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World Agricultural Forum

2003 World Congress Will Convene International Leaders to Address Unprecedented Global Agricultural Issues, Offer Solutions

ST. LOUIS, MO (ots)

The World Agricultural Forum (WAF), a
non-profit organization serving as the only neutral forum for global
dialogue on critical issues involving food, fuel, water, health and
fiber, will convene several hundred world leaders from developing and
developed countries at the 2003 World Congress scheduled for May
18-20 in St. Louis, Mo., at the Hyatt Regency at Union Station.
Created to uncover solutions to the most pressing problems facing
world agriculture, the World Congress is the only forum uniting
leaders from disparate organizations -- including government,
academia, corporations, foundations and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) -- to ensure that all participants have an equal
voice to share insights on global agricultural challenges.
Participants will include ministers of agriculture, Nobel laureates,
university deans, directors of NGOs, corporate CEOs and environmental
advocates.
"Since the 2001 World Congress, the challenges facing global
agriculture have reached a feverish pitch," said the Rt. Hon. James
Bolger, former prime minister of New Zealand and ambassador to the
United States, and current chairman of the World Agricultural Forum
Advisory Board. "With the AIDS epidemic in Africa, a humanitarian
crisis in Iraq, imminent concerns of water shortages around the world
and food safety threats, the importance of the World Congress has
never been more clear. Solutions to these critical problems rely on
sustained, uninhibited discussions - begun in earlier Congresses."
At the Congress participants will debate agricultural issues that
stifle global economic growth, prevent access to safe food and water,
endanger natural resources, and cripple agricultural systems.
Interactive workshops and roundtable discussions will permit
attendees to expand their knowledge base, understand each others'
positions, and initiate dialogue that can lead to better-informed
decision making in their respective roles.
"The 2003 World Congress agenda assembles key international
agricultural leaders who understand that global stability hinges on
the creation of an agricultural agenda that addresses nations'
specific political, economic and social needs with proactive,
long-term solutions," said Dr. Leonard Guarraia, chairman and
president, World Agricultural Forum. "Providing access to food and
water does not merely call for disaster relief and food aid, but for
identifying ways to support long-term practices that promote farm
profitability, environmental stewardship and quality of life. To
ignore the role of agriculture in our international economic and
social agendas could breed discontent and heighten tensions
everywhere."
The World Congress agenda covers both current and emerging issues
related to global agriculture trends - from trade policy and
technology transfer to sustainability and rural development. It calls
for a three-day meeting consisting of interactive sessions and
workshops designed to: 1) integrate all participants; 2) debate key
factors shaping the issues on the business, geopolitical and economic
agenda; and 3) share knowledge concerning strategies and solutions.
The theme of the 2003 Congress, "A New Age in Agriculture: Working
Together toCreate the Future and Disabling the Barriers,"
acknowledges that agriculture barriers include political agendas,
trade inequalities, obsolete infrastructure and transportation
systems, technology gaps, and environmental problems. This Congress
will especially focus on the interrelations among technology
acceptance, sustainability and trade.
For a detailed agenda, registration, media credential forms and
additional information, please visit the World Agricultural Forum's
Web site at www.worldagforum.org or contact Melissa Lackey at (314)
469-3500 (office), (314) 712-6682 (cell) or  mlackey@standingpr.com.
Contact: Cheri Winchester 
Company: The Standing Partnership
Phone:   +1/314-469-3500

Contact:

Melissa Lackey
Company: The Standing Partnership
Phone: +1/314-469-3500
Email: mlackey@standingpr.com
Cell: +1/314-712-6682