Thank you, Makiko, for letting us know about this webinar. Happy to see that Dr. Sanz will be presenting, and also noting the other distinguished presenters. The topic of the history (and indeed pre-history) of millets is one we broached in the Millets Webinar in February, but is one about which much more can be said. It would be nice to ultimately pull together a volume of articles on origins and early history of millets, and maybe webinars might generate interest in such a project.. The start time will be early in North America (12 CEST is 6 am EDT and 3 am on the Pacific coast), but I'd encourage people who are interested to register so that they have the option to catch the recording later. All the best, Don DO, EL, MI, US NAMA On Mon, Jul 3, 2023 at 4:12 AM Taguchi, Makiko (NSP) <Makiko.Taguchi@fao.org> wrote:

Dear all,

The timing may not be optimal for most of you in the US, but if possible, please join! You can also register to receive the link to the recording later.

Best regards

Makiko

*S A V E T H E D A T E*

11 July 2023 | 12:00 - 13:00 CEST

*Historical aspects of millets*

*An online event in English, with interpretation in Chinese*

*REGISTER HERE <https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kzHAw6QuTySTfG6Br2vLSg#/registration> *

The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) <https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/en>. As part of the IYM 2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing a four-part “*IYM Global Webinar Series” *to shed light on the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and their vast potential.

Millets were among the first domesticated plants and remain a traditional staple crop for millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia as the grains can thrive in poor soils, resist crop diseases and pests, and are resilient in adverse climatic conditions. As a fundamental crop for multiple Indigenous Peoples’ food systems around the world, millets have been an important crop for millennia, and even today can help overcome food scarcity in difficult periods, contributing to the food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations.

Join this webinar to learn more about the historical, anthropological, archaeological aspects of millets and their evolving heritage today!

*AGENDA*

*Time*

*Agenda item and presenter*

*12:00–12:05  *

Opening remarks by *Mr* *Jingyuan Xia*, Director of FAO Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), FAO

*12:05-12:15  *

*Archaeological and anthropological aspects in millets tradition* by *Ms* *Nuria Sanz*, Regional Director of UNESCO Cairo Office, Egypt

*12:15 –12:25*

*History of millets in Japan *by *Mr* *Mikio Kimata*, Ethnobotany and Principle for Learning Environment Emeritus Professor of Tokyo Gakugei University, Japan

*12:25 –12:35*

*Connecting tradition to markets *by *Mr* *Haiqing Liu, *Young Entrepreneur of Aohan Banner, an Agricultural Cultural Heritage Site, China

*12:35 –12:55*

Q&A session

*12:55 –13:00*

Closing remarks by *Mr Jingyuan Xia, *NSP Director, FAO

The webinar will be moderated by *Ms* *Makiko Taguchi*, Agricultural Officer, NSP, FAO

Stay tuned for the upcoming IYM 2023 webinars:

§ 5 September 2023 14:00-15:00 CEST – *Climate resilience of millets*

§ 19 September 2023 14:00-15:00 CEST – *Opportunities for processing millets*

*For more information, please contact: International-Year-Millets@fao.org <International-Year-Millets@fao.org> *

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