MOTIVATION
The 2001 conference, “Sustainable Food Security for All by 2020,” took place in the International Congress Center of the Federal Parliament in Bonn, Germany, and gathered over 900 individuals from 71 countries, a quarter of them from developing countries. The conference, focused on four key emerging dynamics: demographic, health, and nutrition forces; economic forces; technological and environmental forces; and sociopolitical forces.
OUTCOMES
• In an independent postconference survey, participants agreed that the conference provided new or surprising information and insights on the importance of food security, trade liberalization, climate change, and political will, as well as the extent and causes of food insecurity. The most common uses of new information were anticipated to be in research; in communications activities such as public awareness, seminars, workshops, media, discussions and consultations; in formulating strategies and priorities; and in teaching and training programs. Most respondents felt the conference met their expectations due to the high quality of the speakers and discussions, the opportunities to meet and network with people, the wide diversity of topics and stakeholders, and the improved understanding of food security issues.
