EVENT: Young Professionals' Platform for Agricultural Research & Development

Very relevant seminar. Finally the IFPRI is thinking about the next generation of professionals.
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****BROWN BAG SEMINAR****

Young Professionals' Platform for Agricultural Research & Development

Challenges Facing "Young Professionals" in Agricultural Research & Development

Perspectives from "Young Professionals"

by Balasubramanian Ramani, YPARD Coordinator

Monday, 26 March 2007
12:00 -- 2:00 p.m.

Lunch will be provided

About YPARD
The Young Professionals' Platform for Agricultural Research for Development (YPARD) was formed to give prominence to the needs and views of young professionals active in development-related agricultural research. YPARD will serve as a global platform through which young professionals can express their ideas and realize their full potential towards a dynamic agricultural research for development. YPARD encourages professionals under the age of 40 to share information and engage in policy debates on issues such as research priorities and genetic engineering. Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani, YPARD Coordinator, will provide background on the organization and discuss how you might contribute to and benefit from YPARD. For more information please see YPARD’s web site at www.YPARD.org.

Abstract
Agriculture has been and will remain a key component of our efforts to reduce global poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Agriculture Research for Development (ARD) plays an important role in poverty alleviation and in reaching poor farmers. The growing challenge of feeding the world's population in a sustainable manner requires to actively seek effective solutions on a worldwide scale. Science and technology will play a vital role. Two critical contributions are (i) the training of qualified professionals and (ii) the promotion of need-based research to solve key problems. Global cooperation can assist in the dissemination of innovations in teaching and scientific research activities. Efforts are required to educate and train young people in their country or region of origin, to create competences needed both at home and on the international labor market, aiming at sustainable professional capacity for innovation and development.. In the existing structure of many developing countries, a skilled and motivated labor force of agricultural professionals can be a key to successful development.

The above arguments support a call for an integrated global initiative to encourage young people to pursue education and a career in Agriculture Research for Development, which will have a significant impact on the live and livelihoods of their fellow countrymen.

Simone Hill LeeSeminars & ConferencesIFPRIEmail: s.hill-lee@cgiar.orgFax: (202) 467-4439Phone: (202) 862-8107Visit our web site <www.ifpri.org> for the latest IFPRI news and to download hundreds of food policy research publications.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) are pleased to invite you to a special Brown Bag seminar, which will be held in our fourth floor conference facility located at 2033 K Street, NW (entrance on 21st Street, between K and L Streets). Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues. A sandwich lunch will be provided. RSVP to Simone Hill Lee (s.hill-lee@cgiar.org; Tel: 202.862.8107).