Book launch invitation – Buying Time: J.G. Crawford and international agricultural research

Date: Wednesday 21 February 2024

Time: 6.00pm – 7.45pm AEST
including a networking reception after proceedings

Venue: National Press Club
16 National Circuit, Barton, ACT

Register here for this free event, for catering purposes

The Crawford Fund is named in honour of Sir John Crawford, a remarkable Australian who contributed at the highest levels to the development of Australia and other countries. Sir John regarded his contribution to international agricultural research policy and practice as perhaps his main achievement, amongst many, focused on achieving efficiency and equity in global agricultural production and what would come to be called ‘food security’.

The Crawford Fund Chair and Board of Directors cordially invite you to join them for the launch of a special account of Sir John Crawford’s contribution to international agricultural research, prior to the completion of a full biography of Sir John later in the year.

We will also hear from the Fund’s Chair, The Hon John Anderson AC; co-authors Dr Denis Blight, former CEO of the Crawford Fund and Nicholas Brown, Professor of History at the ANU; the President of the RAID Network, Mikayla Hyland-Wood, with comments from the CEO of ACIAR, Dr Wendy Umberger, and time for Q&A and a reception to follow.

As noted in the book, Crawford’s “embrace of agriculture, and specifically of the promise of the green revolution, was not as a simple solution, but a means of ‘buying time’ while other pressing issues, might also be addressed.”

2024 is the 40th anniversary of Sir John’s passing – join us to learn more about and celebrate this complex man and his contribution to increase agricultural productivity, expand international education and training programs as well as improving economic policy capacity of governments – a legacy that the Crawford Fund is proud to continue.

The program follows:

  • 6pm                      Registration and Networking
  • 6.10pm                John Anderson, More Sir Johns Needed
  • 6.20pm                Nicholas Brown, Sir John’s Broader Impact
  • 6.30pm                Denis Blight, Sir John the Man
  • 6.35pm                Mikayla Hyland Wood – Inspiring the NextGen
  • 6.45pm                Q&A
  • 6.55pm                Wendy Umberger, ACIAR Continuing Sir John’s Vision
  • 7pm                      Launch of “Buying Time”
  • 7.05pm                Colin Chartres, Thank You
  • 7.10 – 7.40          Networking reception