Saturday, January 29, 2011

Eco-Comedy Video Competition Spring 2011 - $1000 prize!

Eco-Comedy Video Competition Spring 2011

$1000 Prize!

Sponsored by AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking and the Sierra Club
Co-sponsored by Mill Reef Productions and Eco-Sense


Guidelines
The contest is open to anyone who prepares a short, funny video for YouTube which communicates a clear message that strongly motivates a specific behavior change (for example, driving a fuel efficient car, turning down thermostats, or donating to a conservation cause).

Submissions must:

  • Be humorous!
  • Address a critical environmental issue
  • Be an original production
  • Reach a broad audience beyond just environmentalists
  • Be less than three (3) minutes

There will be six judges representing the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, Sierra Club, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Mill Reef Productions, and Eco-Sense. The decision of the judges is final. Awards are based on overall merit of the entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award. The organizations listed above reserve the right to post submissions on their websites.

Submissions are due by March 1, 2011. Submissions that are not received by March 1, 2011 will not be judged. The winner will be announced at American University on Tuesday, March 22 at the DC Environmental Film Festival.

For more information regarding submission guidelines and contest rules, visit: http://www.environmentalfilm.org http://www.environmentalfilm.org

Questions may be addressed to Chris Palmer at palmer@american.edu

Forbes.com: Ten Top-Earning Celebrity Chefs

My gmail has seen so much traffic with the word "food" in it that it recommended this tasty headline. Think about the role that celebrity plays in our relationship with food, cooking, and eating out. (Not an actual assignment, just some food for thought!)

http://bit.ly/hLzVMd

Friday, January 28, 2011

Getting Down to Business: Scaling Up Agricultural Development in Africa

DATE: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - 08:00 - Wednesday, March 2, 2011 - 17:00

LOCATION:
Washington Court Hotel
525 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

The Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa is pleased to announce the third annual US-Africa Forum:

Getting Down to Business: Scaling Up Agricultural Development in Africa

Preliminary conference agenda
Registration form
Volunteer at the conference

This year’s Forum will take place at a time of significant transition. In Africa, there is growing ownership of national agricultural development strategies and progress in implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP). In the US, the Obama Administration has substantially increased funding for demand-driven agricultural development and food security, designating the Feed the Future (FTF) initiative as one of two top foreign assistance priorities. At the same time, however, the slow economic recovery, combined with an escalating budget deficit, is ushering in a new era of fiscal austerity which is likely to affect US foreign assistance. And, most recently, there has been a resurgence of food price volatility and concern about how countries will respond to this threat.

With these important changes as the backdrop, the goals for the 2011 Forum are:

To assess progress made over the past year, in Africa and the US, towards achieving our shared vision of “more and better” investments in African agriculture that significantly boosts agricultural productivity and market development, and leads to improved food security, nutrition and incomes; and

To develop clear recommendations for actions that will accelerate efforts to “get down to business” and scale up impacts of the CAADP and Feed the Future initiatives.

The 2011 Forum discussions will focus on two main themes which we believe are critical to increasing the effectiveness and scale of food security efforts: partnership and “learning while doing.” Our discussions will address the effectiveness and reach of partnerships in four key areas: providing emergency food and nutrition assistance while promoting long-term food security; building farmer organizations and associations; boosting private investment; and linking the community of higher education, research and training organizations. As we implement, it is essential to track what is working and what is not. Conference discussions will also review plans and progress related to monitoring and evaluation in CAADP and FTF, and consider opportunities and options for learning while doing in these frameworks.

As in the past, we will strive to give voice to diverse perspectives from African, US and multilateral partners. The Forum will feature a mix of keynote speakers, plenary presentations, and guided breakout group discussions that will drive toward the identification of practical options for addressing key problems.

Forum Agenda: Please click here to view a preliminary Forum agenda.

Forum Registration: Please download and complete the Forum registration form, then fax to 202-488-0590, email as attachment to rvoss@partnership-africa.org or mail to Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa, 499 S Capitol Street SW, Suite 500B, Washington, DC 20003. The deadline for registration is COB February 16, 2011. You will receive a confirmation email when we have processed and confirmed your space at the conference, no later than February 18, 2011. If you need to plan travel in advance, please submit your registration form as soon as possible and indicate your need for early confirmation.

Please note: Space is limited, and we expect the Forum to reach capacity. Priority will be given to members of the Partnership and early registrants.

