Media Advisory - Agriculture, Food Security, and the Arab Spring: Middle East Expert at IDRC

OTTAWA, Sept. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Mahmoud Solh, Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), will be at Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) September 14 to discuss the challenges of improving agriculture and food security in the Middle East, particularly in the aftermath of the Arab Spring.  Solh will talk about ICARDA's experiences of working in a context of rapid political and environmental change. He will also reflect on lessons learned about rebuilding agricultural production in conflict-affected countries.

When: Friday, September 14, 2012, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: IDRC, 150 Kent Street (Corner of Albert), 8th floor

Director General of ICARDA since 2006, Mahmoud Solh has been involved in international agricultural research and development since 1972 when he joined the Arid Lands Agricultural Development Program of the Ford Foundation in the Near East, ICARDA's predecessor.  IDRC was a founding funder of ICARDA, which is located near Aleppo, Syria.  Solh also served as Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Throughout his career Dr. Sohl has focused on food security, alleviating poverty, and developing sustainable agricultural systems; agricultural research for development; and promoting North-South and South-South cooperation.  Solh holds a PhD in genetics from the University of California, Davis, and is the author of more than 120 publications. His contribution to agricultural research and development has been recognized by several prestigious awards and honours.

The event is open to the media and the lecture will be webcast live at http://idrc.canwebcast.net/test.  Journalists and the public can also join in the conversation through Twitter #IDRC and Facebook.

For more information visit www.idrc.ca.

About IDRC
A key part of Canada's aid program, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring change to those who need it most. 

SOURCE: International Development Research Centre

Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé / ([phone] / [email protected] / @IDRC_CRDI