AGROECOLOGY SCIENCE DAYS

University of Lausanne, Switzerland

3, 4 October 2024
Agroecology Day for all
5 October 2024
Programme PDF available here
Logistic note

Scientific symposium organised by the UNIL Institute of Geography and Sustainability, the ‘Enterprise for Society’ centre, the Forum Origine, Diversité et Territoires and the agroecology network in French-speaking Switzerland.

The Agroecology Science Days address the urgent challenges facing food systems by promoting sustainable practices and social equity. The event will bring together experts to explore how agroecology can transform food systems, with workshops on planetary limits, agricultural diversity and social dimensions.

Programme

Food systems are facing major constraints, notably climate change and societal expectations, and are at an historic crossroads. Given the accelerating impact of global warming on resources such as water, as well as extreme weather events that ravage crops or destroy homes and infrastructure, and the depletion of soils and disappearance of plant and animal species, humanity is at a crossroads when it comes to taking action to ensure the planet’s habitability. It is becoming crucial to find a fair, viable and relevant way of reducing the damage to natural resources and increasing resilience, while controlling the factors that contribute to the planet’s limits being exceeded. This must be done while respecting the fundamental rights and aspirations of human communities. In addition to climate-related challenges, other pressures on the planet’s resources, such as demographics and anthropogenic damage to biodiversity, are calling into question the very habitability of the planet.

Agriculture, as a key player in land use, food security and the health of cultivated ecosystems, is at the heart of concerns. However, all partners in food systems, in the broadest sense, must also take account of global limits. Agroecology has long positioned itself as a credible alternative for transforming farming and food practices, highlighting the crucial social factors needed to support these changes.

The players involved in transforming food systems are exploring different solutions on a global scale to combat the overexploitation of natural resources by drawing on biological and cultural diversity. To define community roadmaps, whether urban or rural, the transition to agroecology and the political decisions that support it are influenced by crucial themes and principles. To have an impact, these must be shared, understood and catalyzed within civil society, represented by consumers and social movements, as well as in scientific and political governance bodies.

Some aspects of agroecology, such as biological control of crop predators, the use of weather alerts to trigger biopesticide treatments, and the use of organic compost to regenerate soils, can be applied systematically in areas with a variety of environmental conditions. However, because of the influence of many natural factors on the health of plants and animals, adjustments on a local scale, such as districts, departments, valleys or mountain ranges, are necessary to guarantee agro-ecological production of greater quantity and quality than conventional farming.  Consumers themselves play a crucial role through their purchasing decisions, as do changes in the scale of food processing and distribution. The social issues behind consumer choices, fundamental rights and public ethics are also at stake in the agroecological transition of food systems.

As part of a rigorous selection process, we are proposing to bring together researchers and local players from Switzerland and neighbouring countries, as well as from other countries around the world, as well as innovators in food systems. The aim is to discuss the role and scope of agro-ecological principles at the heart of their actions.

The conference provides a platform for discussion and exchange around concrete examples of systems supported by the principles of agroecology, on both a small and large scale. It brings together the scientific community, local stakeholders, farmers, consumers, development agents, as well as decision-makers in governance bodies and international experts.

A plenary session will introduce the theme of the forum, followed by seven parallel workshops covering the following topics:

Workshop 1:    Respecting planetary limits and strengthening the social foundations of the food system.

Workshop 2:    Understanding the diversity of agricultural approaches in the transition of food systems.

Workshop 3:    The contribution of livestock production and pastoralism to a territorial approach to agro-ecology.

Workshop 4:    Nourishing the agro-ecological transition by exploring local dynamics and non-technical skills.

Workshop 5:    Fundamental rights for an inclusive agro-ecology – the right to food, social security for food, access to land.

Workshop 6:    Fair and just food systems: Transparency within the food system and the True Cost of Food.

Workshop 7:   Local sourcing for healthy food in urban and peri-urban food systems.

