USAID-USDA Norman Borlaug Fellowship Program Symposium

USAID and USDA, in collaboration with Iowa State University, organized on July 2, 2007 a one day symposium for the USDA Norman Borlaug Fellows from Romania and their mentors from the Universities of Kentucky, Wisconsin and Iowa State. The primary purpose of this symposium was to share some of the success stories from the Fellows’ professional careers, discuss how the Fellows Program impacted their professional lives, and determine how best to keep the program alive and prospering after the USAID funding ends.

The theme of this event was - 21^st Century Challenges to Sustainable Food Systems and the role of Agribusiness, Biotechnology, Environment, Trade, and Policy. The event also brought other education leaders, researchers, policy makers, and agri-business leaders from Romania to discuss and debate issues of sustainable food systems. Participation by the USAID Acting Director at the 2007 meeting emphasized and publicized U.S. Government support for an exchange program that supports a more prosperous Romania.

The U.S. Government, through USAID and USDA, has supported the Norman Borlaug Fellowship Program as part of the efforts to help Romania achieve success in its transition to a prosperous market-economy and EU membership. Our vision was to assure that talented Romanians overcome the challenges of transition and help their country become a strong EU member and U.S. partner.

The Borlaug Program provided tailored fellowship opportunities to agricultural scientists from throughout Romania. The knowledge gained helped prepare the participants to respond promptly to the challenges faced by Romanian agriculture and to equip them with the tools they needed to become leaders in their professions.

The program also led to increased collaboration and networking between Romanian and U.S. agricultural universities, and provided Romanian policy makers with a community of qualified agricultural professionals which they can call upon in order to make sound, science-based policy decisions.

Addressing the participants Ms. Debra Mosel, USAID Acting Director said: "You and your peers are the vital catalyst that will create a robust Romanian economy – an economy that will provide more opportunities for income generation and employment. You are leading the way forward for Romania and your efforts will have a direct impact on Romania’s rural economic growth."

back to top ^