International scientific training as a tool of science cooperation. The "DIPLOMAzia" Programme at the IAMC-CNR. Project report

A Multi-Disciplinary Education Programme called 'DIPLOMAzia', is the result of a Convention signed between the National Research Council and the General Director for the Italian Cooperation for Development (DGCS) of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE). The Programme comprised a "Governance and management of marine and fisheries policies" (Course 1) section, implemented by the Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment of the National Research Council of Italy (IAMC-CNR) and aimed at training 15 young graduates from North African and Balkan Region in marine sciences-related issues. The initiative, as a genuine pilot-project in this field, provided the trainees a unique experience giving them the opportunity to work and have an in-depth knowledge of IAMC's expertise in oceanography and marine sciences, but also enabled the Institute and its staff to gain more experience in carrying out international training courses. This project report, after describing the course, its origin, extent, goals, aims at highlighting the role played by scientific cooperation with emerging economies, providing "good practices" and valuable experience for better tuning similar initiatives in the future, as well as enhancing the role of the Italian scientific research system abroad.