Schedule

Thursday 3 October 2024

François Pythoud, President, Swiss Academy of Taste

Welcome speeches

 Liliane Michalik, vice-rectrice Université de Lausanne

Christian Hofer, Director, Federal Office for Agriculture

Frédéric Brand, Directorate-General for Agriculture, Canton de Vaud

Jean-Pierre Danthine, Honorary Director, E4S (UNIL-EPFL-IMD)

Leïla Kébir, Director, Institute of Geography and Sustainability, UNIL

Key-note speech

The right to food – a fundamental human right for inclusive agroecology-

Christophe Golay, Senior Research Fellow

Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Cafeteria GEOPOLIS

WS1 – ROOM 3899 – Understanding complexity and identifying systemic barriers to the development of food systems

WS2 – ROOM 2129 – Definitions

WS3 – ROOM 3799 – The role of the specific characteristics of animal products linked to their origin in adapting to climatic, social and economic changes

WS4 – ROOM 2121 –Territorial facilitation and soft skills

WS5 – ROOM 4623 – The right to food – Definition and scope of the right to food as a fundamental right

WS6 – ROOM 2238 – Discuss a grid for understanding the different concepts and levels of disaggregation for calculating the real costs of food.

WS7 – ROOM 2114 – Framework and governance/stakeholder platform and participatory approaches



WS1 – ROOM 3899 Exploring the links between the transition of food systems and the social dimensions of agriculture

WS2 – ROOM 2129 – Systems approaches

WS3 – ROOM 3799 – Multi-criteria approaches and holistic assessment methods to take account of specific contexts

WS4 a) ROOM 2121 and b) ROOM 2207- Local knowledge, culture and traditional food

WS5 – ROOM 2238 – Societal costs and the use of hidden costs in public policy (same as WS6)

WS6 – ROOM 2238 – Societal costs and the use of hidden costs in public policy

WS7 – ROOM 2114 – Principles and practices of agroecological production and supply in the urban context



Made possible thanks to the Swiss PDO-PGI Association – Villa E4S

Friday 4 October 2024

WS1 – ROOM 3899 – Barriers and levers to local processing and distribution

WS2 – ROOM 2130 – Assessment

WS3 – ROOM 3799 – Identify the channels of material and institutional dependence in the evolution of livestock and pastoral systems

WS4-a) ROOM 2122 and b) 4899. Levers for transition within local society

WS5 – ROOM 2224 – The social security of food

WS6 – ROOM 1612 – The true cost of products

WS7 – ROOM 2137 – Synergies between agroecology, short food circuits and local markets in cities



10:30- 11:00 – Coffee break and group photo (GEOPOLIS)
11:15 Valérie Dittli, Head of the Department of Finance and Agriculture of the State of Vaud

Auditory 1612

WS1 – ROOM 3899 – Eating habits and production-consumption coordination

WS2 – ROOM 2130 – Valorisation

WS3 – ROOM 3799 – Public action to support change,

WS4 – ROOM 2122 – Unlocking systemic obstacles

WS5 – ROOM 2224 –

WS6 – – ROOM 1612 – Round table

WS7 – ROOM 2137 – Challenges and opportunities for agroecological and nutritious food in cities

Reports of discussions in parallel sessions (VORTEX)

Key-note Speech (VORTEX)

Pablo Tittonell, Prof. University of Groningen

Agroecology as a route to sustainable food systems

VORTEX

Saturday 5 October 2024

Les Papilles Cultivées – Une Fête de l’Agroécologie, a public event in the city of Lausanne

Workshops and Sessions' Descriptions
WORKSHOP 1: RESPECTING PLANETARY LIMITS AND STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE FOOD SYSTEM (IN FRENCH ONLY)

Catherine Lavallez and Anouchka Bagnoud (UNIL Sustainability Competence                      Centre)

A great deal of work has been done, in particular by the Centre de compétences en durabilité at the University of Lausanne, based on the Donut model developed by K. Raworth. Raworth. The particularity of this model is that it enables environmental and social issues to be linked together from a strong sustainability perspective, taking into account the existence of absolute limits (maximum in the resources consumed, minimum in the social needs to be met). This tool, which has already been successfully used to draw up an inventory of a local food system (in the Canton of Vaud), has shown that it can be used not only to understand the state of the environmental and social situation, but also to become aware of the scale of the changes that need to be made in order to reposition our societies, by 2050, in the safe and just space corresponding to the inside of the donut (where both environmental and social limits are respected). In addition, this model also appears to be a favourable tool for bringing together a wide range of stakeholders who are all involved in food systems but rarely have the opportunity to think together, over and above their often-divergent positions and interests.

