[Bilimsel Haber] Grant for a Research Initiative: “Food Security and Food Sovereignty in the Middle East”

[Onur Inal]

Grant for a Research Initiative: “Food Security and Food Sovereignty
in the Middle East”

The Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at the
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar announces a
major research initiative designed to enhance our understanding of
Food Security and Food Sovereignty in the Middle East.

Background Information: The Middle East as a region lacks adequate
food self-sufficiency, and is as a result dependent on the importation
of food items and vulnerable to global changes in food prices. The
volatility in food costs between 2005 and 2008-caused for the most
part by restrictions imposed by food exporting countries, the growth
of the biofuel sector, and speculative trading in agricultural
commodities- revitalized interest among states of the Middle East in
developing food security strategies. A variety of responses have been
taken up by regional governments, including attempts to address market
instability and inflation, investment in domestic agricultural
programs using innovative technologies, and potentially controversial
initiatives to develop overseas agricultural investments. Despite this
critical regional interest in food security and food sovereignty,
there exists a lack of available data upon which to base sound
analysis and develop appropriate responses.

The Purpose of the Grant: With this situation in mind, CIRS seeks to
stimulate the collection of reliable data and the production of sound
analysis on this topic. Priority will be given to projects that
propose original, empirically-grounded research involving fieldwork on
topics related to food security and food sovereignty in the region.
Award recipients are expected to become active participants in the
CIRS research initiative on the issue. This may include travel to Doha
for working group meetings, public talks, or authorship of a chapter
for an edited volume.

The awards can last up to a maximum of one year. Researchers
interested in applying should send a cover letter and a detailed
research proposal that conforms to the guidelines outlined on the
Request for Proposals on the CIRS website. Review of proposals begins
on December 15, 2010. For inquiries and grant application submission,
please contact cirsgrants at georgetown.edu.