Experts gather at Â鶹AV to address food security challenges
2nd edition of international conference addresses impact of global recession
Leading experts from international agencies, NGOs, the food industry and academia will meet at Â鶹AV, in Montreal, Oct. 5-7 to discuss the increasing challenges relating to food security in the world. The 2nd Â鶹AV Conference on Global Food Security will focus on the effects of the global economic crisis on food supply and production.
In the past year, approximately 100 million people have been added to the ranks of the roughly 1 billion people worldwide considered to be undernourished, according to a recent report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.
The discussions at the Â鶹AV conference will address topics such as food security in a challenging economic environment, the effects of markets and trade, climate change and the production of biofuels, access to farm credit, the investments needed for agricultural development as well as the response of international agencies to challenges of food security.
Representatives of developing and emerging economy countries will speak on their country's experiences. Joining them will be leading academics and officials from a wide range of international agencies, such as the World Bank, the United Nations World Food Program, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Canadian International Development Agency, among others. Several of these experts will gather for a public panel discussion, on Oct. 5 at 5 pm, on "The effects of the global recession and future prospects".
WHAT: Â鶹AV Conference on Global Food Security
WHEN: October 5, 6 and 7, 2009
WHERE: New Residence Hall, Â鶹AV
University
3625 avenue du Parc, Montreal
Public Lecture (October 5, 5 p.m.)
Salon Mont-Royal, Centre Mont-Royal
2200 Mansfield St., Montreal
For more information on the program, please visit:
/globalfoodsecurity/program/
For more information on the speakers, please
visit :
/globalfoodsecurity/speakers/
Â鶹AV, founded in Montreal, Que., in 1821, is Canada's leading post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 10 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more than 34,000 students. Â鶹AV attracts students from more than 150 countries around the world. Almost half of Â鶹AV students claim a first language other than English - including 6,000 francophones - with more than 6,400 international students making up almost 20 per cent of the student body.