As a result, thinking about the transition of food systems is currently leading many players to a feeling of deadlock. It is precisely this situation that we wish to help overcome, by aiming, through this workshop, to collectively develop a systemic vision of food chains that will enable us to make a diagnosis and move forward collectively. The aim is to build on the systemic issues and bottlenecks highlighted by the Donut approach, to initiate in-depth work on these issues, and also to identify the initial levers and solutions for transforming food systems towards greater sustainability. From a methodological point of view, this workshop will also be an opportunity to test and develop the possible uses of the Donut model, in an approach based on the complementarity between academic knowledge and knowledge from the field.

This first session focuses on the food system as a whole and aims to address the major issues and dynamics influencing the transition of territories. The objectives are to analyze and enrich certain systemic barriers identified through the donut approach, as well as the levers and solutions that would enable these barriers to be overcome, while questioning the ways in which the complexity of food systems can be apprehended.

  • Camille Gilloots, Sustainability Engineer, Center of Competence in Sustainability, UNIL. Issues identified by the donut, applied to the Vaud food system. Social, agricultural and systemic issues.
  • Jérémie Forney, Professor at the UNINE Institute of Ethnology and co-president of the Center of Excellence and Competence for the development of sustainable agroecological systems in the Jura Arc in a context of climate change.
  • Marie-Joëlle Kodjovi, Lecturer, Director of the Economics and Regional Development Research Group, HAFL

Every farmer is unique, and therefore faces different challenges and challenges. Through the donut, we were able to quantify the impact of the Vaud food system on planetary limits, and highlight various social issues. The aim of this session is to examine in greater depth the issues relating to the “production” side of the food chain. It will examine the difficulties linked to working and living conditions in the agricultural world, and the different perceptions farmers have of them. It will also put these social issues into perspective with the challenges of transition in agricultural practices: to what extent can the social situation act as a brake on transition? From a farming point of view, are there any other factors holding back the transition?

  • Anouchka Bagnoud, Sustainability specialist in food systems, Center of Competence in Sustainability, UNIL. Problems identified by the donut applied to the Vaud food system. Social, agricultural and systemic issues.
  • David Bischel, Agricultural engineer, market gardener and co-founder of the microfarm training program. Challenges and obstacles encountered by microfarms, between social dimensions and systemic obstacles.
  • Anne Chenevard, Nurse, farmer and president of the “fair milk” cooperative: The social challenges of milk production and sales, and obstacles to transition.

Increasing the proportion of local and sustainable (production and) processing and distribution could be a major step forward, not only for the ecological and social transition, but also for the resilience of territories. The current situation appears polarized, with two rather hermetic currents: on the one hand, a powerful mainstream, guided in particular by the major retailers, and on the other, smaller, alternative initiatives to this mainstream, which don’t seem capable of becoming widespread. This session will look at issues such as the distribution of margins within supply chains, the obstacles faced by artisans and project developers, the resilience of food systems and the environmental and social challenges of relocating processing and distribution.

  • Anouchka Bagnoud, Sustainability specialist in food systems, Center of Competence in Sustainability, UNIL. The challenges of relocalized processing through the lens of the donut.
  • Armelle Rochat, UNIL, Head of research project “Transparence des coûts et marges de Filières Agricoles romandes (FAV)”.
  • Astrid Gertz, Star’terre (AGRIDEA): Retrospective on the challenges and obstacles facing project leaders in food systems.

The transition of food systems, from production to distribution, requires an alignment of consumption behaviors to be viable. Yet, despite the many recognized benefits (environmental, health, enhancement of local agriculture, resilience, etc.), not only of a change in diet to include more seasonal, fresh, local, organic and less meat products, but also of a change in purchasing habits, towards structures promoting short distribution channels, our behaviors don’t seem to want to change significantly. Why is this? What are the obstacles to these changes? How can we overcome these obstacles and move towards a less socially inequitable system, given that disadvantaged populations are also those who often suffer from less healthy food, both in terms of nutrition and the environment?

