The World Food Prize Foundation

World Food Prize Foundation Announces Theme of Annual Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium

06/30/2020

Today, the World Food Prize Foundation announced the theme of the 2020 Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium - “Breaking New Ground: Building Resilience Today for Improved Global Food Systems Tomorrow.” The theme will examine four major vulnerabilities or “cracks” in food systems: Climate Change, Equity & Access, Nutrition, and Finance & Investment. Actions and outcomes that advance food security and system resilience are the focus.

“With the numerous challenges the world faces, it is essential to have a comprehensive approach to truly build resilience in our food systems,” said Barbara Stinson, President of the World Food Prize Foundation. “We hope that this year’s conference inspires action and drives innovation to advance global food security.”

The conference, informally known as the Borlaug Dialogue, taking place virtually October 12-16, will convene an extraordinary array of international leaders and experts to address the most critical issues facing global food security.

“Despite not being able to meet in person, we will take the opportunity to widen our scope, increase our participation and offer more,” said Stinson. “We will offer more interaction through roundtable discussions and workshops,, along with a new plenary format that features increased accessibility for a broader audience."

NEW THIS YEAR: The conference will be offered in a week of half-day sessions in a virtual setting. Through a series of live and on-demand components, registrants will hear from leaders and champions, dive into key interdisciplinary topics, and interact with new and familiar partners and colleagues.  

Each day, we will offer three types of live sessions - a panel discussion, a roundtable session and a workshop. Participants will connect through a discussion board feature. This year, the students of the Global Youth Institute will participate directly in presentations and discussions on the key topics: Climate Change, Equity & Access, Nutrition, and Finance & Investment in the context of resilience. 

MORE INFORMATION: Registration information will be shared later this summer. Visit www.worldfoodprize.org/BorlaugDialogue for more information. 

Laureate Award Ceremony: This year’s Laureate will be honored and officially awarded the World Food Prize. The ceremony will be made available via Iowa PBS and webcast on October 15 at 7 p.m. CDT.

In addition to the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium, other events that are a part of the World Food Prize Foundation annual week of events will proceed in a virtual format. 

2020 Iowa Hunger Summit - The Iowa Hunger Summit (October 19- 23) will be a free and public week-long virtual event for all Iowans to engage in constructive dialogue confronting and addressing hunger and food insecurity in Iowa. Currently, breakout session applications are being accepted through August 1 and organizations & initiatives interested in organizing a session should apply at www.IowaHungerSummit.org/APPLY. Registration information will be shared later this summer. 

2020 Global Youth Institute - The Global Youth Institute (October 12 - 23) will be an interactive virtual conference, including Roundtable Discussions and participation in the International Borlaug Dialogue. Over 200 selected student delegates from around the world will engage in a series of live and on-demand sessions with leading food security experts. They will share their innovative ideas for addressing our world’s most pressing issues in hunger and poverty. 

NEW Borlaug 101: Student Web Series - This inaugural free student web series (October 19 - 23) will engage leading food security organizations in discussion-based sessions that will offer practical tools for any student to learn more about and get further involved in combating food insecurity.

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