner with high expectations in this respect, but also with other directorates such as that for research and innovation. This role in interfacing science and policy will feed the way we conduct our projects. The idea is to encourage the policy sphere to become involved in research activities as early as possible, to help promote their results in terms of recommendations to support policy decisions and action.

Where are you hoping to take Agrinatura ?

S.P.: Firstly, I am keen to shake up the alliance and involve its members more in projects, scientific events and transverse training operations. I would also like to attract new members and renew the project portfolio, notably by diversifying the topics covered. To this end, I shall be trying to encourage an internal dynamic to promote an identity and communities of thought and practice.

I also want to encourage continued cooperation and dialogue between the European and African Commissions, for instance by rolling out concrete research and training for development operations with African partners, primarily Ruforum.

After heading one of CIRAD's departments, what does this European role mean to you?

S.P.: My role is that of a go-between, a researcher working for two worlds that often still have trouble talking to each other. What I find most interesting is acting as a science-policy interface. Throughout my career in research and then in research management, I have gradually realized that this aspect is absolutely crucial.

Science cannot make do with talking to itself, through publications, or even to the end users of its results. It needs to be responsible and work with policy- and decision-makers, who play a vital role in drafting the standards and regulations required if we are to make the transformations current crises call for.

What does the alliance mean for CIRAD?

S.P.: Agrinatura federates the leading European AR4D players. As a result, it is vital for our organization, which is why we were and continue to be a very active founding member.

My appointment will reaffirm CIRAD's reputation with the European Commission for the design, leadership and implementation of research for development projects for and with the world's least developed countries. It will also allow us to sell our expertise in assessing the impact of research to Europe.