  • Cecilia Matasci, Centre de compétence en durabilité UNIL, L’assiette des vaudoise.es, hypotheses for reducing impact with a change in diet and local sourcing, and comparison between production and consumption.
  • Oriane Sarasin, UNIL, Maîtresse d’enseignement et de recherche UNIL: Obstacles and reluctance to sustainable food-related behavior.
  • Alberto Silva, Uniterre – Farmers’ organization. – The knots and reflections behind the emergence of Social Food Insurance.
  • Hélène Bougouin, UNIL, Founder of Permaculture Pro and doctoral student at the Institute of Geography and Sustainability
WORKSHOP 2: UNDERSTANDING THE DIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL APPROACHES IN THE TRANSITION OF FOOD SYSTEMS (IN ENGLISH, SESSION 2 AND 3: IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH)

Stéphane Bellon (INRAE), Rémi Cluset (FAO), Ivanoé Koog (Earthworm Foundation)

The dynamics of food systems are undergoing profound change, with an increasing emphasis on sustainability, resilience and ethical considerations. Within this landscape, various agricultural practices have emerged as potential drivers of positive change. However, the intersections and synergies between these practices remain complex and often poorly understood. This call aims to explore the evolving role of agricultural practices in transforming food systems, with a particular focus on the interplay between permaculture, regenerative agriculture, organic farming, among others, and agroecological principles.

The aim of the workshop is to build shared knowledge between the participants, based on a mutual understanding of existing practices, in order to create a common knowledge base that will enable collaboration and synergies that can make sense and improve convergence towards the ecological transition of food systems.

Moderator: Rémi Cluset (FAO)

The aim of this first session will be to clarify the definitions of the various production methods and their compatibility with an agro-ecological transition. This session will address the diversity and controversy surrounding agricultural practices that offer an alternative to so-called ‘conventional’ agriculture, i.e. agriculture that exploits natural resources in compliance with current laws but without making any additional efforts towards natural resources that are under pressure from anthropogenic exploitation, climate change and the globalisation of trade. The contributions may address from the point of view of ontology and epistemology the foundations and principles underlying the practices, governance mechanisms, and approaches in relation to the ecological transition will also be addressed.

  • Stéphane Bellon, Guillaume Ollivier, INRAE, France, What’s the current state of green farming? Logics of diversification and implications for transition..
  • Georgina Catacora, President of the Latin American Agroecology Society (SOCLA), The foundations and challenges of agroecology in South America.
  • Ivanoé Koog, Earthworm Foundation, Switzerland, Regenerative agriculture, a results-oriented approach.

Moderator: Ivanoé Koog (Earthworm Foundation)

In this session, the main theme will be to move from a series of definitions and considerations for modes identified in session 1 to a holistic and systemic vision of coexistence and assemblages between modes of production. Trajectories, changes of scale and the temporal aspects of transition are at the heart of this session. The aim is to discuss how modes of production and the corresponding farming systems are progressing in certain areas and parts of the world. Contributions may propose approaches aimed at identifying criteria for comparison, but also practical and lived experiences of coevolution, hybridisation and virtuous assemblages between the principles/elements of agroecology and various ways of naming practices or products.

  • Juan Pablo Sciurano, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, International Network of Ecoregions (INNER), Argentina – Italy), Ecoregions and the challenge of integrating organic and agroecological approaches for local agrifood development. Insights from Argentinian, Serbian and Italian cases.
  • Marie-Odile Nozières-Petit, François Casabianca, INRAE, France, Are Geographical Indications a laboratory for the agroecological transition? The cases of products from French small ruminants’ productions.
  • Fabiana Thomé Da Cruz, Federal University of Goiás – UFG / Brazil, From the hegemonic food system to the sustainable food systems: backing to the Nature belonging relationship.
  • Kouakou Philipps Kouakou, University Alassane Ouattara & Swiss Scientific Research Center, Ivory Coast, Status of agroecology in Ivory Coast.

Moderator: Pablo Tittonell (Uni-Groningen)

In this session, the principles underpinning current approaches to the agro-ecological transition will be confronted with an exploration or analysis based on conceptual frameworks and metrics that can account for the depth of their contribution to this transition.

  • Bruno Dorin, CIRAD, Agro-industry versus agroecology? Two macroeconomic scenarios for 2050 in Andhra Pradesh, India.
  • Mauricio Azero, Pairumani Model Farm – PATIÑO/Bolivia Foundation, Catholic University of Bolivia, Agroecology for the restoration of degraded agricultural soils: implementation of dynamic agroforestry systems in family production systems in the semi-arid zone of the Andean slopes in Cochabamba, Bolivia
  • Alexander Heer, FiBL, Switzerland, Enhancing Dietary Diversity and Climate Resilience through Agroecological Practices in Chad and Niger
  • Anthony Tchékémian, University of French Polynesia, Agroecology in French Polynesia: a little-supported development, but desired by consumers.

