THE CRAWFORD FUND
MEDIA ALERT
30 August 2010
2010 International Development Conference
Biodiversity and World Food Security:
Nourishing the Planet and Its People
Parliament House, Canberra
Contact: Cathy Reade 0413 575 934 cathy.reade@crawfordfund.org
30, 31 August and 1 September 2010
.
CAN WE HAVE OUR BIODIVERSITY AND EAT IT TOO?
Professor Stephen D. Hopper, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Dr Christian Samper, Director, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
Dr Emile Frison, Director General, Bioversity International
Professor Hugh Possingham, the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists
A recent panel discussion at Kew Gardens televised by CNN identified loss of biodiversity as a bigger challenge than climate change to the environment and business.
Australian director of Kew Gardens, Professor Steve Hopper is one of a range of the international and Australian advocates and specialists in Parliament House this week to address biodiversity and world food security issues at the Crawford Fund’s 2010 conference.
Speakers include:
30 August in Mural Hall:
8pm The Sir John Crawford Memorial Address:
Professor Stephen D. Hopper, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew will argue that plant diversity is at a turning point.
Prof Hopper is only available for interviews Monday.
31 August in Theatrette:
9-10.20am KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS AND OPENING
Dr Christian Samper, Director, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution who will give a global perspective on nature and food security.
Prof Hugh Possingham, Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists who will argue agriculture should not be seen as the problem, but rather as the solution to biodiversity loss.
The Hon Bob McMullan, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance who will open the event.
12-12.30pm GM AND BIODIVERSITY
Dr TJ Higgins, CSIRO Plant Industry will argue that by maintaining or even increasing yields on existing land, biotechnology crops can aid biodiversity conservation.
1.30-3pm INTERNATIONAL AND AUSTRLIAN SPEAKERS ADDRESSING LIVESTOCK, AQUATIC, FOREST AND MICROBIAL BIODIVERSITY
3.45 Q&A Panel with all speakers, moderated by Dr James Moody, CSIRO/ABCTV Inventors
1 September in Mural Hall (over breakfast):
7.45-8.30am
Dr Emile Frison, Director General, Bioversity International will discuss how agricultural biodiversity, rather than pills and supplements, offers an alternative approach to obesity and malnutrition.
Dr Megan Clark, Chief Executive, CSIRO talking on the importance of biological collections.
Further info/press releases are available at www.crawfordfund.org http://www.crawfordfund.org/ and pre-event interviews can be arranged. Contact Cathy Reade 0413575934.
The Crawford Fund wishes to thank the supporters of this event including ACIAR; AusAID; Austraining International; Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; AIAST; Bioversity International; CAB International; CropLife Australia; CSIRO; Doyle Foundation; Fisheries Research and Development Corporation; Grains Research and Development Corporation; Industrial Research Limited; Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation; World Vegetable Centre
Cathy Reade Coordinator – Public Awareness Crawford Fund Ph/Fax: 07 54483095 Mobile: 0413 575 934 www.crawfordfund.org
The Crawford Fund’s mission is to increase Australia’s engagement in international agricultural research, development and education for the benefit of developing countries and Australia.
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