June 4-6, 2006

"Cultivating Peace: Agriculture in a World of Conflict and Violence"

Invitation

The Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD) invites members, guests, speakers and panelists to participate in our 42nd AIARD Annual Meeting scheduled for June 4-6, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street SW, Washington, DC. This event will provide an excellent opportunity for all participants to interact with policy makers, academicians and leaders of the private and public sectors who are actively addressing global poverty and hunger.

Development assistance is increasingly challenged by widespread working environments of conflict, violence, and failing states. Growing awareness and belief that development assistance - in the form of international agricultural and rural development activities and interventions - is a crucial component of transformational diplomacy. It can sustain economic and social progress in the face of dangers posed by conflict, violence, failing and failed states.

Despite its importance, however, formally documenting and demonstrating this awareness and belief is just getting underway. The 42nd AIARD Annual Meeting will provide the opportunity to explore past and current experiences in and potential new approaches to this vitally important and challenging endeavor.

Our annual meeting will engage knowledgeable speakers who will share insights and perspectives based on their experiences and research in international agriculture and rural development. By attending the 42nd AIARD annual meeting, you will have the opportunity to interact with development professionals who will focus on:

• A prospective new agenda for long-term, "conflict sensitive development",

• "Tipping Points" - moving from anecdotes to an analytical/predictive framework,

• Achieving peace where conflict is active, and

• Post conflict reconstruction and rural recovery through conflict-sensitive development.

We sincerely hope you will be able to attend and participate in the 2006 AIARD Annual Meeting. Please join us!

G.M. "Mike" McWhorter
President, 2005 - 2006