Ray Almeida Fund: In lieu of a conference fee, the Partnership will again be collecting donations to the Ray Almeida Fund, established at last year’s Forum to honor the late Ray Almeida, a longtime Partnership colleague and passionate advocate for Africa’s small farmers. The Fund facilitates the participation of African civil society and farm organization leaders in important events related to African agriculture, food security and trade. Please visit our website for more information on the Fund and our 2010 Ray Almeida Fellow. The suggested minimum contribution for all Forum participants is $25 per individual. Checks should be written to the “Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa” with “Ray Almeida Fund” on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to the Partnership with your registration form or handed to the Partnership staff at the Forum registration table.

We hope you will be able to join us for two days of lively and substantive discussions around shared experiences, lessons, and recommendations for next steps on Scaling Up Agricultural Development in Africa.

Please direct any related questions to Rachel Voss at rvoss@partnership-africa.org. If experiencing difficulties accessing the agenda and registration form, please try again later; we anticipate heavy traffic to the Partnership website.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Gloria Barron Scholarship

Gloria Barron Scholarship

Applications for the 2011 scholarship are now being accepted.

Deadline: March 31, 2011

The Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship is available to qualified graduate students. It is created in honor of Gloria Barron, dedicated educator and tireless advocate for wilderness protection, and administered by The Wilderness Society, a leading conservation organization based in Washington, D.C. We award a $10,000 scholarship to a graduate student for the coming academic year to support research and preparation of a paper on an aspect of wilderness. We strongly encourage proposals relating to climate change, as well as other topics regarding wilderness conservation.

Additional funding will be provided to pay travel expenses for the recipient to work with staff members of The Wilderness Society on this project. The Wilderness Society wishes to encourage the publication of this work in an academic journal or other appropriate medium and has additional funds to help cover expenses of publishing and publicizing the final paper.

The scholarship seeks to encourage individuals who have the potential to make a significant positive difference in the long term protection of wilderness in North America. In the past, individuals like Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson have made that kind of lasting difference. They possessed all the skills needed to excel in their respective professions, but they also possessed something more: the courage and the vision to think afresh about how and why to protect our wild lands and the ability to communicate those ideas effectively to others.

Read more about the scholarship. [1]
Read about past scholarship recipients. [2]


Application Procedures and Guidelines

1. Eligibility Requirements for Scholarship Applications

Graduate students meeting the eligibility requirements noted below may apply directly to The Wilderness Society. If you are an applicant, please make sure you meet all of the scholarship eligibility requirements and follow the application procedures below.

Applicants for the Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship must:

  • be enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in North America;
  • have strong academic qualifications;
  • have academic and/or career goals focused on making a significant positive difference in the long-term protection of wilderness in North America. Graduate students in natural resources management, law or policy programs are strongly encouraged to apply.

2. Application Procedure

All students applying for the Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship must submit the following materials for an application to be considered complete:

  • A two-page double-spaced cover letter. The letter must offer insights into the personal motivations of the applicant as well as how wilderness has influenced your life. If, in the course of this essay, you could give us some understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, this would also be helpful.
  • A 3-5 page double-spaced proposal. The proposal must include a description of the proposed work and a timeline for completion of a paper within 24 months. The 5-page proposal limit does not include your list of references/citations. See Research Topics for guidelines.
  • A current résumé or curriculum vitae.
  • Two letters of recommendation describing the applicant's ability to meet the objectives of the scholarship and proposed work. The letters can be included with the rest of the application materials or recommenders can e-mail them directly to barron_scholarship@tws.org [3].
  • Scanned undergraduate and graduate transcripts (official or unofficial).

All application materials must be submitted to Barron_scholarship@tws.org [4] no later than 5:00 pm Eastern, March 31. Faxes or mail applications are not acceptable.

3. Research Topics

The research paper should address an aspect of the establishment, protection, or management of wilderness. The applicant may choose to discuss a subject relevant to current programs of The Wilderness Society. It may apply to a particular landscape or it may address issues broadly. The following themes are suggested research topics:

