PRCI at 2023 Feed the Future Innovation Labs Regional Partners Meeting
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EmailPRCI speakers presenting at the 2023 Feed the Future Innovation Labs Regional Partners Meeting
Nairobi, Kenya — The 2023 Feed the Future Innovation Labs Regional Partners Meeting, titled "Systemic and Innovative Solutions for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Systems," is scheduled to take place from May 15 to May 19 at the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting aims to achieve three main objectives: (a) understanding the geographical variations, priorities, and trade-offs associated with climate change mitigation and adaptation, (b) highlighting challenges in implementing systemic and scalable solutions, and (c) embracing opportunities for local leadership and international collaboration.
Several key participants and leaders from the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence (PRCI) will be speaking during various sessions throughout the event. David Tschirley, the Director of PRCI, as well as a Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University, will serve as the moderator for the "Operationalizing the solutions: Partnership, private sector, and social transformation" session on May 16. During this session, the speakers will present on climate technology for scaling, with Willis Owino from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology discussing lessons from the tomato value chain in Kenya, and Paswel Marenya, the Science of Scaling and Impact Pathways Lead of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Program at CIMMYT, presenting on small-scale actions for large-scale impact and farmer adoption.
In the subsequent session, "Transformative approaches to engaging and scaling research results with national governments / private sector," moderated by Lusike Wasilwa, the Director of Crop Systems at KALRO, Josphat Muema from the Animal Health Innovation Lab and Getaw Tadesse, the Director of PRCI partner, AKADEMIYA206, will share insights on how academics and innovation labs are aligning their efforts with national initiatives. Later, during the panel discussion titled "Strengthening academic and expert networks for climate change resilience," moderated by Thumbi Mwangi, the Director of the Animal Health Innovation Lab, Annesofie Misiani from the International Center for Evaluation & Development (ICED) will discuss the ALL-IN Research Network program, while Antony Chapoto, the IAPRI Research and Innovation Director and ANAPRI Technical Chair, will talk about Comprehensive Action for Climate Change Initiative (CACCI), a PRCI component.
On May 17, David Tschirley will deliver a speech on USAID principles and the role of systems change for local leadership. This will be followed by a conversation between the Innovation Labs and partners, moderated by Gina Rico Mende, featuring a panel comprising Saskia Hendrickx, Thumbi Mwangi, and Getaw Tadesse. The panel will discuss administrative barriers faced by Innovation Labs, such as those related to USAID and academia, and explore ways in which USAID, Innovation Labs, and regional partners can collaborate to establish new systems that promote and uphold local-led development and research. Additionally, the panel will examine the unique position of Innovation Labs in leading the way forward.
