Save the date! The 2024 Borlaug Dialogue is scheduled for October 29-31, 2024.
The Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue
October 24-26, 2023
The Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, also known as the "Borlaug Dialogue," gathered individuals from more than 65 countries to address cutting-edge issues related to global food security and nutrition. Global leaders, experts, educators, students, and more participated in the 2023 Borlaug Dialogue to discuss transformative solutions to achieve a sustainable, equitable, and nourishing food system.
The 2023 Borlaug Dialogue offered in-person and virtual programming, providing unparalleled opportunities for engagement and networking while also ensuring global access to these critical discussions.
Harnessing Change
The 2023 Borlaug Dialogue theme, "Harnessing Change" was a deliberate progression of the 2022 theme, Feeding a Fragile World. After focusing on the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and conflict in 2022, we focused this year on harnessing innovation, adaptation, and diversification to improve systemic resilience, recover from shocks, and sustainably nourish all people.
As Dr. Norman Borlaug said frequently, pessimism has no place in action. We honor, celebrate, and aim to inspire those who harness change and ultimately shape the future of food and agriculture. Building on Borlaug’s legacy of tackling immense global challenges, the 2023 Borlaug Dialogue both acknowledged how far we have came and made positive strides toward a food-secure future.
Breakout sessions
Breakout sessions at the Borlaug Dialogue presented opportunities for organizations to delve deeper into the Harnessing Change theme and its subthemes. These sessions were part of the Borlaug Dialogue mainstage programming and occurred from October 24-26.
The World Food Prize Foundation supported the audio/visual and streaming of the event. We also worked with the selected hosts on how to best integrate the session with the Borlaug Dialogue.
Side events
The Borlaug Dialogue welcomed dozens of partners each year to host side events to open dialogues on specific food and agriculture topics and convene diverse speakers and participants. These events were an integral part of the overall program and are designed to demonstrate unique work, promote further dialogue, and directly engage attendees.
Side events were wholly conceived and carried out by our partners, inviting new perspectives and formats into the Borlaug Dialogue.
Organizations interested in hosting a side event hosted in person with optional streaming during the Borlaug Dialogue (October 24-26). We also supported free, virtual-only side events in the week prior to the Borlaug Dialogue (October 16-20).
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October 16-20 (virtual)
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October 24-26 (in-person)
Exhibit tables
The Iowa Events Center provided a great opportunity for stakeholders to promote their organizations and programs to Borlaug Dialogue participants.
Borlaug Dialogue exhibit tables welcomed participants into the space and many spend their first moments at the Dialogue exploring partner opportunities.
Graduate student poster and presentation competitions
The World Food Prize Foundation and the Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss & Food Waste Reduction Consortium were honored to recognize and empower students by providing professional development opportunities in the spheres of global food security and agriculture.
The 2023 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue is hosted three competitions for graduate students: a research poster competition, a research-based presentation competition, and a pitch-based presentation competition.