December 2004 Mexico Hosts CGIAR Annual General Meeting 2004: Strong push for science-based agricultural growth Nearly 1,000 participants attended the CGIAR's ANnual General Meeting 2004 (AGM04) hosted by the Government of Mexico during October 27-29, 2004 CGIAR Charter Adopted by Acclamation For the first time since it was founded in 1971, the CGIAR has adopted a charter to enhance and strengthen its efficiency. "The Charter of the CGIAR System" was adopted by acclamation at the 2004 Annual General Meeting of the CGIAR held in Mexico City. The Africa Rice Center is Relocating The conflict in Côte d'Ivoire has exacted a heavy toll on the staff and families of The Africa Rice Center - WARDA. A Tragic Loss In November, Africa lost a pioneering scientist, Dr. Robert J. Carsky, whose work will have lasting impact on hundreds of thousands of African farmers. Morocco to Host Next Annual General Meting: Mark your calendars for week of December 5, 2005 CGIAR is pleased to announce that the Government of Morocco has graciously agreed to host the 2005 Annual General Meeting during the first week of December. Centers' and Members' Day: Focus on innovations and partnerships to achieve millennium goals For Centers and Members Day 2004, the Future Harvest Centers combined to showcase partnerships in the host region-Latin America and the Caribbean-and demonstrate how CGIAR is reshaping its work to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Fostering Rural Innovation: Ministerial Roundtable discusses public-private partnerships for impact The CGIAR Ministerial Roundtable was convened by Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman and co-chaired by The Hon. Javier Usabiaga, Secretary of Agriculture, Mexico and Ms. Usha Barwale-Zehr, Chair, CGIAR Private Sector Committee. The roundtable brought together Ministers from countries hosting CGIAR Centers (Côte d'Ivoire, Colombia and Mexico), Venezuela, and Eduardo Stern, CEO, Papalotla Seeds, Mexico. From the Science Council Chair A message from Per Pinstrup-Andersen Farmers Address CGIAR, Share hopes and perspectives A "Farmers' Dialogue" held at the 2004 Annual General Meeting marked a major step forward in strengthening CGIAR's ties with farmers and producers. Six farmers from three continents participated in the dialogue, the first of its kind with farmers sharing their perspectives on agricultural research and its impacts on livelihoods. CGIAR 2004 Science Awards Every year, CGIAR science and communication awards celebrate scientific excellence in the global battle against hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation. The 2004 Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture Hernando de Soto, Founder and President, Institute for Liberty and Democracy (ILD), Lima, Peru, speaks on "The Mystery of Capital: Role of Property Rights in Creating Wealth and Alleviating Poverty" Innovation Marketplace 2004 Catalyzes Capital Ideas Development is a complex business, and it is not every day that an innovative idea wins top honors and a wager with a Minister. Global Open Agriculture and Food University Launched In Mexico, CGIAR launched the Global Open Agriculture and Food University. This new program will offer long distance learning using information communications technologies, in collaboration with partner institutions in developing countries. Celebrating the Founding of the CGIAR Mexico is the birthplace of the CGIAR, and the Annual General Meeting 2004 and related events helped to solidify the Mexico-CGIAR partnership. Update on CGIAR Challenge Programs CGIAR Challenge Programs (CPs), an important element of ongoing reforms, are off to an excellent start. Stamping Out Poverty in Africa In April, 2004, the Government of the Republic of Uganda hosted the all-Africa Conference on "Assuring Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020", organized by IFPRI's 2020 Vision Initiative.