Chaired by Stéphane Bellon (INRAE)

The tools, approaches and philosophy identified in session 3 will then be discussed in the light of the mechanisms for adding value, which can be of several kinds: inclusion in a heritage, conservation through a legal mechanism, public financial support, creation of an image and reputation, attribution of added value by intermediary buyers and end consumers, and so on.

  • Rémi Cluset, FAO-HQ, Evaluating agroecology using a multi-dimensional approach.
  • Mary Crossland, Matthias Geck, CIFOR-ICRAF, TPP, Kenya, Metrics, a project to support Agroecological TRANSITIONS for building resilient and inclusive agricultural and food systems
  • Maurice Tschopp, Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Melanie Brantschen, Sufosec Alliance, Thomas Gass, Sufosec Alliance, Johanna Jacobi, ETH Zurich, Assessing the impact of multiple groups of agroecological practices on moderate and severe food insecurity: analysis of household data from the SUFOSEC alliance.
  • Maryline Darmaun, CIFOR-ICRAF, TPP, Assessing a diversity of agroecosystems undergoing an agroecological transition. Results of the use of a co-designed assessment method in four use situations in France and in Senegal.

Workshop conclusion: Pablo Tittonell (Uni-Groningen)

WORKSHOP 3: CONTRIBUTION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND PASTORALISM IN A TERRITORIAL APPROACH TO AGRO-ECOLOGY (ENGLISH ONLY)

Marcelo Champredonde (INTA), Philippe Jeanneaux (VetAgroSup), Jean-Louis Le Guerroué (Uni-Brazilia), Madeleine Kaufmann (OFAG), Ivana Mardesić (FAO)

The aim of this workshop is to discuss the contributions of agroecology principles to livestock production systems. The aim is to discuss various aspects:

  • Cultural and community aspects: Exploration of cultural and community aspects of livestock management. Recognition of the historical link between certain breeds and local cultures. Noting the impact of industrialisation on the loss of traditional knowledge and practices.
  • Challenges for scientific adaptation: Concerns about the limitations of the scientific community in adapting to the changing needs of agricultural systems. Emphasis on the need for a broader perspective that takes account of factors beyond measurable parameters. One example is the principles guiding the mobilisation of knowledge to guide choices in animal genetics. Selection criteria will be addressed in the light of agro-ecology principles, by positioning the choices to be made in terms of breed adaptation beyond factors such as growth rate and yield.
  • The role of politics and economics: Discussion of the impact of politics and economic pressures on farming practices, particularly in South America, using Brazil and Argentina as examples.
  • Sociological and symbolic dimensions: Recognition of sociological and symbolic dimensions, including the representation of genetics in local cultures and the significance of aesthetic criteria in breeding. Sociological, economic and political aspects impacting on the transition to sustainable and agro-ecological practices.

Moderated by: Adelaida Farfán (FAO-NSA), Hui Yin (FAO-GIAHS).

  • Ivana Mardesić, FAO, Adelaida Farfán, FAO, AniTerrAE general presentation, including case studies (Brazil and Bhutan).
  • Pascal Bérion, Louis Meyer, Université de Franche-Comté, France, Agroecology, territorial sustainability and PDO cheeses: discussions on the Comté and Jura massif cheese sectors, France.
  • Antoinette Bernard, AgroParisTech, France, Assessing the contribution of a territorial marker, the Protected Designation of Origin, to the agro-ecological transition of territories: Case study of the Valais Raclette PDO sector in Switzerland
  • Marcelo Champredonde, Noelia Pezzutti, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Argentina, Evaluation of fattening systems in the Argentine Pampas, TAPE Tool, Argentina.
  • Caroline Ruto, FAO, Animals in Territories for Agroecology: Contribution of differentiation approaches to sustainable and resilient food systems: Case study of the application of the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation to the Maasai Pastoralist Heritage System in Kenya.

