This Thursday, February 11, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. We’re excited to join the celebrations organised by WIRES, a new employee-led resource group (ERG), to showcase the many ways in which CGIAR’s women scientists are transforming the way that we look at our food, land, and water systems everywhere around the world.
WIRES – Women in Research and Science – was set up in January, with support from the GDI Function. Thursday’s event will see them host an extraordinary 13-hour online celebration, in which every CGIAR entity has one hour to present. Besides hearing about some cutting-edge science, participants will be able to engage directly with some of CGIAR’s finest scientists and speakers.
Drop in to learn how teams in the Philippines are mapping rice from space. Stay to uncover the mysteries of plant science in Nigeria. And join the event later to participate in a conversation with women and daughters about the challenges and opportunities of a career in science. These are only some of the exciting sessions that will take place on the day.
The event runs from 08:00 Paris time (UTC+1) through to 21:00 Paris time (UTC +1). To register for the event, click here. Please find further schedule details below:
SCHEDULE
(*All times UTC+1)
8:00 – WorldFish (Penang, Malaysia)
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Discussion topics: Women leading aquatic foods for healthy people and planet
Opening welcome: Gareth Johnstone Moderator: Tana Lala-Pritchard Speakers: Shakuntala ThilstedRose and Komugisha Basiita |
9:00 – IRRI (Los Banos, Philippines)
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Discussion topics: Enhancing sustainability of rice-based agri-food systems through innovation
Efficient soil management – A sound investment for environmental sustainability Mapping rice from space Opening welcome: Nafees Meah Moderator: Mary Kanui Speakers |
10:00 – IWMI (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
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Discussion topics: Women equally leading a water and food secure future in a COVID-19 world
Opening welcome: Mark Smith Moderator: Ellie Ross Speakers: Bhekiwe Fakudze, Gitta Shrestha, Khadija Begum and Maha Al-Zu’bi |
11:00 – ICRISAT (Patancheru, Telangana, India)
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Discussion topics: Genetic resources conservation and promotion of the use
Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19: how we have used Digital innovation system to deliver agricultural technologies during the lockdowns Importance of Molecular Breeding –Testimony of a woman scientist Opening welcome: Jacqueline D’Aros Hugues Moderators: Agathe Diama and Rajani Kumar Speakers: Vania Azevedo, Harawa Rebbie and Pooja Bhatnagar |
12:00 – ILRI (Nairobi, Kenya)
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Discussion topics: Women in upstream and downstream livestock research and science
ILRI’s capacity development efforts for girls and women science careers Moderator: Tsehay Gashaw Speakers: Ekta Patel, Renee Bullock, Rupsha Banerjee and Leah Symekher |
13:00 – ICARDA (Cairo, Egypt)
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Discussion topics: ICARDA Women: from Science to Field
Opening welcome: Jaques Wery Moderator: Louise Sarant Speakers: Dina Najjar. Mira Haddad |
14:00 –
CIFOR – ICRAF (Nairobi, Kenya)
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Discussion topics: Co-investment for sustainable landscape productions
Exploring different approaches to inclusion in land and resource use Multi-stakeholder forums Opening welcome: Peter Minang or Fergus Sinclair Moderator: Peter Minang Speakers: Beria Leimona and Illiana Monteroso |
15:00 – Alliance of Bioversity/CIAT (Rome, Italy)
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Discussion topics: Soil, breeding and climate policy: women scientists driving change in Africa (TBC)
Opening welcome: Andy Jarvis Moderator: Arwen Bailey Speakers: Caroline Mwongera, Sylvia Nyawira and Clare Mukankusi |
16:00 – IITA (Ibadan, Nigeria)
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Discussion topics: Genome-editing for crop improvement
Why is it important to know the type and amount of foods consumed by different groups in a population Fitting the puzzle pieces within the wider world of plant science The rise: from a research technician to a highly competitive CGIAR What does the future hold? Science can help! Plantain breeding in IITA – turning challenges into opportunities Rapid multiplication technologies in clonal crops Opening welcome: Bernard Vanlauwe Moderator: Sylvia Oyinlola Speakers: Leena Tripathi, Bussie Maziya-Dixon, Valentine Nakato, Juliet Akello, Sika Gbegbelegbe, Delphine Amah and Mercy Diebiru-Ojo |
17:00 – CIP (Lima, Peru)
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Discussion topics: Making the case for climate-resilient and low-carbon smallholder landscapes through agroecology in Latin America
Opening welcome: Oscar Ortiz Moderator: Oscar Ortiz Speakers: Maria Andrade (Mozambique) and Alejandra Arce (LAC) |
18:00 – AfricaRice (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)
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Discussion topics: Women in Rice Research and Science
Opening welcome: Duveiller Etienne Moderator: Gaudiose Mujawamariya Speakers: Marie-Noelle Ndjiondjop Maimouna Ndiour and Esther Pegalepo |
19:00 – IFPRI (Washington DC)
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Discussion topics: Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Research: Reflecting on challenges and opportunities: A conversation with women and daughters in science
Moderator: Muzna Alvi Speakers: Jemimah Njuki and Tamara Muthoni; Marie Ruel, Julie Ruel-Bergeron and Sarah Ruel-Bergeron; Ruth Meinzen-Dick and Laura Meinzen-Dick |
20:00 – CIMMYT (Mexico City, Mexico)
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Discussion topics: Women who go the extra mile: scientific excellence and community at CIMMYT
Opening welcome: Kevin Pixley Moderator: Madeline Dahm Speakers: Kate Dreher and Rahel Assefa |