The Group Of 78/Le Groupe Des 78

### Context Profile for The Group Of 78/Le Groupe Des 78

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
The Group of 78 is a Canadian nonprofit organization focused on promoting international cooperation and sustainable development. Their mission centers around addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change through informed policy discussions and advocacy. They aim to engage policymakers, academics, and civil society in dialogues that lead to actionable solutions, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.

#### 2. Type of Activities
- **Annual Policy Conference**: The organization hosts an annual conference that addresses pressing global issues, such as redefining development in the context of geopolitical instability and technological advancements. The most recent conference focused on harnessing AI and innovative finance to achieve the SDGs.
- **Workshops and Discussions**: They facilitate discussions and workshops that bring together experts and stakeholders to explore solutions to global challenges.
- **Publications and Reports**: The Group of 78 produces reports and publications that provide insights and recommendations based on their conferences and discussions.
- **Advocacy Campaigns**: They engage in advocacy efforts to influence policy and promote international cooperation.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
The tone of voice used by The Group of 78 is **professional, informative, and engaging**. Their communications are characterized by:
- A formal yet accessible style, making complex topics understandable to a broader audience.
- An inspiring tone that encourages action and collaboration among stakeholders.
- A sense of urgency regarding global issues, reflecting the critical nature of the challenges they address.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
The organization does not appear to use emojis in their communications. Their content maintains a formal and professional tone, which aligns with their focus on serious global issues.

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Information**: The Group of 78 was established in 1978, focusing on international development and cooperation.
- **Scale**: They have conducted 57 total forms and sent out 200 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement with their audience.
- **Impact Metrics**: While specific impact metrics are not detailed on the website, their focus on the SDGs suggests a commitment to measurable outcomes in international development.
- **Volunteer Information**: The website does not explicitly mention volunteer opportunities, but they likely engage with a network of professionals and academics in their initiatives.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Clarity and Precision**: Use clear and precise language to convey complex ideas simply.
- **Engagement**: Address the audience directly, using inclusive language that invites participation and collaboration.
- **Professionalism**: Maintain a formal tone, avoiding slang or overly casual expressions.
- **Call to Action**: Encourage readers to engage with the content, whether by attending events, reading publications, or participating in discussions.
- **Consistency**: Ensure that the messaging aligns with the organization’s mission and values, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable development and international cooperation.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for creating personalized content that resonates with The Group of 78's audience and aligns with their mission and values.