  • Restoration of the health and function of wilderness. For example: what is "good" ecological restoration?; what is the proper scale and at what point can a system be considered restored?
  • Reserve design in the context of ecosystem management. Research into the role of reserves in the conservation of ecosystem integrity and/or the effect of climate change scenarios on reserve design would fall under this heading.
  • Management impacts on wildland ecosystems. Question like how do roads affect ecosystem function and what roles should roadless areas play in protecting ecosystem integrity, what are the ecological and social impacts of grazing in wildland ecosystems, and what can be done to protect wildland ecosystems from biological invasion are examples.
  • Valuing wildlands. Topics include how wildland protection contributes to rural economic health and the design of policies and programs to help rural communities leverage the economic value of protecting wildland ecosystems.
  • Connecting people to wildlands. The contributions of wilderness to public health and well-being, particularly for residents of metropolitan areas, are possible topics under this heading.
  • Impacts of climate change. Potential research questions include: what are the terrestrial and aquatic impacts of climate change on wilderness areas and wilderness resources; what is the relationship between wildland fire, carbon emissions/sequestration, and climate change; what are the economic effects of climate change on wildland ecosystem services such as water quality and quantity; and what are the implications of climate change for wilderness management?

Important: Research proposals related to climate change are strongly encouraged.

4. Scholarship Requirements

Scholarship Payments: The scholarship is paid in two installments, the first in August for $7,000 and the second in February for the remaining $3,000. The recipient may be liable for income tax on the scholarship. Please consult with your tax advisor on the proper treatment of the award.

Additional funding will be provided to pay travel expenses for the recipient to work with staff members of The Wilderness Society on this project. The Society wishes to encourage the publication of this work in an academic journal or other appropriate medium and has additional funds to help cover expenses of publishing and publicizing the final paper.

Progress and Final Reports

The recipients are required to submit a paper describing the findings of their research project within 24 months of receiving the award. In order to receive the second payment, the recipient must send a letter summarizing the status of his/her project and the expected completion date in January or February.

5. Other information

For more information, please contact Christine Soliva [3].

When and Where to Apply

Application Deadline:
March 31 at 5:00 pm Eastern

Fellowship Payment Dates:
August
February

Contact for further information:
Christine Soliva [3], Research Project Coordinator
No phone calls please.

Applications must be emailed to:
Christine Soliva
Research Project Coordinator
Ecology and Economics Research Department
The Wilderness Society
Barron_scholarship@tws.org [3]

Fax or mail applications are not accepted.

The Wilderness Society does not discriminate on any basis including race, color, age, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or provincial law.


Links:
[1] http://wilderness.org/gloria-barron-scholarship
[2] http://wilderness.org/gloria-barron-scholarship-recipients
[3] http://wilderness.org/javascript%3Alocation.href%3D%27mailto%3A%27%20String.fromCharCode%2898%2C97%2C114%2C114%2C111%2C110%2C95%2C115%2C99%2C104%2C111%2C108%2C97%2C114%2C115%2C104%2C105%2C112%2C64%2C116%2C119%2C115%2C46%2C111%2C114%2C103%29%20%27%3F
[4] http://wilderness.org/javascript%3Alocation.href%3D%27mailto%3A%27%20String.fromCharCode%2866%2C97%2C114%2C114%2C111%2C110%2C95%2C115%2C99%2C104%2C111%2C108%2C97%2C114%2C115%2C104%2C105%2C112%2C64%2C116%2C119%2C115%2C46%2C111%2C114%2C103%29%20%27%3F

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

DCEN LUNCHEON: Feb 3, 2011 DC Climate Update: What Can We Do in the District?

The DC Environmental Network Invites All Metro-Based Environmentalists to a BROWN BAG LUNCHEON:

DC Climate Update: What Can We Do at the Local Level?

featuring:

- Mike Healy, Skyline Innovations and Board Member, MD/DC/VA Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA)

- Felipe Witchger, Lead Organizer, Energy & Partnerships, The DC Project

- John Macgregor, Politics & Prose Climate Action Project

- Chris Weiss, Director, DC Environmental Network (moderator)

Background:

The Wall Street Journal reported today that sources are suggesting "there will be no (federal) climate or carbon bill in the next two years." Additionally it looks like Carol Browner is leaving her position as "energy czar" and President Obama probably will not maintain this high level position in its current form, possibly to appease business leaders. Congressional Republicans are looking to push back on some of the limited progress that has been made to curb carbon emissions. All of this is happening even as we see new evidence of global warming and its potential impacts each day.

What does that mean to us here in the District of Columbia?

It means state and local governments and the communities within them have to continue to be the driver for policies and programs that reduce energy use and significantly curb carbon emissions. The District and surrounding region is very lucky to have a highly motivated group of organizations and activists who are working hard to fight global warming. We will have brief presentations from some of these climate heroes on what are priorities might be with a new Mayor and a re-configured DC Council.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT!

What climate policy changes are on the table today in the District?