Moderated by: Marcelo Champredonde (INTA), Jean-Louis Le Guerroué (Uni-Brazilia)

  • Marcelo Champredonde, INTA, Argentina, Maria Rosa Lanari, INTA, Argentina, François Casabianca, Origin for Sustainability, Switzerland, Daniel Maizon, INTA, Argentina, Martin Narbaitz, Centro Argentino de Biotecnología Anima, Argentina, Guillermo De Nava, Genetista Privado, Salto, Uruguay, Re-localisation of bovine genetics in the promotion of sustainable and healthy food systems: the case of the southwestern Pampa.
  • Jean-Louis Le Guerroué, University of Brazilia, Brazil, Evaluation of agroecological transition in several dairy farming systems with differentiation approaches (TAPE), Brazil.
  • Gaël Bohnert, CRESAT, Université de Haute Alsace / France, The role of livestock farming in the adaptation trajectories of cereal and wine growers in the Upper Rhine (France, Germany, Switzerland).
  • David Drevon, Pierre Cornu, Marie-Odile Nozières-Petit, INRAE, France, Seasonality as a vector for agro-ecological transition? The case of Fin Gras du Mézenc.

Moderators: Philippe Jeanneaux (VetAgroSup), Isabella Maglietti Smith (Origin for Sustainability)

  • Aymen Frija, ICARDA/Tunisia; Irène Carpentier, ICARDA-CIRAD/Tunisia, Julio Postigo, Indiana University/USA; Véronique Alary, CIRAD-ICARDA/France, How does pastoralism contribute to agroecological transitions in desert regions? Assessing and explaining different transition pathways of pastoral systems towards agroecology in southern Tunisia.
  • Diego Benavides, Proyecto Biocarbono Orinoquia de Colombia, Marcelo Champredonde, INTA, Denomination of origin of Siete Cueros cheese: a proposal for sustainability in Colombia’s Orinoco region.
  • Veronica Massawe, Swissaid, TAPE Evaluation Tanzania 2023: An evaluation of CROPS4HD Project beneficiaries on their agroecological transition and multidimensional performance in the frame of SWISSAID’s thematic evaluation on agroecology 2023
  • Chris Magero, IUCN, Identification of the pathways of material and institutional dependence in the evolution of livestock.

Moderators: Madeleine Kaufmann (OFAG), Ivana Mardesić (FAO)

  • Nancy Bourgeois, HAFL, Switzerland, The role of livestock farming in the transition of food systems.
  • Pierre Pujos, livestock farmer in south-west France, Livestock farming to regenerate degraded cereal soils.
  • Irène Carpentier, CIRAD, Can agroecology support a just transition to more sustainable pastoralist production systems?
  • Pablo Manzano, researcher for the Basque Center for Climate Change BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change Klima Aldaketa Ikergai, Spain, Ecological and political consequences of the diversity of farming methods.
    • Abstract
WORKSHOP 4: NOURISHING THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION BY EXPLORING LOCAL DYNAMICS AND NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS (ENGLISH AND FRENCH) - SESSION 2B IN FRENCH ONLY - SESSION 3B IN ENGLISH ONLY

François Casabianca (ORIGIN), Claire Bernard-Mongin (CIRAD), Paul Donadieu (ETH), Dimitris Goussios (Uni-Thessaly), Cassiano Luminati (Polo Poschiavo), Emilia Schmitt (UNIL).

The global call for sustainable agricultural practices has triggered a shift towards agro-ecological transition, underlining the need for localised and territory-based approaches. This workshop aims to explore the complex dynamics of agroecological transition within specific territories, focusing on facilitating processes, developing soft skills and overcoming systemic barriers. By exploring these themes in greater depth, we hope to foster a better understanding of how to navigate effectively and accelerate the transition to more resilient and sustainable food systems. The objectives of the workshop are:

  • Discuss the role of local facilitators in promoting agro-ecological transition processes. Explore the skills needed to facilitate successful transitions.
  • Analyse the factors influencing the success of territorial facilitators and the importance of historical knowledge and ancestral wisdom in the face of current uncertainties.
  • Discuss strategies for breaking down systemic barriers within the agri-food system and promoting collective mobilisation and collaboration.
  • Intermediation as a process: exploring the role of local facilitators in driving agro-ecological transition (building intentionality and legitimacy, modes of commitment in driving change, recomposing collective visions, long vs. short term).
  • Intermediation as practice: examining the skills and competencies required for effective facilitation (contextualisation, reflexivity, performativity)
  • New intermediation tools: from digital to serious games, what opportunities or challenges?

