Experts gather at McGill University to address food security challenges

Leading experts from international agencies, NGOs, the food industry and academia will meet at McGill University, in Montreal, Oct. 5-7 to discuss the increasing challenges relating to food security in the world. The 2nd McGill Conference on Global Food Security will focus on the effects of the global economic crisis on food supply and production.

In the past year, approximately 100 million people have been added to the ranks of the roughly 1 billion people worldwide considered to be undernourished, according to a recent report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.

The discussions at the McGill conference will address topics such as food security in a challenging economic environment, the effects of markets and trade, climate change and the production of biofuels, access to farm credit, the investments needed for agricultural development as well as the response of international agencies to challenges of food security.

Representatives of developing and emerging economy countries will speak on their country's experiences. Joining them will be leading academics and officials from a wide range of international agencies, such as the World Bank, the United Nations World Food Program, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Canadian International Development Agency, among others. Several of these experts will gather for a public panel discussion, on Oct. 5 at 5 pm, on "The effects of the global recession and future prospects".

WHAT: McGill Conference on Global Food Security

WHEN: October 5, 6 and 7, 2009

WHERE: New Residence Hall, McGill University
3625 avenue du Parc, Montreal

Public Lecture (October 5, 5 p.m.)
Salon Mont-Royal, Centre Mont-Royal
2200 Mansfield St., Montreal

Source: McGill University