October 2020
![kenya blockchain](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/article-image.transform/m-medium/image.jpeg)
Dr. Jessica Agnew and Dr. Ralph Hall help land project to develop app that improves food security in Kenya
Actors in Kenya’s African Indigenous Vegetables (AIV) value chain may soon benefit from a new smartphone app that helps increase trust and transparency, thanks to a USAID project awarded to CIRED.
From the Executive Director
I’m pleased to share this new edition of CIRED Connect. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, CIRED continues to carry out its mission to seek partnerships and funding in support of Virginia Tech’s global land-grant mission.
![Rick Rudd](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_566507941/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
New CIRED Workforce Education and Development program expands opportunities to engage international partners
The Center for International Research, Education, and Development recently launched the Workforce Development and Education (WED) program.
![Honduran youth](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1255118138/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Community support is most important driver of Honduran youth migration, according to USAID study led by CIRED
Unemployment, poverty, and violence have driven many Honduran youth to the Mexico and U.S. borders in search of a better life.
![ipm women](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_379908519/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
COVID-19 disproportionately affects female farmers in Nepal
Like many nations in the developing world, Nepal’s agricultural sector and systems were at a critical juncture before the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially becoming more profitable, inclusive, and resilient.
![Maria Elisa Christie](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_2013027954/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.png)
Dr. Maria Elisa Christie spearheads efforts to combat racism
Following the recent wave of police brutality against Black Americans, CIRED has redoubled its efforts to fight against racism.
![Dr. Jessica Agnew](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1164085191/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
CIRED welcomes new Assistant Director for Research, Operations, and Program Management
CIRED is pleased to welcome its newest faculty member, Jessica Agnew, as the assistant director for research, operations, and program management.
![ADDA grads with drones](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_22363305/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.png)
African Drone and Data Academy graduates first online cohort
Less than one year after graduating its first class, the UNICEF African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) has made history again, graduating the first online cohort.
![IPM](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_263769278/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
IPM Innovation Lab featured in United Nations publication
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management has been featured in “Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development,” a publication out of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
![WGD conf](/content/cired_vt_edu/en/our-successes/cired-connect/october-2020/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1851498552/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.png)
Registration now open for 2021 Women and Gender in Development Virtual Conference
The Women and Gender in Development (WGD) team at CIRED is preparing for the second Women and Gender in Development Conference, this time a virtual, online event due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.
A periodic newsletter of the Center for International Research, Education, and Development