Moderated by Cassiano Luminati (Polo Poschiavo) and Paul Donadieu de Lavit (ETHZ)

 

  • Lise Landrin, Patrick Botazzi, Uni Berne, Switzerland, Agroecology on stage: theater as a technical device for intermediating knowledge.
  • Pierre Le Gall, Claire Delfosse, University of Lyon, France, An agroecological transition at risk? The case of PDO products in Bresse.
  • Julie Mandresilahatra, FUNIL, Multistakeholder territorial cooperation for the development of agroecology on a regional scale: the example of the implementation of Agroecological Development Plans in rice-fish farming areas in Madagascar
  • Emilie Cremin, UNIL, Beyond preconceived positionalities in transdisciplinary research: ‘Inhabitant interviewers’ incubating agroecological transitions in the Indian Sundarbans Delta
  • Agroecological transition processes and epistemic authority: what mechanisms are used to select legitimate and relevant knowledge?
  • Recognising the value of historical knowledge and ancestral wisdom in shaping agro-ecological practices.
  • Discuss ways of integrating traditional knowledge into modern agro-ecological transitions.

Session 2a: Moderated by: Theodosia Anthopoulou (Uni Panteon) and Dimitra Gaki (Uni Thessalia)

  • Pradeep Mehta, UNDP, India, Learning from the indigenous food systems of the Himalayas.
  • Patrick Bottazzi, Lise Landrin, Joan Bastide, University of Bern – CREATES / Senegal, (Re)territorializing food systems towards agroecology: reflexive and practical issues based on transformative research in Senegal.
  • Raphaël Belmin, CIRAD, Senegal, Supporting the resilience and self-determination of threatened agroecological territories. The case of the Basse Casamance region in Senegal.
  • Kamar Habli, ISARA, VetAgroSup, France, Territorial dynamics in the Dombes region: Contribution of a collective project to promote Dombes carp fish in communal catering industry.

Session 2b: Moderated by Andrea Mathez (UNIL) (in French only)

  • Zakaria Kadiri, Hassan II University, Agroecology, a production method on the fringes of public policy in Morocco.
  • Marc Breviglier, Lucia Bordone, Hind Ftouhi, David Goeury, Mohamed Mouskite, Geneva School of Social Work – HETS-GE, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Switzerland and Morocco, Success stories: sources of perseverance and discouragement in the implementation of the agroecological transition in southern Morocco.
  • Round table: “Silent” expressions of hope-Supporting the transition to an agro-ecological present and future in Morocco.
  • Exploring the societal dimensions of the agro-ecological transition beyond the agricultural sector, by mobilising local citizens.
  • Addressing the challenges of engaging diverse stakeholders and fostering inclusive transition processes.

Session 3a – Moderated by Dimitris Goussios (Uni Thessalia) and Paul Donadieu (ETH Zurich)

  • Aubéline Bellom, PACTE, France, Analyzing the levers of an agroecological transition on a local scale: contribution of territorial ecology and application in the Quint valley, Drôme.
  • Luisa Salieri, Salma Loudiyi, VetAgroSup, France, Cooperative agricultural projects: from the territorial conditions of emergence to the means of transforming the local agri-food system.
  • Juan Pablo Sciurano, INTA, Argentina, Introduction of the first Biodistrict in Serbia for upscaling agroecological and organic practices. Case study of Kolubara Region.
  • Emmanuelle Corratti, Université d’Auvergne, Between hybridization and culture clash, what contribution can ‘back to the land’ make to the dynamics of agro-ecological transition in territories? Investigation in the Pyrenees, Massif Central and Thessaly.

Session 3b – Moderated by François Casabianca (Origin for Sustainability) and Theodosia Anthopoulou (Uni Panteon) (in English only)

  • Veronica Soto Pimentel, Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, Argentina, Protests, knowledge and agroecological social movements of Argentina (2019-2023).
  • Jovana Dikovic, CCRS, HEG-Fribourg, Switzerland, Prudent resilience of farmers.
  • Juliana Cajiao, Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation – AGROSASVIA / Colombia, Ecosystem services and dis-services in the agricultural landscapes of the Andean Amazonian piedmont in the department of Meta, Colombia: Case study CBB infestation in relation to landscape structure, farm features and agricultural management practices in Uribe, Meta.

  • Identify barriers within the agri-food system and strategies for overcoming them.
  • Discuss the cultural, institutional and psychological factors that influence the dynamics of transition.

