World Food Day 2011

World Food Day, October 16th, is annually observed around the world to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. Established in 1979 by the member states of the FAO, the first World Food Day (WFD) was not celebrated until 1981, marking the 2011 as the 30th anniversary. The main focus of the WFD is promoting awareness, growth of knowledge and understanding about food insecurity, hunger and international threats to the world food supply. Each year, the celebration is organized around a theme, with WFD 2011 addressing food prices.

We at the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia have started an educational and solidarity program “Youth Building Roots” that focuses on growing food and planting fruit trees, in combination with an outreach program in Benin, Africa. Now the UNA-GP is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the World Food Day with a symposium and a reception which will include a line-up of great speakers, each providing insight in the complex world of food technology, food politics and food producing. Please RSVP at: [email protected]

Speakers include:

• Keynote Speaker. Dr. Marion Nestle: "The Overt and Covert Costs of Food: Economic, Social, Ethical, and Health Dimensions"
• Dr. Scott Poethig: "Genetic Engineering,Then and Now"
• Roxanne Christensen: "On the Promise of SPIN Farming"