2023 Feed the Future Innovation Labs Director's Meeting
Building Systems to Innovate and Scale for Social Transformation
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture was pleased to host on behalf of USAID, this year's fall annual 2023 Feed the Future Innovation Labs Director's Meeting. Meetings were held September 11-14th in Washington, DC, with the 12-14th hosted by Dr. Erin J. McGuire, Horticulture Innovation Lab Director, and out-going Chair of the Feed the Future Innovation Labs.
The conference featured a diverse range of speakers, including leading experts in agriculture, nutrition, and international development. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions and networking events. The goals and objectives of the meeting, themed Building Systems to Innovate and Scale for Social Transformation, were to:
- understand the contextual approaches, priorities, and implications of gender and other social differences in agricultural innovation and development
- seize opportunities for gender-focused leadership and global collaboration in driving inclusive innovation for improved livelihoods, and
- highlight obstacles related to systems and scaling, while promoting equitable and transformative solutions.
The meeting brought together USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, over 20 Feed the Future Innovation Labs from across the United States, partners such as those from CGIAR and additional perspectives to the agenda. Opening day began Monday, September 11th and was hosted by BIFAD, with the rest of the week hosted by the Horticulture Innovation Lab. The first two public days were open to communities involved in global food security and sustainable development. Stakeholders from all sectors, including government, non-profit, private, and academia were encouraged to attended this in-person event.
Resources
Presentations shared:
12 September 2023
13 September 2023
Video by Alison Bentley and Rachael Garrett
Photo album
About Feed the Future Innovation Labs
Led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and funded by the generous support of the American people, Feed the Future is a global initiative that aims to combat hunger, poverty, and malnutrition by supporting agricultural development, improving food security, and promoting sustainable economic growth. The annual convening of all 20 Feed the Future Innovation Labs is a key event for stakeholders and partners to come together from all over the world, to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate on ways to achieve these goals.
For more information about the Feed the Future Innovation Labs across North America and their global contributions in promoting food security and nutrition, visit the Feed the Future Innovation Labs page here.