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BIFAD Public Meeting: A public consultation on BIFAD's plans to propose a subcommittee on minority serving institution engagement and leadership in USAID's agricultural, Food Security, and nutrition programming. June 28, 2023

BIFAD Public Meeting: Public Consultation on BIFAD’s Plans to Propose a Subcommittee on Minority Serving Institution Engagement and Leadership in USAID’s Agricultural, Food Security, and Nutrition Programming

June 28, 2023 | 1:30–3:30 pm ET

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Join us for a public event hosted by the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). This public meeting will provide a forum for BIFAD to share plans for a proposed BIFAD Subcommittee on Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Engagement and Leadership. It will assemble expert panelists and invite stakeholders to provide input on the Subcommittee’s objectives and membership.

BIFAD plans to propose the establishment of a Subcommittee on MSI Engagement and Leadership in USAID’s Agricultural, Food Security, and Nutrition Programming this year. The proposed Subcommittee has the following overarching objectives:

  • 1. Inform recommendations to strengthen partnerships with MSIs as thought leaders and implementing partners in USAID’s agricultural, food security, and nutrition policies and programming.
  • 2. Create a platform for direct dialogue.
  • 3. Strengthen BIFAD’s collaboration with MSIs.
  • 4. Identify opportunities for USAID to engage with higher education communities, particularly MSIs and underrepresented groups, to develop a diverse pipeline of future professionals in global food security, nutrition, and agricultural development.

The establishment of this subcommittee is grounded in Executive Order 13985 Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government, and USAID’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy.  

At the meeting, expert panelists will provide perspective on opportunities and challenges for USAID engagement and collaboration with MSIs in agriculture, food security, and nutrition programming. Members of the MSI community, underrepresented groups in academia, and other stakeholders may discuss and share feedback on the draft objectives and membership plans for the BIFAD Subcommittee during a public comment period.

BIFAD and USAID will post a draft of the Subcommittee’s Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining the objectives, authorities, membership plan, and member roles. The draft will be linked to www.usaid.gov/BIFAD on June 14th. Members of the public are invited to share written comments between June 14th and July 12th 2023. To submit written comments, evidence, or materials in response to the draft Terms of Reference, please fill out the following form here. Interested persons may e-mail Clara Cohen, Designated Federal Officer for BIFAD in the Bureau for Resilience and Food Security at USAID, at ccohen@usaid.gov(Subject: Comment on the proposed BIFAD Subcommittee on MSI Engagement). All public comments will be included in the public record and considered in BIFAD's finalization of Subcommittee plans.

For further information or any inquiries about the event, please reach out to Rachel Helbig at rachel.helbig@tetratech.com. We look forward to your participation in this important discussion on promoting diversity, inclusivity, and effective collaboration in food security, nutrition, and agricultural development.

To reserve your virtual spot, please register for the meeting now