The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests in the Context of National Food Security represent an inclusive, transparent international agreement on the governance of tenure to promote food security and sustainable development by protecting the legitimate tenure rights of millions of people and improving secure access to land, fisheries, and forests. Endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), the guidelines have received global recognition, including at the recent G8, G20, and Rio +20 meetings, but their real value will be determined by their contribution to changes in the lives and the livelihoods of men and women around the globe, and particularly of the vulnerable and marginalized. This event will explore the the consultative process stakeholders undertook to create the Guidelines, their technical scope and the implications of their implementation throughout the world.

U.S. agricultural development efforts have been focused on smallholder farmers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Thurow's latest book chronicles his experiences living with a group of farmers in rural Kenya, and the challenges and opportunities they face. He also highlights how the One Acre Fund has been able to improve livelihoods through a "market bundle" that includes seed and fertilizer distribution, financing, group education, and market facilitation.

featuring

Dr. Shukri Ahmed, Senior Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization

moderated by

Ambassador William Garvelink, Senior Adviser, Project on U.S. Leadership in Development, CSIS

Please join us for a timely discussion on a pilot project underway in Ethiopia utilizing rainfall index insurance to help facilitate access to credit for smallholder farmers. This innovative insurance, combined with credit so as to provide a collateral substitute, can allow farmers to access improved agricultural technologies and ultimately realize increases in productivity. Given the essential role that agriculture plays in the Ethiopian economy, this approach can have a significant impact on reducing poverty. Dr. Shukri Ahmed of the FAO will deliver a presentation on this innovative project, followed by a discussion session moderated by Ambassador William Garvelink of CSIS. 

Innovative financing is of core importance to acheiving global food security goals, but maximizing the impact of financial resources requires techinical assistance, access to extension and education, and an array of other services that can be challenging to implement. This event featured a roundtable discussion focusing on these challenges and the most effective solutions. Some of the leading thinkers on this issue, Mr. Temitope Oshikoya of Ecobank, Dr. William Lesher of the Global Harvest Initiative, Mr. Kofi Boakye of USAID's Development Credit Authority, Mr. Bruce Cameron of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and Mr. Thomas Campbell of the Millenium Challenge Corporation provided their thoughts in a discussion moderated by Mr. Terry Wyer of CSIS.

 Please join the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Global Food Security Project for a roundtable discussion focusing on smallholder agriculture and lessons learned by two NGOs working in the field. Ms. Margaret Vernon, Country Director for One Acre Fund, and Dr. Kimberley Roberts, Chairwoman of TractorShare, will share their stories on what their organizations are doing on the ground to successfully serve smallholder farmers, including providing access to farm inputs and equipment, financing, and training. Ambassador Bill Garvelink, Senior Adviser, U.S. Leadership in Development Program at CSIS, will moderate the discussion. 

Featuring:

Panel 1:

Panel 2:

Moderated by:

North Korea's sudden regime change has created a great deal of uncertainty for the country's political, social, and economic prospects. Given the increasing severity of the food crisis due to severe flooding, there is a need for focused attention from the international community to coordinate an effective humanitarian response. CSIS held a two-part panel discussion to evaluate the future of North Korean food security. Our first panel examined the political environment, followed by an in-depth discussion of the global humanitarian response.

Featuring:

Opening Remarks:

An Overview of "Strategic Partnerships to Build African Scientific Capacity for Agriculture"

2:00-2:10 pm               Welcome and opening remarks

Ms. Johanna Nesseth Tuttle, Director, Global Food Security Project, and Vice President for Strategic Planning, CSIS

2:10-3:00 pm               Panel One: Agribusiness development in Africa in a time of global food price volatility               

Panelists:

3:00-4:15pm                Panel Two: U.S. government partnerships with African private sector partners

Moderators:

Panelists:

4:15-5:15pm                Panel Three: Market-based solutions to nutrition and links to agriculture

Moderator:

Panelists:

2:00-2:10 pm               Welcome and opening remarks

Ms. Johanna Nesseth Tuttle, Director, Global Food Security Project, and Vice President for Strategic Planning, CSIS

2:10-3:00 pm               Panel One: Agribusiness development in Africa in a time of global food price volatility               

Panelists:

3:00-4:15pm                Panel Two: U.S. government partnerships with African private sector partners

Moderators:

Panelists:

4:15-5:15pm                Panel Three: Market-based solutions to nutrition and links to agriculture

Moderator:

Panelists: