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21
Oct
2021
 
5:30 am - 7:00 pm

Most people know very little about the process of food production and distribution deliver to our tables. There is an important lack of information on the factors that come into play along the food chain and the social and environmental impacts of the current food system.

About the event:

The food industry is one of the main factors behind biodiversity loss and the worsening of global inequalities. We aim to contribute to a better understanding of the food system as a tool for social change. It is vital to understand the different processes and exercise critical thinking, as actors in the agri-food system become aware, act, and demand change.

These project will be decided into sessions that will have a European focus, but also a global one, as global is the agri-food business and, above all, its impacts. The Common Agricultural Policy and the different European strategies and policies (From Farm to Fork) will be present throughout this series of roundtables in September/ October and with the speakers we will try to analyse their positive and negative aspects regarding the topics discussed.

 

Programme:

5. THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF AGROECOLOGY

Agroecology is a way of farming that focuses on food production that makes the best use of nature’s goods and services while not damaging these resources. It is an in-depth transformative tool to develop sustainable agri-food systems, moving away from the industrial system.

Agroecology teaches us that there is another way of looking at the world, a more sustainable and fairer way to feed humanity, respecting the environment, and taking care of both producers and consumers.

Agroecological initiatives are on the rise as they favour soil regeneration, water protection, and safeguards biodiversity. It protects our health, promotes employment, fair wages, makes women’s work visible and valued, and revitalizes the rural economy.

However, the adjective “agroecological” can hide a distinct reality. Large agri-food companies have found in agroecology a new business opportunity, albeit one that promotes their vision based on profit and is far removed from its transformative component. They incorporate certain practices to mitigate some agricultural affects but avoid touching the pillars holding the current industrial system. In this session, we will further explore this issue. We will also look at the EU’s strategies and policies to promote agroecology. We will also learn about two agroecological experiences: the Ecocomedores in the Canary Islands and the projects of the El Colletero Association (

Speakers:
* Andrés Muñoz, Head of Food Sovereignty at Friends of the Earth specialising in
awareness raising and advocacy on Food Sovereignty.
* Aina Calafat
Head of international projects of the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture and Agroecology. She
worked for almost 20 years as technical director of the Consell Balear de la Producció Agrària
Ecològica.
* Margarita Hernández
Technician at the Canary Islands Institute of Agri-food Quality (ICCA) and coordinator of the
Ecocomedores (eco canteens) programme.
* Raquel Ramírez
representative of El Colletero (Nalda – La Rioja), an association that promotes agroecology to
achieve sustainable development and equality.
Moderation:
* Helena Cifre
Coordinator of the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture and Agroecology. Law graduate,
ecofeminist and expert in responsible consumption.

Practicalities:

Where: Online platform – ZOOM

Time and date: 21 October, 17:30-19:00 PM CET

Language: Simultaneous translation to English

Audience: these series of webinars are open for the general public

Registrations: Registrations are now open <<<


This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Transición Verde and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this event.

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