Annual Conference 2013
49th Annual Conference and
2013 Future Leaders Forum
June 2 - 4, 2013
Theme
"Feeding the Future in a Changing Climate"
"The lack of action on climate change not only risks putting prosperity out of reach of millions of people in the developing world, it threatens to roll back decades of sustainable development." ("Turn Down the Heat," World Bank Report, 2012)
The overwhelming consensus in the international scientific community is that climate change is real, it is happening now, and it will get considerably worse in the coming decades. Human activities have contributed significantly to this phenomenon...and it is people that now must demonstrate the political will, ingenuity, and cooperation needed to deal with this pending crisis. Agriculture, rural development, and food security for millions will be impacted by global changes affecting a broad range of natural resources that our food systems rely upon. Experts predict that vulnerable populations in developing countries, those already struggling to become food secure, will be the ones most adversely affected by these environmental changes.
At this year's 49th Annual Conference, AIARD will explore the latest scientific evidence surrounding climate change and its potential impact on agricultural systems, learn about innovative approaches to mitigate and adapt to these changes, and discuss what our role should be in educating the public and influencing policymakers. In order to address the interrelated complexities of climate change and food security, we're inviting leading experts representing a multitude of perspectives and organizations to address this issue. We hope you'll decide to join this important discussion when we meet in Washington, DC, June 2-4, 2013.
Part 1 -- The Situation: Climate Change and the Implications for Global Food Security
In the opening session of the conference we will take a broad look at climate change projections and the future of food security with a global population headed towards 9 billion.
This will include topics such as:
Part 2 -- Addressing the Problem: Successful Case Studies from Around the World
Dire predictions related to our changing environment can lead to inaction, based on an overwhelming sense of helplessness. But there is reason for hope. Innovative approaches to mitigate climate change and build resilience to its inevitable impacts are already taking place around the world. In the second part of the conference, we will learn about some of these successful approaches and discuss how partnerships have been formed to develop coordinated solutions for this complex problem.
Subjects for discussion will include:
Part 3 -- A Call to Action: Addressing the Climate Change Challenge
The final part of the conference will look ahead to what we, as development practitioners and engaged global citizens, can do to educate the public and influence policymakers concerning climate change and its impact on food security.
The overwhelming consensus in the international scientific community is that climate change is real, it is happening now, and it will get considerably worse in the coming decades. Human activities have contributed significantly to this phenomenon...and it is people that now must demonstrate the political will, ingenuity, and cooperation needed to deal with this pending crisis. Agriculture, rural development, and food security for millions will be impacted by global changes affecting a broad range of natural resources that our food systems rely upon. Experts predict that vulnerable populations in developing countries, those already struggling to become food secure, will be the ones most adversely affected by these environmental changes.
At this year's 49th Annual Conference, AIARD will explore the latest scientific evidence surrounding climate change and its potential impact on agricultural systems, learn about innovative approaches to mitigate and adapt to these changes, and discuss what our role should be in educating the public and influencing policymakers. In order to address the interrelated complexities of climate change and food security, we're inviting leading experts representing a multitude of perspectives and organizations to address this issue. We hope you'll decide to join this important discussion when we meet in Washington, DC, June 2-4, 2013.
Part 1 -- The Situation: Climate Change and the Implications for Global Food Security
In the opening session of the conference we will take a broad look at climate change projections and the future of food security with a global population headed towards 9 billion.
This will include topics such as:
- Changing precipitation patterns and availability of water;
- Impacts on crops and livestock;
- Prevalence of agricultural pests and diseases;
- Sustainable forest management;
- Increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters;
- The correlation between poverty and resilience;
- Balancing needs for food, feed, and fuel; and
- The disproportionate effects that climate change will have on the most vulnerable populations in food insecure areas of the world.
Part 2 -- Addressing the Problem: Successful Case Studies from Around the World
Dire predictions related to our changing environment can lead to inaction, based on an overwhelming sense of helplessness. But there is reason for hope. Innovative approaches to mitigate climate change and build resilience to its inevitable impacts are already taking place around the world. In the second part of the conference, we will learn about some of these successful approaches and discuss how partnerships have been formed to develop coordinated solutions for this complex problem.
Subjects for discussion will include:
- Making the most of new technologies;
- Effective international partnerships;
- Increasing production while protecting our natural resources; and
- Farmer-driven innovations from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Part 3 -- A Call to Action: Addressing the Climate Change Challenge
The final part of the conference will look ahead to what we, as development practitioners and engaged global citizens, can do to educate the public and influence policymakers concerning climate change and its impact on food security.
- How do we frame the situation to change public perceptions when too often the scientific facts are not enough?
- What is the role for NGO's, universities, government, the private sector, and faith-based organizations?
- How can we most effectively influence policymakers so they will take the bold steps required to deal with such a complex problem as climate change?
- How does AIARD lend its voice to an urgent call for action? As an organization committed to advancing international agricultural and rural development, representing a breadth of leading institutions and a reliance on research-based knowledge, we are in a strong position to make a difference.
