The dominant food system in the world is exploitative and extractive, but examples across the world demonstrate that a more just and fair food system is possible. Agroecological approaches have evolved to offer a set of guiding principles that can help transform our food systems, to create a more socially just, diverse, holistic and sustainable food system that better respects and benefits cultures, the environment, and people engaged at every level of the system.
Agroecological approaches are anchored in human rights, rooted in culturally and ecologically diverse knowledge systems, and have the potential to build the community resilience necessary to deal with both the forces of climate change and corporate control. Yet, there have been roadblocks to advancing agroecology globally.
Agroecology experts, advocates, and practitioners will discuss how agroecology, as a systems approach, can address multiple ongoing global crises, both ecological, economic and sociocultural. Hear from farmers based in the Global North and South as they share their reasons for practicing agroecology and the challenges they face. Panelists will discuss these challenges, as well as potential pathways to successfully advancing agroecology. Panel presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session where audience members will interact with the presenters and the panelists.
The virtual seminar was co-hosted by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité (CIDSE).
Agenda
- Introduction: Agroecology: A systems approach for food system transformations
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- Sophia Murphy, Executive Director, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, USA
- Agroecology Today: Anchored in human rights; rooted in culturally and ecologically diverse knowledge systems; building resilience
- Magdalena Ackermann, Policy and Advocacy Officer at Society for International Development (SID), Rome
- Panel I: Why do agroecological approaches offer the most comprehensive pathway to address multiple challenges and crises?
- Lim Li Ching, Senior Researcher at Third World Network (TWN), Malaysia, and member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food)
- Marcia Ishii, Senior Scientist at Pesticide Action Network, North America (PANNA) and coordinator of the PAN International Agroecology GrouP
- Million Belay, General Coordinator, Alliance for Food Sovereignty Africa (AFSA)
- Farmers Stories: Farmers from the Global North and South will share why they practice agroecology and challenges to success
- Busisiwe Mgangxela, agroecology farmer, member of South African Organic Sector Organization (SAOSO), South Africa
- Jason Lindsay, agroecology farmer, educator, Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network, (SAAFON), USA
- Vincent Delobel, dairy farmer, Belgium
- Marcela Calderón, farmer in Buenos Aires province, Argentina
- Nong Eddie Sasi, farmer, Philippines
- Panel II: Impediments and pathways to advancing agroecology around the world
- Nina Moeller, Associate Professor, CAWR, U.K. and Agroecology Now!
- Francesco Ajena, Independent Researcher, Italy
- Timothy A. Wise, Senior Advisor, IATP, USA
- Cecilia Elizondo, Academic Staff of Agroecology Group, El Colegio de La Frontera Sur and former Chief of Cabinet of Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico
- Alberta Guerra, Senior Policy Analyst, Action Aid, USA/Italy
- Q&A with panelists and presenters
- Vincent Dauby, Agroecology and Food Sovereignty Officer, CIDSE, Belgium
- Shiney Varghese, Senior Policy Analyst, IATP, USA
Moderator: Karen Hansen-Kuhn, Program Director, IATP, USA
