Call for Proposals: Ag & Food Policies on Health and Diet in Latin America

The Pan America Health Organization (PAHO) is seeking proposals that aim to show how existing or potential agriculture and food policies or technological innovations (e.g., biotechnology) can make a contribution to population health and diet with focus on obesity and non-communicable disease in Latin America and the Caribbean. Proposals that incorporate issues of agriculture sustainability, preservation of culinary traditions or promote collaboration between agriculture and public health professionals are particularly encouraged.

The policies under scrutiny are expected to show potential or actual population impact on health/nutrition by way of modifying one or some of the following aspects: agriculture and trade policies, food security, food and nutrition policies and consumer behaviors (e.g. food-purchasing behavior and food consumption patterns).

The deadline for the submission of proposal is September 4, 2009. More information is available here.

Webinars: "Agriculture in Uncertain Times"

A series of webinars on “Agriculture in Uncertain Times” will be offered by the North Central Risk Management Education Center between June 9 and December 16 , 2009. Participation is free and open on a first come, first served basis to the first 500 participants in each session.  Sessions will also be recorded for later viewing.  Details. 

New Online Food Studies Program

The UOC International Graduate Institute is now offering an online master's program in Food, Society, and International Governance. The program is designed for individuals interested in enhancing their understanding and analysis of agriculture and food policy, and increasing their understanding of the social, cultural and economic factors that influence and shape the development and enforcement of agriculture governance. This combination presents an opportunity to explore connections between the historical, political, scientific, strategic and ethical considerations involved in the organisation of food policy and agriculture internationally.

This program is designed to prepare people to meet the demand for knowledgeable and well-trained food systems leaders and analysts by fostering practical and critical learning with an international perspective.

Starting in October, UOC will be offering innovative online courses:

* Masters in Food, Society and International Governance (2 years, part time, €4,200)

* Postgraduate Diploma in Food Systems and Governance (1 year, part time, €2,300)

* Short course in Food systems Analysis (4 months, part time, €1,200)

Is this programme for you?

The Food Systems, Culture and Society programme attracts students and people who work across the agri-food sector. Many of our students already have work experience and are looking to broaden their knowledge and skills so as to advance their careers.

The courses are specifically geared towards:

- Individuals working in the agri-food sector

- Public administrators

- Policy analysts

§ Consultants

- Lawyers

- Journalists specializing in food politics

- Professional organizations, NGOs or international cooperation projects that address issues linked to food and agriculture

- Students wishing further education on issues of agri-food governance

This programme will prepare people to meet the demand for knowledgeable and well-trained food systems analysts and leaders, by fostering practical and critical learning with an international perspective.

Note that to apply for the programme, you do not have a university degree. Please submit a CV and letter of interest to foodsystems@uoc.edu.

About the UOC

The UOC is a leader in e-learning and we are progressive in our determination to champion open education that integrates new ideas and new technologies. The UOC is a 100% internet-based, fully accredited university operating from Barcelona. We champion multilingualism and hold the UNESCO chair in e-learning.

To find the program on Facebook, search "food systems, culture and society"

Check out the blog

Find out more online

Singletasking for Productivity Gains

Multitasking can make it difficult to get done the things that matter most. Productivity weblog WebWorkerDaily takes a fresh look at singletasking:

Singletasking is just what it sounds like: approaching and tackling one task at a time, sequentially, instead of trying to do a whole bunch of things at once, as has become de rigeur in our modern multitasking age. If you’re like me, the thought is probably at least a little refreshing, and maybe more than a little appealing right off the bat.

The principle is sound. Take on one task at a time, and don’t begin another until the one you’ve already started is complete. It sounds simple, but you know as well as I do that actually implementing that kind of thing in real life will take a lot more effort than you might first think. For one, it means ignoring any urge to procrastinate, and making sure that you prioritize very carefully in advance, lest you realize too late that what you thought was most urgent actually could’ve taken a back seat to something else.

. . . .

Ironically, multitasking may be the ideal way for the brain to procrastinate. Singletasking means have the discipline to focus on what matter most.

The hardest discipline of all may be using just one screen.

Let go of Ctrl+Tab and achieve more!

Singletasking: The Next Trend in Web Working? [WebWorkerDaily]

Call for Abstracts: 2010 Food Safety Education Conference

You are invited to submit abstracts on evidence-based food safety initiatives that address an aspect of consumer food safety education or education within the food service industry that focus on one or more of the following themes: Causes and Casualties: Attribution of Foodborne Illness Behavioral and Attitudinal Research Social Marketing Trends and Consumer Outreach Tapping the Medical Community Role of Food Service and Retail Role of Technology in Consumer Education and Risk Communication Partnerships and Collaborations For more information, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Atlanta2010 or email us at Atlanta2010@nsf.org. Hosts Sponsors   Key Dates Submission deadline: July 1, 2009 Notification of acceptance: September 1, 2009 Final presentation due: March 15, 2010

Unable to view this invitation for the 2010 Food Safety Education Conference?
Visit www.fsis.usda.gov/atlanta2010

Food Safety and the Way Forward: The Robert Leader Endowed Lecture

A lecture by Frank Yianna, Food Safety and the Way Forward:  High Tech or High Touch?, will be presented on June 18, 2009, 4:00 p.m., at the University Club, Michigan State University.  For more information, visit here or here.