Events

Transforming Food Systems: Towards diversified agroecological systems

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Date/Time
Date(s) - 14/03/2017
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location
Canada Room, Lanyon Building
Queens University Belfast
Belfast

BT7 1NN

Northern Ireland


This lecture explores the potential of diversified agroecological farming systems to address food security and ecological challenges of the 21st century. The need for a major transformation of our food systems is overwhelming – from degradation of ecosystems to the fragility of farmer livelihoods; from persistence of hunger and under-nutrition to the growth of obesity and diet-related diseases. There is increasing evidence that systems based around diversified agroecological farming are succeeding where current systems are failing, namely in addressing simultaneously the problems of food security, environmental protection, nutritional adequacy, social equity and locally-led development. The lecture describes systemic ‘lock-ins’ that represent strong obstacles to change, and presents emerging opportunities for supporting the shift towards diversified agroecological systems.

Emile Frison is an expert on conservation and agricultural biodiversity who has headed global research-for-development organisation Bioversity International for ten years, after holding top positions at several global research institutes. He is currently the Chair of the International Scientific Committee on Sustainable Food Systems of the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation. His areas of expertise include the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity. He has a particular interest in sustainable food systems and the deployment of agricultural biodiversity to improve nutrition and the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems

The Nexus project is investigating how climate change and future energy availability could affect food and farming in Northern Ireland, and explores ways government agencies, businesses, voluntary organisations, and researchers can work together to address these challenges. For further information please contact Wayne Foord – email: w.foord@qub.ac.uk.

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