FAMU, City of Orlando will host international summit to address energy, water, food crisis

Florida A&M University (FAMU) is partnering with the City of Orlando to host its 2017 EnergyWaterFoodNexus International Summit from Sept. 20-22 at the Hilton Orlando.

This new science enterprise, launched by FAMU’s School of the Environment in 2015, will unite international thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, corporations and student-scholars in finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the global energy, water and food crisis.

Speakers for the two-day summit focused on the theme “Global Access to Safe Water” include:

• Csaba Deak, Chancellor, University of Miskolc, Hungary
• Alumna Bridgette Bell McAdoo, Global Director of Sustainability, KFC GLOBAL
• Istavan Kenyeres, CEO/Co-founder, Biopulus, Budapest, Hungary
• Stephen Mulkey, Director of Graduate Education, National Science Foundation
• Dimitri Corpakis, Former Unit Head, Research and Innovation, European Commission
• Zodwa Dlamini, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation & Engagements, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will also address attendees during the summit, which will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, eco-tours, a tech expo, a student gathering and gala.

Dyer, who said there is no better place than Florida to examine the EnergyWaterFoodNexus, believes Orlando will serve as the perfect hub for finding transformative solutions for the environment.

“The City of Orlando is working to become one of the most sustainable cities in America, and we are committed to building partnerships and sharing resources that foster positive environmental change,” Dyer said.

FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said hosting the EnergyWaterFoodNexus Summit is just one example of the University’s dedication to expanding sustainability research and awareness.

“As a research institution with expertise in renewable energy, water quality and food science, we will lead the charge on the nexus approach by breaking silos to spark creative collaborations and accelerate innovation, while training a future generation of problem solvers,” Robinson said.

According to FAMU’s School of the Environment Dean Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D., the solutions found at the EnergyWaterFoodNexus will not only have lasting impacts on the health of citizens worldwide, but also the global economy.

“The developing world lacks access to clean energy, safe drinking water and food security, putting the global economy in jeopardy of stagnation,” said Ibeanusi, summit chair. “By providing increased access to these basic needs, the global economy stands to grow exponentially, diffusing innovations and sustainable practices across borders.”