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The Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security, the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ School of Population and Global Health, and the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics invite you to celebrate the International Day for Women and Girls in Science 2025 with a keynote lecture titled: Transforming Global Food Systems through Diversification, Innovation and Gender Inclusion by Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of the CGIAR (formerly the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research). A cocktail will follow the presentation.

• Date: February 18th, 2025
• Time: 4:30 to 7:00 pm EST
• Location: Room 1140 of 2001 ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ College, 11th floor

Abstract

The global food system faces significant challenges from environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable agricultural practices, increased inequities, leading to food insecurity and poor nutrition. Additionally, as agents of change women and other excluded groups often face exclusion from decision-making and access to resources, limiting their ability to contribute to agricultural innovation. This address will highlight the importance of transforming food systems through diversification, regenerative agriculture, the integration of science and innovation, and by being gender inclusive. By showcasing innovations in sustainable practices and research, this address will emphasize the need for collaborative action to build resilient, diverse, and equitable food systems that drive sustainable development and ensure no one is left behind.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Elouafi is the Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, the preeminent global agricultural and food systems research network. She was previously Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and Director General at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).

Dr. Elouafi also served as Senior Adviser to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Branch (AAFC), the National Manager of Plant Research Section; and Director of Research Management and Partnerships Division at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

She has served on expert panels and advisory groups, including the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA), and HarvestPlus; and on the boards of CGIAR, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), and Canada’s Professional Development Institute. She was member of the Scientific Group for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.

As a geneticist, Dr. Elouafi’s work contributed to enhancing wheat breeding. She has advocated for the diversification of food to improve food system resilience, including work on halophytes that had significant impact in countries facing salinity issues. A prolific scientific author, she has contributed to many major publications – including Nature, on Foodomics, the Gaza food crisis and biodiversity.