Contents:
 1. Upcoming PRGA Action Workshop "Repositioning Gender-Responsive Participatory Research in Times of Change"
 2. 'Science against Poverty Conference', presented to the Spanish Presidency of the European Union (La Granja, April 2010).
 3. The US launched its new global hunger and food security initiative, called 'Feed the Future'
 4. New IFPRI Paper "Engendering Agricultural Research"
 5. PPB will be part of a Symposium organized by Calvin Qualset at the International Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) (October 31-Nov 4, 2010 CA).
 6. Upcoming Events

1. PRGA Action Workshop "Repositioning Gender-Responsive Participatory Research in Times of Change" (June 16-18, 2010)

The PRGA Program is organizing an Action Workshop entitled: “Repositioning Gender-Responsive Participatory Research in Times of Change” between June 16-18, 2010 in Cali, Colombia, at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) headquarters. It will build on the experience of researchers and practitioners from the CGIAR Centers, academia, NARS, NGOs and donor organizations. The purpose of the workshop is to update and redefine mechanisms to revitalize participatory research that is gender responsive in these times of change.

To see workshop website:
http://www.prgaprogram.org/rptc/

2. Science against Poverty Conference' presented to the "Spanish Presidency of the European Union (La Granja, April 2010)

Dr. Louise Sperling, CIAT's Principal Scientist was the key note speaker invited by the Spanish Presidency of the European Union to give a lecture on Agricultural Research and Development (R &D) on April 8-9 in La Granja, Spain. The title of her presentation: "Moving to Break the Gender Barrier in Agricultural Research and Development" portrayed a strong message to the development community to pay attention to gender issues.

The conclusions of this Conference will be used as the basis for its proposals to EU research ministers, who will meet May 26, 2010. Conference findings should translate into funds for programs committed 'to a more ethical science'.

To read more about the presentation:
http://www.prgaprogram.org/SpanishPresidencyConf.pdf

3. The US launched its new global hunger and food security initiative, called 'Feed the Future'

Feed the Future pursues to address the root causes of hunger and establishes a lasting foundation for change by aligning our resources with country-owned processes and sustained, multi-stakeholder partnerships. This initiative will advance global stability and prosperity by improving the most basic of human conditions - the need that families and individuals have for a reliable source of quality food and sufficient resources to access and purchase it…

More information: www.feedthefuture.gov

Dr. Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator remarks http://www.usaid.gov/press/speeches/2010/sp100520.html

4. New IFPRI Paper "Engendering Agricultural Research"

This paper makes a case for gender equity in the agricultural R&D system. It reviews the evidence on exactly why it is important to pay attention to gender issues in agriculture and why it is necessary to recognize women's distinct food-security roles throughout the entire value chain-for both food and nonfood crops, marketed and no marketed commodities…

PRGA Program contributed to this important and timely publication.

The paper is now available as an IFPRI Discussion Paper:
http://www.ifpri.org/publication/engendering-agricultural-research

5. PPB will be part of a Symposium organized by Calvin Qualset at the International Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) (October 31-Nov 4, 2010 CA)

Session Description by Calvin Qualset: Participatory plant breeding allows growers to evaluate segregating material at their own locations under particular multi-environment sites. Growers participate in the selection of material best suited to their conditions. In this 'quilting production and selection environment', chances are maximized to maintain genetic diversity and uncover cryptic genetic diversity.