Global Food for Thought

Provides updated information, commentary, and analysis on breaking developments on international agriculture, food, and related issues.

Read our Blog, which offers expert commentary, debate, and updates on key developments in real time.

Sign up to receive the free weekly News Brief, which aggregates all media, policy, and research developments, or review past editions.
Sign Up

May 2008

The Global Food Crisis
May 20, 2008, 1:00 PM
Robert L. Thompson, Gardner Chair in Agricultural Policy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Chicago, IL

Robert L. Thompson, America’s foremost expert on domestic and international agricultural policy, discussed what lies behind the price increases in such staples as corn, rice, soy, and wheat, and the role trade restrictions, rising developing-country incomes, poor growing weather, high oil prices, and the production of biofuels have played in setting off the price surge.
To download audio of this program, right click and select "save target as": Thompson Event Audio (26MB, MP3)


April 2008

Solving the Global Poverty Challenge
April 21, 2008, 5:30 PM
Rajiv Shah, Director, Agricultural development, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Rajiv Shah, director of Agricultural Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discussed the challenges faced when trying to bring people out of poverty in developing countries, especially in Africa, and the solutions the Gates Foundation is pursuing to effect change. While providing aid is a short-term solution, Shah advocated tackling the systemic problems and bringing the “green revolution” to Africa to develop long term solutions to hunger and poverty.
To download audio of this program, right click and select "save target as": Shah Event Audio (68.5MB, MP3)


Back to Events
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100; Chicago, Illinois 60604-4416
Phone: 312.726.3860 Fax: 312.821.7555
Copyright © 1999-2010 The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. All Rights Reserved.
Banner Photograph: © Ray Witlin / World Bank
To read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, please click here.
Printable version of this pageE-mail this page to a friend