How have the recent spikes in international food prices affected people’s ability to escape poverty, and how many children saw their personal development harmed because their families could not afford food? How did countries react to the price spikes of 2007/08 and 2011 and what can they do to respond to higher and more volatile prices in future? The Global Monitoring Report 2012, a joint World Bank and IMF publication, addresses these questions as part of an annual stock-taking on progress to achieving the MDGs by 2015. It finds that a new period of high food prices could prevent millions of people from escaping poverty and have long-term adverse impacts on health and education – but well-designed policy responses can help address the risks.
To discuss these issues, you are invited to a panel debate and open Q&A session at the World Bank office in Brussels.
Panellists: Jos Verbeek, World Bank Group (GMR 2012 Lead Author)
Brad McDonald, IMF (Deputy Chief, Low Income Country Strategy Unit)
Jean-Pierre Halkin, European Commission (Head of Unit – Rural Development, Food Security, Nutrition – DG Devco)
Natalia Alonso, Oxfam International (Head of EU Office) –
Achille Bassilekin, ACP Group of State (Assistant Secretary General – Sustainable Economic Development and Trade) – tbc
Chair: Katarina Mathernova, Senior Advisor, World Bank
Date: Friday 27th April, 2012
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm (registrations from 1.45 pm)
Venue: World Bank Group, Avenue Marnix 17 (second floor), Brussels 1000
