‚Seeking opportunities in times of crisis‘ – a colloquium to inaugurate the Centre for Development Research
14 October 2009, 17:00 – 19:30, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

Background
The great majority of poor and food insecure people in developing countries depend on natural resources, such as land, water, plants, livestock, and fisheries. Increasing environmental degradation, climate change and economic inequalities between rich and poor are jeopardising more peoples’ ability to live secure and healthy lives. In the long run, this will result in a widening global divide, leading to unknown tensions affecting us all.

The challenge ahead is to implement effective strategies and policies that ensure access to natural resources, the right to food, human health, equal market opportunities, and well-being. BOKU and its partners are already developing practical theories that work for vulnerable users of natural resources. Through the opening of the Centre for Development Research we hope to strengthen this role. This colloquium, which marks the inauguration of the centre, asks what science can contribute to effective partnerships for overcoming local and global crises.

Programme
17:00 – 17:15 Welcome
Institutionalising a commitment: applied development research at BOKU. Martin Gerzabek (BOKU l Austria), Monika Sieghardt (BOKU l Austria), Hartmut Kahlert (Graz University of Technology l Austria)

17:15 – 17:30 Keynote Speech
Challenges for research and development in times of multiple crises. Didier Pillot (Montpellier SupAgro l France)

17:30 – 18:00 Snapshots
Turning challenges into opportunities for sustainable development. Willibald Loiskandl, Lisa Aigelsperger, Georg Gratzer, Werner Zollitsch, Roland Linzner (BOKU l Austria)

18:00 – 18:20 Strategies
The Centre for Development Research – an attempt to strengthen scientific collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders. Michael Hauser (BOKU l Austria)

18:20 – 18:30 Global views
Overcoming crises. A kaleidoscope of opinions from around the world. Ataharul Chowdhury (BOKU l Austria & Bangladesh)

18:30 – 19:30 Round table
Effective development partnerships – what can science contribute? Esau Galukande (BOKU l Austria & Uganda), Ruth Picker (Global Responsibility l Austria), Martin Gerzabek (BOKU l Austria), Paul Van Mele (WARDA l Benin), Barbara Weitgruber (BMWF l Austria)

Reception


Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Peter Jordan Strasse 82, Franz Schwackhöfer Haus (entrance Wilhelm Exner Haus), Aula, 1190 Vienna. To get there by bus take the 10 A from Heiligenstadt or 40 A from Schottentor to Dänenstraße.

Please register via email: cdr@boku.ac.at
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