ENVIRONMENTAL, SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED AT COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

WHAT: More than 1,000 of the nation's philanthropic and grantmaking leaders will convene at the Council on Foundations Annual Conference, April 7-9 in Chicago, to address the direct impact of the global environment and the sustainability of environmental infrastructure on our ability to fortify and protect the future of our communities.

Monday's breakfast plenary session, Food Justice: An Issue for All, features virtual remarks from His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales, who will share his perspective on the global challenges of food insecurity, malnourishment, and obesity, and the impact of non-sustainable approaches to farming and food production on the future of our society.

Sessions focused on environmental and sustainability issues will include a look at food security as the foundation for strengthening our communities, climate justice to provide sustainable energy access for all, and transformation of food systems to address racial and economic inequalities. Sessions will assess the impact of current challenges and share latest practices and innovations in creating effective, long-term solutions.

WHEN/WHO:  

Sunday, April 7, Session Highlights:

• Building Equitable and Sustainable Food Systems, 2:30-4 p.m.
  • Michael Hamm, professor, Michigan State University; Haile Johnston, founder and codirector, Common Market Philadelphia; Julian J. Champion, executive director, Fresh Moves; Malik Yakini, founder and executive director, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network; Linda Jo Doctor, program officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

• Climate Change, Climate Justice, 4:30-6 p.m.
  • Kumi Naidoo, executive director, Greenpeace International; Rachel Leon, executive director, Environmental Grantmakers Association; David Gordon, senior environmental program officer, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation

 Monday, April 8, Session Highlights:

• Breakfast Plenary: Food Justice: An Issue for All, 8-9:30 a.m.
  • His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales (via video)
  • LaDonna Redmond, senior program associate, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; Barbara "Barbie" Izquierdo, hunger advocate, Drexel University; Art Smith, president and CEO, The Art Smith Company; Scott Cullen, executive director, GRACE Communications Foundation

• Culture, Ideology, and Building Consensus on Important Issues - What We Can Learn From the Climate Change Debate, 4:30-6 p.m.
  • Andy J. Hoffman, Holcim Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, University of Michigan

Tuesday, April 9, Session Highlights:

• Activist Philanthropy: Challenging the Status-Quo - Change the Questions, Change the World, noon-1:30 p.m.
  • Eve Ensler, playwright, performer, and activist/founder, V-Day Foundation; Paul Farmer, chief strategist and cofounder, Partners In Health; David Walton, deputy chief of mission to Haiti, Partners in Health

WHERE:   Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

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The Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), formed in 1949, is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. Members of the Council include more than 1,700 independent, operating, community, public and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and abroad. The Council’s mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.