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General Admission

Join The Group of 78 for a pivotal discussion event with Awegechew Teshome, Million Belay, Ana Deaconu, Danna Leaman, Bruce Moore, and Timothy Wise. Awegechew Teshome&rsquo;s first-hand research and collaboration with indigenous and family farming communities reveal how traditional knowledge and practice are key to preserving biodiversity, combating climate change, and feeding a fragile planet. His recently-published book, All Starts with Seeds: Farmer-Scientist Journeys towards Biodiversity and a Secure Future (Tellwell, 2025) celebrates the skills and knowledge of traditional and indigenous farmers. The author demonstrates our ultimate dependence on the seeds and ancestral crops they steward and calls us to expand farmer-scientist collaboration for a sustainable future for everyone. This webinar will discuss the key ideas emerging from Awegechew&rsquo;s book, and their implications for actionable policy, particularly on food security and biodiversity. A panel of four experts will comment on the book, drawing on their own research and knowledge of the issues.&nbsp;Speakers:&nbsp;Awegechew Teshome,&nbsp;PhD, is a senior research scientist with a passion for traditional farming systems and their role in sustainable agriculture. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications. His research explores how family farmers manage crop diversity in complex ecosystems highlighting the resilience and ingenuity of traditional agricultural ecosystems.&nbsp;With field-based experience in more than 40 countries, Awegechew specialises in the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity. He champions farmer-scientist collaboration and evidence-based policies that empower local communities. His work is dedicated to building food and environmental security through science that is rooted in the recognition of farmers&rsquo; rights and knowledge to achieve resilient and sustainable livelihoods. Million Belay is a member of the IPES-Food panel; co-founder and general coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) &ndash; a network of farmers&rsquo; organizations, NGO networks, consumer movements and small-scale producers advocating for agroecology, food sovereignty, and the rights of small-scale food producers in Africa; and he is an expert on forestry conservation, indigenous livelihoods and food and seed sovereignty.He is also a founder of MELCA-Ethiopia, an indigenous NGO working on agroecology, intergenerational learning, conservation of forests and the livelihoods of local communities and indigenous peoples. He also played a significant part in the Africa Biodiversity Network (ABN).&nbsp;He is interested in knowledge dialogues and the use of participatory mapping for social learning, identity building and mobilization of memory. His work integrates resilience thinking into national, regional and global policies, helping communities in their adaptive strategies to social and ecological change. He won the National Green Hero Award for both Ethiopia and Addis Ababa, the capital city, in 2008. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Rhodes University, South Africa. He has a PhD in Education, an MSc. in Tourism and Conservation, and a BSc. in Biology Ana Deaconu is a Senior Program Officer with the International Development Research Centre, as part of the Climate Resilient Food Systems team. Over the past 15 years, she has worked with Indigenous farmers and other rural populations in Latin America at the intersection of agroecology, nutrition, gender and farmer health and well-being. She has examined these subjects through field experience in Peru, Belize, Colombia, Guatemala and Ecuador, and lived in the latter country for 5 years. Ana holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University and a PhD in Nutrition from Universit&eacute; de Montr&eacute;al. Danna J. Leaman, PhD,&nbsp;a conservation biologist/ethno-botanist, is an independent consultant, writer, and science editor, affiliated with the Canadian Museum of Nature as a Research Associate. She is an instructor in the University of Guelph&rsquo;s Masters of Conservation Leadership Programme. A member of the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), she is Co-Chair of the Medicinal Plant Specialist Group. She is a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the FairWild Foundation, established in 2008 to promote sustainable wild collection of medicinal and other commercially useful plants, and is a member of the Vascular Plants Species Subcommittee of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Dr Leaman has been directly involved in ethnobotanical and conservation field research programmes in Southeast Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, North America, the Middle East, and in many other countries in the capacity of technical advisor, evaluator, and trainer for a variety of organizations including UNESCO, IDRC, UNDP, WWF, TRAFFIC International, and Bioversity International. Dr Leaman received her PhD in biology from the University of Ottawa, Canada, in 1996, based on ethnobotanical research in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, and the World Wildlife Fund in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Timothy A. Wise is a senior research fellow at Tufts University&rsquo;s Global Development and Environment Institute, where he founded and directed its Globalization and Sustainable Development Program. He is the author of Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food (The New Press, 2019). He has served as a Senior Advisor at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and at the Small Planet Institute, where he directed its Land and Food Rights Program from 2016-2020. He formerly directed the U.S.-based aid agency Grassroots International. He is the author of Confronting Globalization: Economic Integration and Popular Resistance in Mexico, in addition to Eating Tomorrow. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Register now to contribute to meaningful conversations that drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering to attend the Seeds, Biodiversity, and Food Security webinar with Awegechew Teshome, Million Belay, &nbsp;Ana Deaconu, Danna Leaman, Timothy A. Wise and moderated by Bruce Moore.&nbsp; Please join us at 10 AM ET on Wednesday, January 28 at the link below.&nbsp; <a fr-original-style="" href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81595224823?pwd=RfnO1wbRV4Pl9vG17ZxdE3zlW9ov6K.1" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81595224823?pwd=RfnO1wbRV4Pl9vG17ZxdE3zlW9ov6K.1</a> Maude Stephanygroup78@group78.org

