Dr. Ujjwal Pradhan, Regional Director for Southeast Asia of the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), discussed strengthening partnership with OML Center during his visit at the Center’s office on July 22, 2013. As Regional Director for ICRAF-Southeast Asia, he is responsible for establishing partnerships in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and China. He is also currently a Board member of The Centre for People and Forests in Bangkok. He has a PhD in Development Sociology from Cornell University (USA) and served as Program Officer for the Ford Foundation in environment and development in Indonesia and in water resources development and policy and environmental justice in India.

OML Center Scientific Director Dr. Rodel Lasco presented an overview of the Center’s vision, goals and activities during the meeting. Dr. Pradhan introduced ICRAF as in international organization that shares a common goal of developing science-based solutions that benefit communities. As a social scientist, Dr. Pradhan emphasized the role of social movements and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in bringing forth social and environmental change, which the Center must uphold in leading other private institutions in the country to the same direction. Dr. Pradhan signified interest in strengthening partnership with the Center through possible project collaboration.

The OML Center has initially entered into partnership with ICRAF, an international, non-profit research organization which works to reduce rural poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and sustainably manage natural resources, by promoting the growth and use of trees on farms.  Dr. Pradhan’s visit will reinforce this partnership through collaborative projects that will contribute to the scientific agenda of both Centers.