All External Events

The objective of this International Symposium in Vienna, Austria, is to communicate exciting scientific and technological developments in agriculture, to identify current gaps in knowledge and to discuss ways in which soils can be better managed to meet the challenge of protecting food security through the dual approach of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including obesity, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes, represent the leading causes of death and disability worldwide with the greatest prevalence in low and middle-income countries where nearly 80% of NCD deaths occur. The increasing prevalence of NCDs in even the poorest regions of the world has potentially enormous consequences for development.

Based on its experience in producing the well-regarded Doing Business index for more than a decade, the World Bank was called on by the G8, “in collaboration with other relevant partners, to develop options for generating a Doing Business in Agriculture Index.” To advance this goal and capitalize on momentum for stronger collaboration on developing indexes for the broader agriculture sector, the Governments of Denmark and the United States have agreed to co-convene a meeting on June 28 and 29 in

One hundred and fifty years ago, the passage of the Morrill Act laid the groundwork for the democratization of public higher education. Today, there are more than 100 land-grant universities serving our nation and the world. Moreover, the land-grant philosophy of research, learning and engagement has been widely embraced by public universities. The convocation will offer the public university community a chance to not only celebrate the past, but look ahead to the future.

Why exactly do public research organizations in developing countries struggle to keep pace with advances in the developed world? How can private organizations and governments promote better collaboration and engagement between the more-­‐and less-­‐developed countries, to overcome these challenges?

The goal of the workshop is to explore ways to become better providers and connectors of knowledge in a world where the sources of knowledge are increasingly diverse and dispersed. At the World Bank, for example, we are seeking ways to connect with new centers of research, emerging communities of practice, and tap the practical experience of development organizations and the policy makers in rapidly developing economies.

The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) will hold its fifth U.S.–Africa Infrastructure Conference at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, in Washington, D.C., from June 18-20, 2012. This year’s conference, themed “Foundations for Economic Growth,” will highlight investment opportunities in energy including renewables, transportation, ICT, and the relevant capacity building necessary for successful development.