Join The Group of 78 for a pivotal discussion event with Awegechew Teshome, Million Belay, Ana Deaconu, Danna Leaman, Bruce Moore, and Timothy Wise. Awegechew Teshome’s first-hand research and collaboration with indigenous and family farming communities reveal how traditional knowledge and practice are key to preserving biodiversity, combating climate change, and feeding a fragile planet. His recently-published book, All Starts with Seeds: Farmer-Scientist Journeys towards Biodiversity and a Secure Future (Tellwell, 2025) celebrates the skills and knowledge of traditional and indigenous farmers. The author demonstrates our ultimate dependence on the seeds and ancestral crops they steward and calls us to expand farmer-scientist collaboration for a sustainable future for everyone. This webinar will discuss the key ideas emerging from Awegechew’s book, and their implications for actionable policy, particularly on food security and biodiversity. A panel of four experts will comment on the book, drawing on their own research and knowledge of the issues. Speakers: Awegechew Teshome, PhD, is a senior research scientist with a passion for traditional farming systems and their role in sustainable agriculture. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications. His research explores how family farmers manage crop diversity in complex ecosystems highlighting the resilience and ingenuity of traditional agricultural ecosystems. With field-based experience in more than 40 countries, Awegechew specialises in the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity. He champions farmer-scientist collaboration and evidence-based policies that empower local communities. His work is dedicated to building food and environmental security through science that is rooted in the recognition of farmers’ rights and knowledge to achieve resilient and sustainable livelihoods. Million Belay is a member of the IPES-Food panel; co-founder and general coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) – a network of farmers’ organizations, NGO networks, consumer movements and small-scale producers advocating for agroecology, food sovereignty, and the rights of small-scale food producers in Africa; and he is an expert on forestry conservation, indigenous livelihoods and food and seed sovereignty.He is also a founder of MELCA-Ethiopia, an indigenous NGO working on agroecology, intergenerational learning, conservation of forests and the livelihoods of local communities and indigenous peoples. He also played a significant part in the Africa Biodiversity Network (ABN). He is interested in knowledge dialogues and the use of participatory mapping for social learning, identity building and mobilization of memory. His work integrates resilience thinking into national, regional and global policies, helping communities in their adaptive strategies to social and ecological change. He won the National Green Hero Award for both Ethiopia and Addis Ababa, the capital city, in 2008. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Rhodes University, South Africa. He has a PhD in Education, an MSc. in Tourism and Conservation, and a BSc. in Biology Ana Deaconu is a Senior Program Officer with the International Development Research Centre, as part of the Climate Resilient Food Systems team. Over the past 15 years, she has worked with Indigenous farmers and other rural populations in Latin America at the intersection of agroecology, nutrition, gender and farmer health and well-being. She has examined these subjects through field experience in Peru, Belize, Colombia, Guatemala and Ecuador, and lived in the latter country for 5 years. Ana holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University and a PhD in Nutrition from Université de Montréal. Danna J. Leaman, PhD, a conservation biologist/ethno-botanist, is an independent consultant, writer, and science editor, affiliated with the Canadian Museum of Nature as a Research Associate. She is an instructor in the University of Guelph’s Masters of Conservation Leadership Programme. A member of the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), she is Co-Chair of the Medicinal Plant Specialist Group. She is a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the FairWild Foundation, established in 2008 to promote sustainable wild collection of medicinal and other commercially useful plants, and is a member of the Vascular Plants Species Subcommittee of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Dr Leaman has been directly involved in ethnobotanical and conservation field research programmes in Southeast Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, North America, the Middle East, and in many other countries in the capacity of technical advisor, evaluator, and trainer for a variety of organizations including UNESCO, IDRC, UNDP, WWF, TRAFFIC International, and Bioversity International. Dr Leaman received her PhD in biology from the University of Ottawa, Canada, in 1996, based on ethnobotanical research in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, and the World Wildlife Fund in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Timothy A. Wise is a senior research fellow at Tufts University’s Global Development and Environment Institute, where he founded and directed its Globalization and Sustainable Development Program. He is the author of Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food (The New Press, 2019). He has served as a Senior Advisor at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and at the Small Planet Institute, where he directed its Land and Food Rights Program from 2016-2020. He formerly directed the U.S.-based aid agency Grassroots International. He is the author of Confronting Globalization: Economic Integration and Popular Resistance in Mexico, in addition to Eating Tomorrow. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Register now to contribute to meaningful conversations that drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030.

The Group Of 78/Le Groupe Des 78

Seeds, Biodiversity and Food Security

General Admission

Free

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