Livestock production is a key component of the global food system. Livestock sectors all over the world provide food and generate income for millions of farmers and actors within the value chain. However, the growing demand for resource intensive animal products, and the industrialization of production has resulted in a wide range of environmental, social, and ethical concerns.

The International Virtual Course 2023 (IVC 2023): “Tackling Climate Change through Global Learning” focuses on cross-disciplinary understanding of the trends and impacts of climate change on agrofood systems across the world, and co-developing innovative solutions for climate related challenges. The on-going course brings together academic staff and postgraduate students from Switzerland, Kenya, India & Brazil, with emphasis on collaboration across cultural borders via virtual channels.

The use of participatory approaches and methods in research, development, and humanitarian work has evolved in framing and content. Different terminologies have been used over time – Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), Participatory Appraisal (PA), and in the recent, the application of PA methods in animal health services and research dubbed as Participatory Epidemiology (PE).