Advanced Diploma in Public Policies for the Agricultural, Agri-food and Bio-agro-industrial System
1th Cohort | Virtual Modality
ACADEMIC COORDINATION
Alhelí González Cáceres (FLACSO, Paraguay), Javier Vitale (National Institute of Agricultural Technology and National University of Cuyo, Argentina) and Juan Jesus Hernandez (National University of San Juan and National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Argentina)
PROFESSORS
Gustavo Setrini (FLACSO, Paraguay); Alhelí González (FLACSO, Paraguay); Javier Vitale (INTA and UNCUYO, Argentina); Juan Jesus Hernandez (UNSJ and INTA, Argentina); Margarita Moscheni (UNSJ, Argentina); Mirian Núñez (Planning and Strategy Center, Paraguay); Ignacio Alonso (INTA, Argentina); Silvina Papagno (UNCUYO, Argentina) and María Mercedes Patrouilleau (INTA, Argentina)
Virtual format | August to November 2025
Home: 20/08/2025 | Registration: 09/05/2025 to 19/08/2025
The Advanced Diploma aims to provide comprehensive and critical training in the analysis, design, and evaluation of public policies geared towards the development of the agricultural, agri-food, and bio-agro-industrial systems. With an interdisciplinary approach, the course seeks to equip students with theoretical, methodological, and practical tools to address the challenges and opportunities facing this key sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The course combines theoretical presentations, case studies, comparative analysis of international and regional experiences, and an integrative practical project. Through critical debates and participatory activities, students are encouraged to apply the knowledge they acquire to the specific context of their countries and regions. Furthermore, the course will promote the development of projects and public policy proposals aimed at addressing specific problems within the agricultural and agri-food system.
This course seeks to strengthen the capacity of actors involved in the formulation and implementation of public policies in Latin America and the Caribbean, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural and agro-industrial sector, to the improvement of food security and to the reduction of inequalities in rural areas.
The development of agricultural, agri-food, and bio-agro-industrial systems in Latin America and the Caribbean is at a crucial juncture. Facing an increasingly complex environment, these systems must respond to multiple global and local challenges: the growing demand for food, the effects of climate change, pressure on natural resources, the need to guarantee food security and social inclusion in rural areas, and the incorporation of innovative technologies to improve the sector's productivity and sustainability. Given this scenario, the design and evaluation of appropriate public policies become a key tool for guiding the development of these strategic systems in the region.
In the current environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, the agricultural and agro-industrial sector plays a fundamental role in the economies of many countries, being responsible for a significant percentage of employment, exports and food production.
In this context, it is imperative to train specialists capable of understanding the complexity of the agricultural and agro-industrial system, and of designing and evaluating public policies that promote solutions integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions, and that not only respond to market demands and productivity but also foster equity and social inclusion. The course is based on the premise that an interdisciplinary approach, integrating social, technological, environmental, economic, political, and cultural sciences, is essential to addressing the current and future challenges of this sector.
It is also recognized that public policies in this area must be comprehensive and context-specific, capable of adapting to local and regional realities, while also being connected to global trends and dynamics. This implies that the actors involved in their design and implementation must have a solid understanding of international regulatory frameworks, financing and cooperation opportunities, as well as emerging trends in the agri-food and bioindustrial sectors.
GENERAL PURPOSE
This Diploma aims to offer comprehensive and critical training in the analysis, design and evaluation of public policies oriented towards the development of the agricultural, agri-food and bio-agro-industrial system.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
That the students:
- Access theoretical and methodological frameworks for the design of public policies that promote the sustainability, equity and efficiency of the agri-food, agro-industrial and bio-agro-industrial system, with special emphasis on local needs and global demands.
- Reflect on the role of development within the agricultural and bio-agro-industrial sector, paying special attention to agroecology, biotechnology, and new trends in bioeconomy.
- Analyze the global, regional, and local dynamics and prospects that impact the development of the agricultural, agri-food, and bio-agro-industrial sectors.
