The Fernand Lambein Fund is delighted to announce the first International Lathyrus Day, scheduled for June 3, 2024, in the lively city of Ghent, Belgium. Honoring the legacy of Fernand Lambein, a distinguished researcher in the field of Lathyrus sativus, this event extends a warm invitation to academics and professionals alike, encouraging the convergence of minds to foster connections, share knowledge, and cultivate collaborations across the globe.

Esteemed Keynote Speakers, including Dr. Peter Emmrich from the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development and Dr. Shiv Kumar Agrawal from ICARDA, will present their latest work on Lathyrus sativus. Their profound expertise ensures attendees gain valuable insights into grass pea research and its practical applications. In addition, this event will be the platform for further contributions. Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts. This is the opportunity to actively shape the Lathyrus Day program, enriching the event with insights, research findings, and innovative ideas.

Guided tour - Zwijnaarde Science park - June 4th
On June 4, 2024, it will be possible to visit the Zwijnaarde Science Park, nestled in the area near Ghent. The Science Park is a hub where international corporate R&D centers, public research institutes, and high-tech growth enterprises converge. Here, several engineering and science faculty institutes collaborate on cutting-edge research. Within this dynamic ecosystem lies the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) and the Ardoyen campus, part of Ghent University. The science park also houses a thriving business incubator, providing a nurturing environment for startups and innovative ventures. The visit will be possible for only 20 people, and tickets will be given with a first come, first served policy.

Sponsor: Crop Trust
The Crop Trust is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and availability of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in perpetuity. At the core of Crop Trust is an Endowment Fund dedicated to providing long-term financial support to secure key collections of crop diversity in genebanks worldwide and ensure their availability for use, forever and for the benefit of everyone. The Crop Trust supports the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and works closely with dedicated donors and partners to coordinate and implement large-scale projects worldwide, such as BOLD - Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development. One of the focus areas of the BOLD Project is pre-breeding for seven key food and forage crops: alfalfa, barley, durum wheat, finger millet, grasspea, potato and rice.