Addressing Climate Risks in Developing Country Food Systems: Exploring Solutions (Spring 2016)
The world faces major threats over the next 30 years as global population continues to grow and as the ravages of increasing temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events exact their toll in the food sector, especially in developing countries. Population growth, increased purchasing power and climate threats create needs and opportunities for dramatic intensification of agricultural production by producers who often lack the capacities, assets and linkages to do so. They need to do so in a way that does not itself exacerbate climate change and its drivers, such as through deforestation. Governments, the private sector and development actors are aware that more dramatic and urgent changes are required, but the broader systems in which they participate are not currently set to take on the challenges.
The study group will examine the synergies and tensions facing the private sector and governments looking to tackle developing country food systems challenges and to promote the interests of poor and vulnerable people in so doing. Focusing on a limited set of crops, and specifically efforts to promote greater resilience in the face of climate change, we will establish the basis for improvements to be driven through actions by governments, the private sector, development funders and practitioners, and producers.
Schedule
- February 2, 2016: 4:00-5:30 pm - powerpoint presentation
- CANCELLED ** March 8, 2016 ** CANCELLED
- April 5, 2016: 4:00-5:30 pm, M-RCBG Conference Room (Belfer 503)
Questions? Email scott_leland@harvard.edu
Simon Winter
Simon Winter is TechnoServe’s Senior Vice President of Development. He is responsible for leading strategy, thought leadership, and business and program development. He is also responsible for managing and incubating innovative programs, including around capital access for SMEs. Previously he was Regional Director for Africa. He joined TechnoServe in 2003. Winter was a management consultant with McKinsey and Company (1998-2003) during which he co-led the firm's international development practice. He worked as an economic planner for the Botswana government, and a development consultant in Southern Africa. He started his career with Barclays Bank plc in the UK, Cote d'Ivoire and Australia. Winter is a founding Executive Committee member of the Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), a Board Member of Root Capital, a steering committee member of the Initiative for Smallholder Finance, and a member of the Transformation Leaders Network of the World Economic Forum’s New Vision for Agriculture. Winter originates from the UK and holds a PhD in economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 1998, which focused on the development of the manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe. During his Senior Fellowship, Winter’s research will focus on understanding how we can change the global food system so that it can produce enough to feed the expected growing population in the face of climate change and produce positive impacts on workers and farmers across the system (especially in developing countries). His faculty sponsor is William C. Clark, Harvey Brooks Professor of International Science, Public Policy, and Human Development. Email: simon_winter@hks.harvard.edu
M-RCBG Senior Fellow Simon Winter.