Councilmember Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3) recently introduced two bills to bring cleaner and more reliable electricity to DC. We will also discuss what needs to be done to improve and help pass these two bills.

- The first bill, the Reliable Electric Service Amendment Act of 2011 ( click to view), would establish reliability performance standards and authorize the Public Service Commission, the entity responsible for overseeing the electrical grid in DC, to impose penalties on utilities that do not meet those standards. According to a recent Washington Post report, outages in the District occur more frequently and for longer than in other areas. Among the provisions in the bill are benchmarks that would improve the District’s electric reliability from the bottom 20% for reliability to the top 20% by 2020. “The reliability of the District’s electricity system is among the worst in the country and the Public Service Commission has allowed PEPCO to continue making large profits,” said Cheh. “It’s time for the District to establish clear standards for reliability and hold utilities accountable for failing to meet them.”

- The second bill, the Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 ( click to view), would reduce the load on the District’s distribution grid by increasing the amount of solar energy used in DC. The legislation would increase the solar-energy set aside of the existing Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard to 2.5% by 2020. It would also require utility companies to purchase solar-energy credits from systems located within the District or served by the District’s distribution grid. “Solar energy is thriving in the District, but more needs to be done,” said Cheh. “By creating new incentives for solar systems, we get cleaner and more reliable electricity in DC.”

Join us for this important discussion!

DATE: Thursday, February 3, 2011

TIME: 12:00 NOON to 1:30 PM

PLACE: Global Green USA (offices of Friends of the Earth), 1100 15th Street NW, 11th Floor. Near Farragut North & McPherson Square Metro Stations

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT!

CALL-IN NUMBER: 775-269-3893 When prompted enter 399602

For more information contact Chris Weiss at 202-518-8782.

More events coming soon! CW

Upcoming screening of "The Human Spark"

--Thursday, Feb 17, 730pm


Screening of PBS series episode "The Human Spark," directed by SOC Prof. Larry Engel, and awarded the AAAS Science Journalism prize for in-depth TV reporting followed by panel discussion.

Weschler Theater, 3rd Floor, Mary Graydon Hall. Co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences.

Screening will be followed by discussion of key issues related to media, communication, and the debate over the teaching of evolution with Larry Engel, AU film professor and Human Spark director; Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, and Jay Labov, Senior Advisor for Education and Communication at the National Academies. Discussion moderated by AU science communication professor Matthew Nisbet.

Monday, January 24, 2011

The 6th Annual Spring 2011 Film Series

AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking

and Filmmakers for Conservation

Present:

The 6th Annual Spring 2011 Film Series

Hosted by Chris Palmer and Justine Schmidt

Free and Open to the Public

No Reservation Required

Wechsler Theater, 3rd Floor, Mary Graydon Center
American University

For more information, please contact:
Chris Palmer 202.885.3408 or palmer@american.edu
Justine Schmidt 202.413.4490 or justineschmidt2002@yahoo.com

Or visit environmentalfilm.org or filmmakersforconservation.org

Tuesday, February 8 at 7 p.m.
National Geographic Society’s landmark series Great Migrations

Series Producer David Hamlin will show excerpts from the stunning footage he and a team of world-class filmmakers shot over three years in 20 countries and talk about the challenges they encountered. Great Migrations is the most ambitious series in the history of the National Geographic Society -- a seven hour exploration of the millions of creatures who wage tortuous journeys every year for the sake of themselves, their families and even their species.

Tuesday, February 15 at 7 p.m.
Using Satellite Images to Protect our Environment
An illustrated talk by John Amos, the Founder and President of SkyTruth

SkyTruth, a nonprofit organization based in Shepherdstown, WV, uses satellite images to investigate and illustrate the many ways in which human activity is changing our environment. We'll look at the impacts of mountaintop removal of coal in Appalachia, natural gas drilling in Wyoming, and oil pollution in the Gulf of Mexico from last year's tragic BP spill. And we’ll enjoy a few images that remind us what a beautiful and fascinating planet we live on.

Note: The March 17-24 events are also part of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org)

Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m.
On Coal River (2010, 80 minutes)

Viewers embark on a gripping emotional journey into the Coal River Valley of West Virginia, a community surrounded by lush mountains and a looming toxic threat. Local people fight against the destructive practice of mountaintop removal and confront Massey Energy.

