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Des Moines, Iowa (Feb. 10, 2014) – The World Food Prize Foundation will this week launch its Interactive Educational Exhibit Wing, which features more than a dozen exhibits with interactive displays, videos, photography and more that invite visitors to explore the world of food and agriculture, Iowa’s humanitarian heritage, and global innovations in feeding the world.
A special reception will be held Tuesday night for community leaders to preview the exhibits, and the entire community is invited to explore the exhibits this weekend. All events are free of charge.
The opening coincides with the centennial celebration of John Ruan Sr., who was born on Feb. 11, 1914. Mr. Ruan, the Des Moines businessman and philanthropist who endowed The World Food Prize and served as chairman for many years, was passionate about inspiring the next generation and, along with Dr. Norman Borlaug, created The World Food Prize youth programs that today impact hundreds of students each year and propel them into academic studies and careers in science, agriculture and related STEM fields. Those youth programs celebrate their 20th anniversary this year.
“We truly hope that these educational exhibits will inspire people young and old to learn more about not only our food system, but also the world around us,” said Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, president of The World Food Prize Foundation. “Through these exhibits, we’ve tried to highlight our agricultural and humanitarian history, showcase World Food Prize programs and the incredible breakthroughs we’ve recognized, and to also give people an inside look at what challenges exist around the world, and what amazing new innovations are being developed to enhance global agriculture.”
The exhibits include an interactive timeline depicting the History of Agriculture, an exhibit on Iowa agricultural stories, a database of the World Food Prize Laureates, a central exhibit on Global Innovations in Feeding the World, exhibits on the history of the century-old Des Moines Public Library building, and many others.
The exhibits have been about three years in the making, and were developed in conjunction with West Office Exhibition Design.
Event Details:
TUESDAY EXHIBIT PREVIEW: Community leaders have been invited to attend an Open House Tuesday night from 5 to 7 p.m. at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust Street, Des Moines. *Note: The media are invited to come early, starting at 4 p.m., and Amb. Quinn will be available for interviews. Please enter through west doors. Contact Megan Forgrave for details or exhibit photos.
GRAND OPENING: The entire community is invited to explore the new exhibits this weekend, during our Grand Opening, Saturday, Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 16, from Noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can also tour the building and see the Howard G. Buffett international photography exhibit on display. Free and open to the public.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE: The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. The Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, the World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout the world. Thirty-nine laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. The World Food Prize also annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, and several youth education programs including the Global Youth Institute and Borlaug-Ruan International Internship to inspire the next generation to explore careers in agriculture and fighting hunger.
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