Dr. James Albrecht has worked in the food industry for the past 50 years and has been associated with major corporations such as International Minerals & Chemicals, the Coca-Cola Company, the Nestle Company, and McCormick & Co. He retired from McCormick & Co. in 1998 after serving 15 years in a variety of general management positions. His last position was that of Vice President – Science and Technology.
Dr. Albrecht has BS and MS degrees in Food Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, and a PhD degree from the University of Illinois in Food Science & Human Nutrition. He also holds an MBA degree from the University of Chicago. He received the 2011 University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association Award of Merit. He also has received the 2021 Alumni Service Award from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
He has authored numerous papers dealing with the general areas of product development and flavor technology, and has considerable background in the fields of international marketing and business development. His current interests center around sustainability of global food and water supplies, including “smart farming”, vertical and urban farming.
He has been a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Illinois and the University of Baltimore. Dr. Albrecht was a member of the International Advisory Council for the Monell Chemical Senses Center; the Board of Trustees of the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs; the Advisory Board for the Institute for Food Safety & Health at Illinois Institute of Technology. He is the Past-President of the Volunteer Auxiliary Board at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
He currently serves as a charter member of the Board of Directors of the World Trade Center Institute in Baltimore. In 2017 he established two WTCI fellowship programs for high school students (Youth Diplomats) and college undergraduates (Global Possibilities for Students) to give students an early understanding and appreciation of the importance of the international business community.
Dr. Albrecht is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists and a Certified Food Scientist (CFS). He has also served as a member of the IFT Board of Directors, and currently serves on the Editorial Board of Food Reviews International. He was the 2013 recipient of the Calvert Willey Award for distinguished service to the Institute.
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.
