Launched in 1993, IFPRI’s 2020 Vision Initiative set out to develop and promote a shared vision to eradicate hunger and malnutrition while protecting the environment and to catalyze global action. Through this initiative, IFPRI hosted a landmark series of high-profile conferences, workshops, and meetings to generate debate; produced an array of publications and communication products to inform the global discourse; developed an innovative program to strengthen agricultural economics training in Africa; and much more. The initiative was championed by three of IFPRI’s director generals and spearheaded by Rajul Pandya-Lorch, IFPRI Director of Communications and Public Affairs, for more than 15 years.
As we reach the halfway mark in 2020, how far have we come in realizing the 2020 vision? Join us on July 8 as a distinguished panel of three former IFPRI directors general and Rajul Pandya-Lorch, who will be retiring on July 9, reflect on the initiative’s achievements and look forward to emerging challenges and opportunities for improving food security and nutrition, reducing poverty, and sustainably managing natural resources. The panel will be followed by several brief presentations on more specific elements of the initiative, its impacts, and where progress is still needed, followed by closing remarks from IFPRI’s current director general.
Opening Remarks
- Rajul Pandya-Lorch, Director, Communications and Public Affairs & Chief of Staff, Director General’s Office, IFPRI
Panel Discussion
- Shenggen Fan, Senior Chair Professor, China Agricultural University (CAU) (and former IFPRI Director General)
- Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Professor Emeritus and Graduate School Professor, Cornell University (and former IFPRI Director General)
- Joachim von Braun, Director of the Department for Economic and Technological Change, Center for Development Research, University of Bonn (and former IFPRI Director General)
Rapid Fire Presentations
- Catherine Bertini, Distinguished Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
- Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
- Robert Paarlberg, Adjunct Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University
- Mark Rosegrant, Research Fellow Emeritus, IFPRI
Closing Remarks
- Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
Moderator
- Laura Zseleczky, Program Manager, IFPRI