Shenggen Fan chosen as Distinguished Lecturer

It is customary for IUFoST world congresses to include a lecture by a distinguished person, nominated by the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST), who carries a message consistent with the theme of the congress. An invitation to speak as the Distinguished Lecturer is intended to honor the contributions of the invitee, and promotes the dissemination of important scientific information internationally, emphasizing IUFoST's role as a leading source of information in the area of food science and technology.

The Organising Committee takes pleasure in announcing that Dr. Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), will be the Distinguished Lecturer for the 16^th  IUFoST World Congress to be held in Foz de Iguaçu, Brazil, August 2012.
 
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks sustainable solutions for ending hunger and poverty. IFPRI is one of 15 centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an alliance of 64 governments, private foundations, and international and regional organizations.
 
IFPRI’s mission is “- to provide policy solutions that reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition.” This mission flows from that of CGIAR: "To achieve sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research-related activities in the fields of agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries, policy and natural resources management."

Dr. Fan was nominated as Distinguished Lecturer by the Fellows of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology and received approval by the IUFoST Board of Directors. IUFoST is grateful for his kind acceptance of this important invitation.

Dr. Shenggen Fan has been Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) since 2009. He joined IFPRI in 1995 as a research fellow, conducting extensive research on pro-poor development strategies in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. He led IFPRI’s program on public investment before becoming the director of the Institute’s Development Strategy and Governance Division in 2005. Having grown up in rural China in the 1960s and 1970s, he became deeply committed to reducing poverty and hunger and has written extensively about this subject. He received a PhD in applied economics from the University of Minnesota and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nanjing Agricultural University in China. He is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Food Security, as well as an Executive Committee member of the International Association of Agricultural Economists. He currently serves on the editorial boards of Food Policy and the Journal of Chinese Rural Economy. Among the awards he has received are: Distinguished Professional Contribution Award, Southern Agricultural Economics Association (2009); Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals, University of Minnesota (2006); Outstanding Alumni Award, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota (2006); Outstanding Young Scholar Award from the National Science Foundation, China (2005).
 
Distinguished Lecturers at past IUFoST World Congresses have included the Science and Technology Adviser to the US Secretary of State, Dr. Nina Fedoroff (2010), pioneer of the Green Revolution and World Food Prize recipient Dr. M.S. Swaminathan (2008), the former Executive Director of the World Food Programme and recipient of the World Food Prize Dr. Catherine Bertini (2006) and the former Vice President of the World Bank and Head of the Library of Alexandria, Dr. Ismail Serageldin (2003). Earlier Distinguished Lecturers/Founders lecturers have included: Professor Owen Fennema (2001), Dr. Richard L. Hall (1999), Professor J. F. Diehl (1995) and Professor Joseph Hulse (1991).
 
Iguazu Falls is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

Seven natural wonders were chosen through a global poll. This initiative was led by Canadian-Swiss Bernard Weber and organized by the New7Wonders Foundation, a Swiss-based foundation.  Two of these new natural wonders are located in Brazil and one is near the site of our world congress!

The New7Wonders of Nature campaign was launched in 2007, meant to raise awareness of the world’s most beautiful natural sites.  Millions of voters took part in the selection, using such criteria as unique beauty, ecological significance and historical legacy. There were over 440 entries representing over 220 countries.

Official announcement of Iguazu Falls as one of the seven natural wonders was made by the Swiss foundation at the Brazilian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on February 22. Located at the border of Brazil and Argentina, the Falls represents the two countries. The other natural wonders are: Jeju Island, South Korea; Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines; Amazon Rainforest and River, representing nine countries including Brazil; Halong Bay, Vietnam; Komodo Island, Indonesia; Table Mountain, South Africa.
 
Accommodation and travel information now available

The lists of hotels, travel itineraries to and from Foz de Iguaçu and tours are now available.

For more information please visit the 16th IUFoST World Congress website at: http://www.iufost2011.galoa.com.br