Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
June 07, 2004
U of G to host international ag biotech conference
The University of Guelph is hosting the 16th annual National Agricultural Biotechnology Council (NABC) conference June 13-15.
Focusing on the theme “Agricultural Biotechnology: Finding Common International Goals,” the conference will include presentations and discussions by internationally renowned academics from eight countries.
M.S. Swaminathan, acclaimed by Time magazine as one of the 20 most influential Asians of the 20th century for his contributions to the Green Revolution movement in Asia, will open the conference proceedings with Kanayo Nwanze, director general of the West African Rice Development Association.
Other conference speakers include William Rees, co-author of Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth; Suzanne Harris, executive director of the International Life Sciences Institute in Washington, D.C.; and Toronto Star science writer Peter Calamai.
U of G is a member of NABC, a consortium of U.S. and Canadian research institutions that provides an open forum for concerned people worldwide to discuss and evaluate the potential impacts of biotechnology.
Registration information and a complete conference schedule is available online.
All events are being held in Rozanski Hall. Conference highlights include:
June 13
• “Ever-Green Farm Revolution and Sustainable Food Security,” M.S. Swaminathan, 2:40 p.m.
• “Finding the Right Solutions for Africa,” Kanayo F. Nwanze, 1:30 p.m.
• “Frankenfoods – What to Do When the Devil Has All The Good Songs,” Peter Calamai, national science writer, Toronto Star, 7 p.m.
June 14
• “The Eco-Footprint of Agriculture,” William Rees, professor, University of British Columbia, 8 a.m.
• “The Impact of Agricultural Biotechnology on Biodiversity: Myths and Facts,” Klaus Ammann, director, botanical garden, University of Bern, Switzerland, 8:40 a.m.
June 15
• “The Goal is Proper Nutrition – How Do We Get There?” Suzanne Harris, International Life Sciences Institute in Washington, D.C., 9:25 a.m.
For more information on the conference, contact Katie Meyer at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 58923, or intlres@uoguelph.ca.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
