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The World Food Prize Foundation, the foremost international organization recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world, announced a new series today titled DialogueNEXT.
Through DialogueNEXT, the Foundation aims to extend its yearly convenings to diverse corners of the world while retracing World Food Prize Founder and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug’s footsteps through the Green Revolution. Revisiting landmarks preserving his legacy and drawing inspiration from his experiences, the series aims to create meaningful DIALOGUE and navigate modern challenges in food security, supporting critical NEXT steps in alleviating global hunger.
“By bringing together experts, policymakers and advocates, we hope to foster innovative solutions and drive progress towards eliminating world hunger,” said Ambassador Terry Branstad, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “The DialogueNEXT series offers a new platform to discuss food insecurity while reflecting on the efforts of those who have come before us.”
In alignment with its mission to elevate innovation and inspire action to enhance the availability, quantity and quality of food for all, the Foundation regularly convenes food security advocates at the state, national and global level. The launch of the DialogueNEXT series will be held at the U.S. Institute of Peace on March 26, 2024. The entire day will be dedicated to highlighting the critical role of women in global food security under the theme Seeds of Equity: Women Driving Growth and Innovation in Agriculture and feature a special collaboration with Roots of Peace, the organization of 2023 World Food Prize Laureate Heidi Kühn.
The inaugural event in Washington, D.C., coincides with International Women’s History Month and celebrates the birthday of the Foundation’s Founder Dr. Norman Borlaug. Additionally, it commemorates the 10th anniversary of Dr. Borlaug’s statue unveiling in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. This event promises to be a platform for robust discussions, innovative ideas and collaborative actions. The Dialogue centers around women’s empowerment and equity, agricultural innovation and technology and the role of women in fostering peace through agriculture.
“As we commemorate the historical context behind the World Food Prize Foundation and International Women’s History Month, this gathering stands as a testament to our commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and collaborative action,” said Mashal Husain, Chief Operating Officer, World Food Prize Foundation. “By recognizing the pivotal role of women in global food security, we're poised to drive transformative change towards a more equitable and sustainable world.”
Following its launch, another convening of DialogueNEXT will take place July 10-11, 2024, at CIMMYT’s global headquarters in Texcoco, México. It was there in 1944 that Dr. Borlaug’s career and transformational impact from Mexico to the world began.
Driven by a single-minded passion for ending hunger and famine, the next two decades of Dr. Borlaug’s career would ultimately produce what would be hailed as “miracle wheat.” This resilient strain would feed the people of Mexico and the world, saving a billion lives and serving as a beacon of scientific agricultural innovation. Now, 80 years later, DialogueNEXT will feature global discussions centered around the theme Seeds of Strength: Nurturing Farmer Resilience.
“The dedication the World Food Prize Foundation has for recognizing true advancements in agriculture is integral to the life-long mission of my grandfather,” said Julie Borlaug, President, Borlaug Foundation and Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors. “This series offers a unique opportunity to draw inspiration from his experiences and chart critical next steps in ongoing efforts made by inspirational global hunger fighters. It is especially meaningful that this first session be dedicated to the essential role of women in agriculture."
Register here and learn more about the March 26 DialogueNEXT: www.worldfoodprize.org/dialoguenext.