Dr. Akin Adesina Receives Borlaug CAST Communication Award
12 October 2010 The 2010 Borlaug CAST Communication Award recipient, Dr. Akin Adesina, will be the keynote speaker at a special CAST (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology) breakfast on Wednesday, October 13. Known for his dynamic speaking skills and his passion for world agriculture, Dr. Adesina will address the gathering about the need to impact public understanding of agriculture through communication.
For decades, Dr. Adesina has been advancing the cause of practical, science-based agricultural practices, especially in his home continent of Africa. He is a world-class scholar, and through his eloquent speeches and published papers, he has been working to keep agricultural issues at the forefront. He also provides leadership through such avenues as the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) where he promotes cooperation and action to help farmers. He has the ability to work with governments, the private sector, and smallholder farmers.
As a vice president of AGRA, Dr. Adesina helps set policy and advises former United Nations (U.N.) Secretary Kofi Annan, current Chairman of the Board of AGRA. Recently, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the U.N., appointed Dr. Adesina as one of the 17 world leaders who will consolidate global efforts toward achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Dr. Adesina will emphasize the push to reduce world hunger.
“I am deeply honored by this Borlaug CAST award. But I am also incredibly humbled because it puts an even greater weight on my shoulders to advocate for what I believe in and that is to end poverty and hunger from where I come from-Africa.” Dr. Akin Adesina
The October 13 session is focused on communication, and Dr. Adesina’s remarks will spotlight the theme set by the organizers. The event includes a complimentary breakfast at 7:15 a.m. and comments from several noted speakers: Jay Vroom, Chairman of the Board, CropLife Foundation; John Bonner, Executive Vice President/CEO, CAST; and Pedro Sanchez, Director, Tropical Agriculture, Earth Institute, Columbia University.
Dr. Adesina will officially receive the Borlaug CAST Communication Award, presented by CAST and sponsored by CropLife Foundation. The Borlaug CAST Communication Award is presented annually by CAST for outstanding achievement by a scientist, engineer, technologist, or other professional working in the agricultural, environmental, or food sectors in contributing to the advancement of science in the public policy arena.
The 2010 Borlaug CAST Communication Award is being presented to Dr. Akin Adesina, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, on October 13, 2010, 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. in the Des Moines Room at the Des Moines Marriott. Dr. Adesina will deliver the keynote address.
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