Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice

29-30 November 2012. Sydney. This event included a high-level Forum (leadership dialogue) for officials from Africa and Australia, together with international experts on global food security. The main purpose of the Forum was to officially launch the Australian International Food Security Centre (AIFSC) and strengthen its collaborative partnerships.

The Forum brought together a selection of notable high-level Africans, Australians and internationals from government, research and development, and private enterprise to:

• launch the AIFSC strategy and acknowledge the range of national and international partnerships
• enable discussion to inform the AIFSC strategy outcomes for improving food security across Africa
• showcase Australia's expertise in research for development and policy development for improved global food security
• showcase Australia's quality agriculture through a short social program.

The Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign 

Affairs, announcing the new fund 

at the opening of the forum. 

Photo M Gyles ACIAR

The conference provided an opportunity for:

• networking with key African and international decision makers
• fostering new connections with Australian researchers and the AIFSC
• contributing ideas that will be streamed/recorded for wider distribution
• improving your personal knowledge on key issues and players involved in food security
• connecting with a large number of international representatives at one event, away from everyday distractions and time zone issues
• being part of conference legacies to be generated by distribution of conference records to multiple organisations
• side meetings for one-on-one business with a special focus
• witnessing firsthand some of Australia’s finest agricultural research capabilities
• enjoying the dramatic beauty of Sydney and its surrounds, including a showcase of Australian agriculture.