- They can design policies that promote sustainable agricultural and agro-industrial development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the need to ensure food security in the region.
- Learn about and be able to apply methodologies for evaluating implemented public policies, both in terms of economic development and social inclusion and environmental protection.
The Higher Diploma in Public Policies for the Agricultural, Agri-food and Bio-agro-industrial System is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students; teachers at all levels; activists and members of trade union organizations, social movements and political parties; public officials; members and managers of non-governmental organizations and professionals interested in the subject.
The program consists of 5 modules of 3 weekly classes each, taught consecutively and linked together.
Total workload of 128 hours.
The modules that comprise the Higher Diploma are:
CLASS 1: History and contemporary status of agri-food systems
ProfessorsGustavo Setrini and Alhelí González Cáceres
Conceptual summary of the class
This module explores the political economy of agri-food systems from a historical and contemporary perspective, analyzing power relations, production and consumption dynamics, and conflicts surrounding food. Through the study of key cases and theoretical frameworks, the transformation processes of agricultural and bioindustrial systems in Latin America will be examined, with a special emphasis on cases from Paraguay. This class will address historical and contemporary aspects that have influenced the configuration of agri-food systems.
CLASS 2: Power relations within agri-food systems
Teachers: Gustavo Setrini and Alhelí González Cáceres
Conceptual summary of the class
Corporate power relations and their impact on the design of agri-food systems in capitalist societies will be addressed.
CLASS 3: Public Policies and Agri-food Systems
Teachers: Gustavo Setrini and Alhelí González Cáceres
Conceptual summary of the class
The processes of transformation in the emerging relationships of agri-food systems will be examined from key theoretical frameworks and case studies with an emphasis on the Latin American reality.
CLASS 1: Public policies as an object of study. Concept, history and contemporary approaches of a multidisciplinary field in contexts of uncertainty
Teacher: María Mercedes Patrouilleau
Conceptual summary of the class
This paper presents an analytical overview of public policies from various disciplinary perspectives and traces the evolution of the topic at the regional level. Related to the conceptual and analytical framework, several case studies concerning agri-food systems in the region are presented.
CLASS 2: The life cycle of public policies. Usefulness, limitations and complementary concepts
Teacher: Ignacio Alonso
Conceptual summary of the class
This session will address the public policy life cycle as a framework for analyzing its emergence, development, and outcomes. The advantages and limitations of this analytical model will be examined. Complementary concepts will be proposed to better understand the social and institutional processes at play in the public policy process.
CLASS 3: Methodological strategies for the analysis and intervention with public policies
Teachers: María Mercedes Patrouilleau and Ignacio Agustín Alonso
Conceptual summary of the class
Using specific case studies, a range of frameworks and methodologies are presented that can be implemented for policy analysis and social intervention through policy. In a practical session, participants present a case and explain the possible and appropriate approach.
CLASS 1: Public Policy Design
Teachers: Margarita Moscheni and Juan Jesús Hernández
Conceptual summary of the class
Agenda Development: Definition, type, influencing factors, and methods of resolution. Socially problematized issues. The construction of the problem and its political definition. Problem Tree. Analysis, evaluation, and selection of alternatives. Design of specific objectives and goals. Possible public policy instruments.
CLASS 2: The process of implementing public policies
Teachers: Margarita Moscheni and Juan Jesús Hernández
Conceptual summary of the class
Phases, conditions, and problems of implementation. Mechanisms for allocating resources, responsibilities, and timelines. Mechanisms for citizen and organizational participation. Complexities of implementing policies that span different levels of government, the role of bureaucracies and power groups in Latin America.
CLASS 3:
Teachers: Margarita Moscheni and Juan Jesús Hernández
Conceptual summary of the class
Practice in formulating public policies based on cases from the agricultural, agri-food and bio-agro-industrial sector of Latin America
CLASS 1: Introduction to strategic foresight and public policies of the agricultural, agri-food and bio-agro-industrial system
Teacher: Javier Vitale
Conceptual summary of the class
This class will provide a brief overview of Futures Studies as an interdisciplinary field of study. It will cover Foresight, Planning, Policy and Strategy, Complexity and Uncertainty, and their implications for the policy and management of the agricultural, agri-food, and bio-agro-industrial systems.
