Background
Rapid progress in genomic tools, phenotyping methods and big-data analytics is driving major breakthroughs in crop and animal breeding for faster genetic gain. Yet, the question remains: rapid genetic gain of what and for whom? For breeding programs with poverty alleviation and development goals, the outcome of accelerating technical progress is only meaningful if linked to more gender equitable benefits for smallholder farmers.

The CGIAR Gender and Breeding Initiative (GBI) aims to address this gap. GBI is a unique collaboration of breeders and gender researchers, in equal representation and working actively together to develop products to help guide breeding programs. GBI has developed frameworks and tools answering the question “how can breeding programs become gender responsive?” Going forward, GBI is envisaged to focus on three main areas: producing evidence through i) robust research on the impact of gender responsive breeding, or a failure to consider gender, on agricultural development and gender equity; ii) developing and testing standardized protocols and tools for gender inclusion in implementation of breeding programs; and  iii) capacity building to transfer these skills and knowledge to breeding programs for lasting change.

The symposium will discuss how gender can be integrated into plant breeding programs, offering opportunities for collaboration between GBI members and Cornell faculty, staff and students.

Coffee, light breakfast and lunch will be provided; please RSVP by Wednesday, 11/7/18: https://goo.gl/forms/HDBjtSzYlRq7bTdH2

The symposium is co-sponsored by: The CGIAR Gender & Breeding Initiative; NextGen Cassava, Gender-responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation (GREAT); and the School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University. 

Agenda
9.30 – Welcome / introductions
10.00-11.45 – Short talks:

• ‘Gender analysis in agricultural research: Setting the scene’ – Alessandra Galiè, Senior Gender Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
• ‘Who’s priority? Reflections on priority setting in the sciences’ – Stephen Hilgartner, Professor, Department of Science and Technology Studies, Cornell University
• ‘Reality check: Can we breed for all ‘traits?’’ – Eva Weltzien, Agronomy Department, University of Wisconsin
• ‘Gender and Social Targeting in Breeding Programs’ – Alastair Orr, Honorary Research Fellow, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
• ‘Introduction to the CGIAR Gender and Breeding Initiative’ – Graham Thiele, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB); Hale Tufan, Principal Investigator, International Programs-CALS, Cornell University

11.45-12.45 – Round table discussion:

• ‘Fresh thinking for the future – How can gender integration in plant breeding adapt knowledge and approaches from other disciplines?’

12.45-2.00 – Networking lunch