NextGen Opportunities

Crawford Fund 2021 Annual Conference

After having to postpone their 2020 Annual Conference, the Crawford Fund have now launched their 2021 event. Food & Nutrition Security – The Biosecurity, Health, Trade Nexus will explore the growing complexity of international trade, travel, tourism and density of development have placed ever growing challenges on maintaining plant and animal biosecurity, halting the rapid spread of infectious diseases and strengthening the protection of biodiversity.

This year they are delivering a hybrid event, with online attendance possible at a much-reduced cost for students, former scholars and RAID members. But it’s always great to have former scholars and awardees so there’s also discounts for in-person attendance.

Conference Scholarships Available Now!

The Crawford Fund has launched its conference scholarships – a fantastic opportunity for young people passionate about food and nutrition security or agricultural research and development.

If you haven’t previously been a scholar and are based in the ACT, NSW, NT, SA, Tasmania, Victoria or WA, we strongly encourage you to seek out this opportunity. And tell your friends!

Past scholars are overwhelmingly positive about their conference scholarship experience, seeing it as an invaluable mentoring, networking and motivational experience.

The scholars are involved in two ½ days of activities in addition to the conference. They engage with the speakers, experienced Australian agricultural researchers and educators, and other passionate young people who have experience overseas in developing countries as researchers, volunteers or mentors.

The scholarships are awarded through State and Territory programs, with conference registration fees and reasonable transport, food and accommodation costs covered by the award.

Full details on eligibility and the application process are here.

Any questions can be directed to the Crawford Fund Coordinator for your State/Territory.

The application process is simple with a short online application form.

Applications close Friday, 25 June 2021.

Join Maree Bouterakos on Zoom

Tuesday 29 June  |  12pm -1pm

Emerging trends in nutrition and food security in the Asia Pacific region by Maree Bouterakos, Head of Nutrition, World Food Programme (WFP) Lao PDR

This free seminar presented by Maree is co-hosted by the Victorian Committee of the Crawford Fund and the Ag Institute of Australia.

The Crawford Fund has recently presented a blog and podcast featuring Maree explaining her nutrition pathway to agriculture for development. You can now hear Maree discuss nutrition and food security in our region.

Maree will discuss the emerging trends in nutrition and food security in the Asia-Pacific region with emphasis on key nutrition-sensitive agriculture programmes to address the triple burden of malnutrition – the coexistence of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overnutrition.

Maree, a dietitian from Melbourne, has just returned to Australia from Laos. She has eight years’ experience in nutrition in international development, academic and clinical settings across the Asia-Pacific region.

Register to attend for free here.

NextGen Research Impact for Food Security

Wednesday 30 June  |  2-3pm AEST

• A/Prof Lee Hickey, Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Crop Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, who will explain the impact of ‘speed breeding’
• Dr Di Mayberry, Senior Research Scientist and Team Leader, CSIRO Agriculture and Food Global Food Team, who will discuss the technologies for reducing GHG emissions from red meat
• Dr Tamara Jackson, Program Manager, ACIAR-Sustainable Development Investment Portfolio, who will explain the impact of research to improve food, energy and water security.

While the panel is virtual, the Fund is hoping that COVID restrictions will be eased and it will be possible to co-host a free networking event for the Melbourne conference and student forum attendees at the La Trobe Uni City Campus, Collins Street from 6.30pm on 1 July 2021. Crawford Fund will be working with La Trobe University and our team here at RAID Network to provide an opportunity to meet like-minded students and professionals in development. This is strictly a COVID-19 safe event with limits on numbers to delegates must RSVP – you can register for the full student forum, the conference and networking event here.