Virtual Webinar Series Attracts Various Audiences

Like many others, DWFI adjusted its programming and outreach in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The institute engaged stakeholders mostly virtually, kicking off its fall 2020 programming in August by featuring Louise Mabulo in a webinar exploring women leaders in water for food and empowering youth entrepreneurs. Mabulo is an award-winning chef, entrepreneur, and agriculture advocate and had been slated to headline the in-person 2020 Water for Food Global Conference, which was postponed.

Additional webinars comprised the complete Water for Food Global Webinar Series, which attracted more than 3,000 registrants and over 1,200 live viewers. More than 1,700 viewed the recorded sessions on YouTube. Collaborators included those from the World Wildlife Fund, The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé, Cargill, iDE, IWMI, USDA, the Irrigation Innovation Consortium, the Water Policy Group and others. The series explored the topics of:

• Women Leaders in Water for Food: Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs
• Women Leaders in Water for Food: Improving Lives and Ag Productivity
• The Role of Water Re-use in Water Security | 2020 Water for Food Global Webinar Series
• Advancing Science-Based Targets for Freshwater | 2020 Water for Food Global Webinar Series
• Water, Climate and Health
• Advancements in Agricultural Water Management and Regulation
• Innovations in Irrigation | Water for Food Global Webinar Series
• Water Tenure and Water Rights | Water for Food Global Webinar Series