CLASS 2: Methods and techniques of agricultural, agri-food and bio-agro-industrial forecasting.
Teacher: Javier Vitale
Conceptual summary of the class
This class will focus on providing students with the tools for the prospective design process. Topics covered include the structure of a prospective study, critical variables in methodological design, and main methods and techniques.
CLASS 3: Building visions of the future and career paths
Teacher: Silvina Papagno
Conceptual summary of the class:
In this class, students will acquire tools for constructing visions of the future and scenarios. They will evaluate the future behavior of prioritized critical dynamics and define the plot, logic, and narrative of the scenarios.
CLASS 1: The role of planning in public policies
Teacher: Mirian Núñez
Conceptual summary of the class
The methodologies and theoretical tools of planning as a socio-political process and its link with the design and implementation of public policies will be presented.
CLASS 2: The logical and practical framework of planning
Teacher: Mirian Núñez
Conceptual summary of the class
In this class, students will be able to incorporate theoretical and practical reflections on the links between strategic planning, performance indicators, and the budgeting process oriented towards results management.
CLASS 3: The evaluation of public policies
Teacher: Mirian Núñez
Conceptual summary of the class
This class will cover the conceptual and methodological aspects of project and program design and evaluation. It will also address indicators and goals, ex-ante and ex-post evaluation strategies, types of evaluation, and mechanisms for citizen participation in the public policy process.
| Early registration (until 04/08) | General registration (August 5th to 14th) | Registration without discount (August 15-19) | Payment in 3 installments | |
| Full or Associate Member Center | $125 | $185 | $240 | USD 315 (3 x USD 105) |
| No Link | $250 | $310 | $370 | USD 540 (3 x USD 180) |
* Residents of Argentina will pay the equivalent in Argentine pesos according to the official exchange rate of the Banco de la Nación Argentina (BNA) on the day of payment.
You must be registered in the CLACSO Single Registration System (SUIC) and enter your username and password. If you are not registered, click here. hereTo access the registration form, you must click the "Register" button on the webpage of the Diploma you are interested in.
Upon completion of the registration process, you will receive a confirmation in your email.
Classes will begin in August and will conclude in December 2025.
All registered participants will receive, on the first day of activities, the necessary instructions to access the classes, bibliography, and discussion forums through the CLACSO Virtual Training Space.
Accessing and navigating the Virtual Learning Environment is very simple and user-friendly. In any case, a technical and academic support team will always be available. For inquiries, you can write to [email protected]
You must write an email with the request to [email protected] We will send you the requested certificate as soon as possible.
Exceptional criteria: In exceptional cases and within the first 20 days of starting the Higher Diploma, the student may write to [email protected] Requesting withdrawal and stating the reasons. After the case is evaluated, a response will be sent to the request. If approved, the student may resume the Higher Diploma program if a new cohort is offered the following year. After that period of time has elapsed since the start of the course, no requests will be accepted.
Money paid will only be refunded in cases where the organizing institutions decide to cancel the activity.
Yes, the advanced diploma is certified by CLACSO. The diploma will be sent digitally and is completely free of charge.
Payment can be made in one installment, by credit card or bank transfer. We also offer the option of paying in 3 installments.
Yes. There will be discounts for students belonging to CLACSO Member Centers and CLACSO Associated Centers, for CLACSO Associate Researchers, and for all those who pay within the discount period.
You can check if you belong to a member center here:
The Advanced Diploma program integrates a dynamic of asynchronous and synchronous classes. Classes are primarily asynchronous. The schedule for synchronous sessions will be communicated by the Diploma coordinator at the beginning of the program, and participation in these sessions is not a prerequisite for passing the program.
Queries: WhatsApp: +54 9 11 3880 – 1388
E-mail: [email protected]
