Phelps Stokes to Host Discussion on Urban Farming and Global Food Justice in NYC

NEW YORK, NY – The 101 year old non-profit, Phelps Stokes has re-opened their New York offices after 11 years of being headquartered in Washington D.C. Phelps Stokes will be hosting their first event on November 8, 2012 at New York University Kimmel Building in room 909 at 8:30pm. This event is free and open to the public.

The first Phelps Stokes NYC event in 11 years will be a Palaver Hut discussing how the urban farming model can be used internationally to promote food justice.  A Palaver Hut is a Phelps Stokes monthly tradition. The word ‘Palaver’  is used to describe a prolonged discussion between two parties,  that comes from the West African tradition of gathering an entire village into a hut to discuss a matter until it is resolved. Phelps Stokes’  Africa Roundtable is a platform where community organizers, activists, political leaders, nonprofit professionals, scholars, students, and researchers meet monthly to discuss challenges, strategies for action, new initiatives, and other issues specific to Africa. Phelps Stokes Palaver Huts take place once a month in Washington, D.C. and New York City as a forum to discuss pressing international issues with leaders in a relevant field.

This is a very special event for Phelps Stokes. They are working with New York University’s student group Global Public Health Action Network to put on this spectacular panel discussion. The panelists include: Dr. Richard Plunz, Director of Columbia University’s Urban Design Lab; Ms. Claudia Joseph, Permaculture Consultant, Teacher, and Director of Education for the Old Stone House;  Ms. Camilla Hammer, Farm Manager of the Battery Urban Farm; and Dr. Michael Cohen, The New School Director of International Affairs. Their discussion will be moderated by Dr. Dickson Despommier, Director of the Vertical Farm Project and Professor at Columbia University.

We are also proud to announce that Paradis To-Go, located on 114 Fourth Ave NY, has kindly donated food for the event. Special thanks to Face2faceAfrica for their media partnership. 

For questions, comments, or concerns please contact Alissa Cherry, Manager of Phelps Stokes Office on Communication and Partnership Development NYC at acherry@phelpsstokes.org