Monday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The River Why, followed at 8:15 p.m. by Greenlit
Screening followed by discussion with Chris Palmer and Larry Engel

The River Why depicts a man’s love for the wilderness and his love for a beautiful woman who comes to share it with him. Greenlit explores the damaging effects of the film business on the environment by following the crew of The River Why as they try to “green” their film.

Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. (Reception with drinks and food at 6:30 p.m.)
An Evening with Chris Palmer: The Impact of “Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom”

When Chris Palmer’s book Shooting in the Wild was published last May, it sparked praise, great interest, and controversy after he appeared on ABC Nightline, Good Morning America, NPR, and many other programs. Chris will discuss the controversy and sign books after his presentation. He will also announce the winners of the Eco-Comedy Video Competition (co-sponsored with the Sierra Club) and show the winning entries.

Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. (Reception with drinks and food at 6:30 p.m.)
Student Environmental Short Film Festival (co-sponsored by REI)
Screenings hosted by Professors Chris Palmer and Sandy Cannon-Brown

More than ten short student films will be shown, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m.
“OK, I’ve Watched the Film, Now What?”

Panel Discussion featuring Maryanne Culpepper, National Geographic; Jason Robey, Animal Planet; Diane MacEachern, author and founder of Big Green Purse, and Vanessa Serrao, founder, producer and host of NatureBreak.org. Moderated by Chris Palmer.

How do we produce films that make a difference? This panel, punctuating their remarks with clips of inspiring films, explores ways we can turn films into action at both the policy and personal levels. Our panelists consider the challenge of producing films that have a tangible, palpable, and measurable impact on their audiences.

Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m.
“Duck! (a duckumentary)”
Screening and presentation by AU/SOC alum Danny Ledonne

They swim, they waddle, and they fly. They are the subjects of art, science, history, and popular entertainment. They are cartoons, stamps, carvings, pets, and even dinner. They are ducks! Across America, their quirky and often comical interactions can teach us about our feathery neighbors, our planet, and ourselves. Danny Ledonne will premiere his thesis film about these extraordinary and often humorous birds. After the screening, he promises not to duck any fowl questions.


Saturday, January 22, 2011

Feeding the Future: African Hunger, American Business and Gobal Stability


ActionAid, Alliance to End Hunger, CARE, ONE, Oxfam America, Partnership to Cut Hunger & Poverty in Africa, TechnoServe, World Food Programme-USA

*RSVP by COB Thursday, February 3*

Congressional Lunch Briefing:

Feeding the Future: African Hunger, American Business and Global Stability

Monday, February 7, 2010
12:00-1:30pm

Cannon House Office Building, Room #121
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC

Agenda

Introduction: Rick Leach, President and CEO, World Food Program USA, Moderator - Overview of Key Budget and Policy Issues Critical for Alleviating Global Hunger & Empowering the Poor

Featured Speaker: Gayle Smith, Senior Director, National Security Council (Invited) - Advancing Economic Opportunity and National Security: How the U.S. is leading global efforts to promote food security and why this leadership is Good for the World’s Hungry and Global Stability

Discussants:

  • Florencia Cipriano, Mozambique Poultry Industry
    Impact of US Support on Farming, Poverty and Stability in Mozambique
  • Devry Boughner, Director of International Business Relations, Cargill
    Agricultural & Economic Development: Implications for U.S. Business
  • Jim McLaughlin, President, McLaughlin & Associates
    Global Hunger & Food Security: Public Opinion and Voter Attitudes

Question & Answer

Closing Remarks: James Kimonyo, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States (invited)

A light lunch will be served at 11:45am.


To register for this event, please click here.

Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa.
499 S. Capitol Street S.W. Suite 500B, Washington, D.C. 20003 | (202) 479-4501

This is an automated message; do not reply.
Please direct questions or feedback to Rachel Voss at
rvoss@partnership-africa.org

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Book Release Party @ Busboy's and Poets

Friday 1/28th 6:30pm @ Busboy's and Poets (14th & V. - 2021 14th St, DC)

DC Release Party w/author Daniel Tucker

co-sponsored by the National Family Farm Coalition


Featuring a discussion and slideshow about:

Farm Together Now: A portrait of people, places and ideas for a new food movement

By Amy Franceschini & Daniel Tucker, with a foreword by Mark Bittman

Photography by Anne Hamersky & Illustrations by Corinne Matesich

Published by Chronicle Books (December, 2010).

RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=172222726148950

More info on the book: http://farmtogethernow.org/about/

* * * *

in bookstores: http://farmtogethernow.org

Monday, January 17, 2011

German and American Authors Compare Political Consumerism

Between Currywurst and Tofu: How Good Food Makes a Difference

German and American Authors Compare Political Consumerism


(Washington, DC, January 13, 2011) Is what we eat still something we decide ourselves? Does the food industry control what will end up on our plates and what we are allowed to know about our food? On Wednesday, February 2, at 6:30 pm, the Goethe-Institut Washington will host “Between Currywurst and Tofu: How Good Food Makes a Difference,” a panel discussion by American and German authors who have written on this topic. The session will examine some of the food industry’s promises, what a balanced and sustainable diet looks like, and ways for consumers to keep having the last word about food.

Panelists:

Tanja Busse
, freelance journalist for Die Zeit and Germany’s Greenpeace magazine
Mark Winne, food activist and former executive director of the Hartford Food System from 1979 to 2003
Moderated by Erik Assadourian, Senior Fellow, Transforming Cultures Project; Director, Worldwatch Institute

Tanja Busse is the author of the German non-fiction bestseller Die Einkaufsrevolution (2006), dealing with political consumerism, along with other publications dealing with agriculture and scandals in the food industry.

Mark Winne’s latest book, Food Rebels, Guerilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cookin’ Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture and Closing the Food Gap, challenges us to go beyond eating local food to become part of a larger solution that demands a system that sustains not just our bodies, but also our souls.

Reception follows with organic foods. This is part of the “Green Living” series of discussions organized in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation. No charge. RSVP to 202-289-1200 ext 163 or rsvp@washington.goethe.org

More: www.goethe.de/ins/us/was/ver/en6959906v.htm

About the Goethe-Institut:

On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, cultural institutes around the world provide cultural programs, language courses, support to educators, and up-to-date information on Germany in the context of Europe. Founded in 1990, Goethe-Institut Washington, DC is a center for German culture and language, and for the coordination of media projects for all of North America. From its location in the revitalized Downtown, the Goethe-Institut Washington reaches out to both individuals and organizations in the community, bridging the past, present, and future with high-quality events.

About the Heinrich Böll Foundation:

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is a political non-profit organization striving to promote democracy, civil society, equality and a healthy environment internationally. Headquartered in Berlin/Germany, the Heinrich Böll Foundation has 28 offices worldwide and cooperates with more than 200 partners in more than 60 countries.

Address:

812 Seventh St. NW

Washington, DC 20001

Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown

202-289-1200

www.goethe.de/washington

Spring 2011 blog is open

Hello and welcome to SIS 388! This blog will be used to keep you up to date on events and internships that we find along the way that you will find interesting in your careers, and to bring you further exposure to food and agricultural policy and practices. If you have an event that you'd like to spread, please let Peter know at pm9175a@american.edu and he'll be happy to post it for you.

"Innovations that Nourish the Planet"

I believe the RSVP for this event has passed, but note the website will have a broadcast.

15th Annual State of the World 2011 Symposium

"Innovations that Nourish the Planet"

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1779 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036-2103

Time: Briefing: 1:30pm - 5:00pm;
Reception: 5:00 - 6:30pm

Venue: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC

Video of the event will be broadcast on
www.NourishingthePlanet.orgg

Speakers:
Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World
Hans Herren, President, Millennium Institute
Christopher Flavin, President, Worldwatch Institute
Danielle Nierenberg, Senior Researcher & Co-project Director, Worldwatch Institute, Nourishing the Planet
Sara Scherr, President and CEO, Ecoagriculture Partners
Edward Mukiibi, Co-founder and Project Coordinator, Developing Innovations in School Cultivation (DISC), Uganda
Sithembile Ndema, Natural Resources and Environment Programme Manager, Food and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), South Africa
Meera Shekar, Lead Health & Nutrition Specialist with the Human Development Network at the World Bank
Stephanie Hanson, Director of Policy and Outreach, One Acre Fund

About the Event

Agricultural development has come to a crossroads. Nearly a half-century after the Green Revolution a large share of the human family is still chronically hungry. At the same time, investments in agricultural development by governments, international lenders, and foundations are at historic lows. But recently, a new generation of innovative approaches to hunger alleviation has emerged from farmers groups, private voluntary organizations, universities, and agribusiness companies.

Please join the pioneers of environmentally sustainable agriculture practices for an afternoon briefing that will explore the innovative next steps required to create a sustainable food system.

*Please RSVP by January 12, 2011 to astone@worldwatch.org or call Amanda Stone at 202.452.1999 ext 514