QLD Forum & Networking Reception a Success
February 28, 2018
The Crawford Fund Queensland Committee held its 2018 Forum and Networking Reception at Queensland’s Parliament House in Brisbane on Monday 19 February. The ‘Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security: Involving the Next Generation’ event celebrated and discussed Queensland’s work for food security.
This year’s event was focused on attracting more young people to agriculture for development, so it highlighted some of the young Queenslanders we have supported in their work overseas, and the win-win-win situation that results, with benefits flowing back to them, to Queensland, and the developing country they worked in.
At yesterday’s Qld forum we heard from some of our student awardees in what they did with their intl award to incl devg country visit in their ag research. Apply for this yr’s awards – use yr passion for ag for good & improve yr skills https://t.co/TwBl52ny2m pic.twitter.com/ZjycEfYM2M
— The Crawford Fund (@CrawfordFund) February 19, 2018
Our 130 guests also heard more about Australia’s agricultural development work in the region, particularly involving Queensland’s researchers and industries, and how the opportunities available to them via our training programs and awards.
Professor Kaye Basford FTSE, Chair of the Crawford Fund Queensland Committee, welcomed guests and drew attention to the Queensland Student Awards to help students gain valuable experience and expertise in international agricultural research.
The event was officially opened by The Hon. Mark Furner MP, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries.
Minister @MarkFurnerMP notes Qld proud history in ag & ag research ‘Qld a natural leader in ag & food & well placed to help others producer more nutritious food’ pic.twitter.com/WFH40IX5qD
— The Crawford Fund (@CrawfordFund) February 19, 2018
Dr Dan Walker, Chief Scientist and Dr Peter Horne, General Manger, Country Programs, both from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), discussed the importance of Queensland’s ongoing involvement in food security in their presentation – Progress in food security and the importance of Queensland expertise.
Dr Daniel Walker @ACIARAustralia explains importance of #nextgen after radical history of change in global food systems & new constraints now faced pic.twitter.com/eNZ637AGW8
— The Crawford Fund (@CrawfordFund) February 19, 2018
This was followed by Dr Colin Chartres, Chief Executive Officer, The Crawford Fund, discussing the importance of capacity building as a cornerstone of the work undertaken by the Crawford Fund in Australia and overseas.
Colin Chartres @CrawfordFund launches our 2018 Food Security Journalism award – prize a visit to developing country ag work @AusAgJournos @nrpc_au pic.twitter.com/OToOgossqa
— The Crawford Fund (@CrawfordFund) February 19, 2018
These presentations were followed by the ‘stars of the day’ in a discussion panel of young Queensland agricultural scientists, moderated by our Qld Committee member and former scholar, Dr Lee Hickey who has attracted international attention lately with his ‘speed breeding’ technology. Three young Queenslanders, who have received Crawford Fund support talked about their work, its benefits in-country, to Queensland, and to them personally and professionally. Click on the links below to access the their presentations.
Breeding, hygiene & quarantine in prawn farming – Vietnam
Ms Tansyn Noble, James Cook University
Fire ants and sweet potatoes – friend or foe? – Solomon Islands
Mr John Fasi, Solomon Islands National University & UQ
They were followed by Tara McKenzie, University of Sunshine Coast; RAID member; former Crawford Fund Scholar and ACIAR Graduate Officer. Her presentation, How do I get involved? gave suggestions on avenues to follow to get your foot in the door in ag for development.
Tara McKenzie @usceduau @ACIARAustralia explains how to get into intl ag – get to know academics who do intl ag research, network & be mentored as Crawford Fund scholar, apply 2b @ACIARAustralia grad position, apply for everything & be passionate pic.twitter.com/YJptxyPUzL
— The Crawford Fund (@CrawfordFund) February 19, 2018
Finally, Prof Bob Lawn, Coordinator of the Crawford Fund Queensland Committee, spoke about the importance of engagement, through events like this forum and reception, not only with researchers, industry and government, but importantly with young people keen on a career in international research and development in agriculture.
“Our training of developing country scientists which leads to a myriad of life and livelihood improvements for those involved is reliant on both our strong and supportive partnerships with Queensland researchers and institutions, and increasingly, the young, passionate and committed researchers we have in our alumni now,” said Prof Lawn.
“We aim to continue our efforts to encourage young Queenslanders in their studies, careers and volunteering in agriculture for development,” he said.
“We have received tremendous feedback from the Forum about the impact of our work with individual scientists, Queensland industries and to developing countries from our own training projects and through aid-funded Federal projects,” said Prof Lawn.
Dr Colin Chartres launched the Crawford Fund’s Journalism Award, a competition that aims to encourage working Australian journalists to investigate the important roles that agricultural research, training and rural development play in global food security. The prize is a ‘seeing is believing‘ visit for the winning journalist to a developing country. More information about this award, including how to apply, can be found here.
