Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
November 16, 1999
Winegard lecturer to speak on world food system
Robert L. Thompson, a World Bank adviser on agricultural and rural development strategy and policy, will speak at the University of Guelph Nov. 22 as part of the W.C. Winegard Visiting Professor lecture series.
Thompson will discuss North America's future role in the world food system at 4 p.m. in Room 1714 of the Ontario Veterinary College's Lifetime Learning Centre. The event is free and open to the public.
Thompson is also a senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. Before moving to the World Bank in 1998, he served as president and CEO of Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, a non-profit institution that conducts projects in 40 countries to reduce poverty and hunger. His career has also included teaching, consulting and government policy development. In the mid-80 s, Thompson was instrumental role in writing the 1985 farm bill and preparing for the Uruguay Round of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) negotiations.
During his visit to Guelph, Thompson will be a guest of the Department of Agricultural Economics.
The W.C. Winegard Alumni Visiting Professorship was established in 1975 to enable the University to invite distinguished professors from around the world to enhance academic programs. The professorship rotates among U of G's six colleges each year; this year it is sponsored by the Ontario Agricultural College.
The next Winegard lecturer will be Ian Warrington, CEO of the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand, speaking Dec. 6.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 3338