Moderated by François Casabianca (Origin for Sustainability) and Claire Bernard-Mongin (CIRAD)

  • Javier Sanz Cañada, Spanish Research Council, Spain, Barriers to the upscaling of sustainable food. The case of Spain
  • Armelle Mazé, Virginie Baritaux, Mathilde Geay-Galitre, Etienne Polge, Marie-Odile Nozières-Petit, INRAE, France, The potential role of Geographical Indications in agroecological transitions: extending the IAD/SES framework
  • Roberta Centonze, Universidad de Halle, Alemania, Pluralismo jurídico y enfoques agroecológicos del uso de la tierra.
WORKSHOP 5: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS FOR AN INCLUSIVE AGRO-ECOLOGY - THE RIGHT TO FOOD, SOCIAL SECURITY FOR FOOD, ACCESS TO LAND

Co-organisers: Gaëlle Bigler (Agroecologyworks!), Christophe Golay (Geneva Academy & IHEID), Alessandra Roversi (SDC), Marco Trentin (consultant).

By recognising and respecting the fundamental rights associated with inclusive citizen agro-ecology, we can create more just, sustainable and resilient food systems. This workshop aims to inspire collective action to advance these essential rights and build a better food future for all. Citizen and inclusive agroecology is based on the principles of sustainability, social justice and respect for the fundamental rights of individuals and groups. In this workshop, we will explore the essential rights that underpin a truly inclusive agroecology. We will focus in particular on the right to food and the fundamental rights linked to social security of food and access to land.

We are inviting contributions on the themes defined in the objectives, from researchers and experts as well as from people involved in citizen initiatives on the 5 continents. The contributions will be presented in a short 10′ format, to allow time for discussion between the panellists and the workshop participants. A final declaration will be drawn up, conveying the findings, expectations and vision through one or more powerful messages to the community of NGOs and state agencies in charge of these fundamental themes for a transition towards sustainable food systems based on the principles and elements of agroecology. The objectives of the workshop are as follows:

  • Understand the fundamental rights linked to citizen and inclusive agroecology.
  • Explore the current challenges linked to these rights and possible solutions.
  • Encourage citizen participation in the promotion and protection of these rights.
  • The obligations of States and stakeholders to guarantee this right.
  • Obstacles to the effective exercise of the right to food and the groups most affected.
  • Initiatives and good practices to promote access to adequate and nutritious food for all.
  • Christophe Golay, Académie de Genève & IHEID, Swiss perspective, The right to food in the constitution of the canton of Geneva.
  • Lilli Balogh, President of Agroecology Europe: European perspective.
  • Alessandra Roversi, SDC: International perspective.

Joint with workshop 6, which presents the report ‘The unfair price of our food’ by Le Basic L’injuste prix de notre alimentation | Secours Catholique – Caritas France (secours-catholique.org)

Moderator: Bérémy Otto, Head of the Food and Ecological Transition Programme in France

  • Understanding the fundamental rights linked to the social security of food.
  • Identify the limits of current policies and programmes aimed at strengthening food security, social protection, safety nets and early warning systems.
  • Emphasise the importance of empowering communities to ensure their own food security. Initiatives and best practices for implementing social food security.
  • Alberto Silva, Uniterre (farmers’ union, member of Via Campesina), Social food insurance (Swiss adaptation of the idea of social food security).
  • Marie Brault, Caisse alimentation Genève. Pilot project for neighbourhood food purchasing groups and diagnosis of small-scale farming.
  • –Gaëlle Bigler, Agroecologyworks ! Local fair trade and solidarity.
  • Deirdre (Dee) Woods, Landworkers’ Alliance, Work at the crossroads of agroecology, food sovereignty, human rights, politics, decolonial research, community, cultural practices and spirituality. Opening discussion on cultural rights, decolonial rights and women’s rights.
  • Emilie Crémin, UNIL, Governance of land under Shrimp farming in the coastal area of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta.
  • Gaëlle Bigler, Agroecologyworks, ‘Feeding diversity’ project

Conclusion and preparation of feedback for the final plenary session

WORKSHOP 6: FAIR AND JUST FOOD SYSTEMS: TRANSPARENCY WITHIN THE FOOD SYSTEM AND THE TRUE COST OF FOOD (ENGLISH ONLY)

Dominique Barjolle (UNIL), Veronica Petrencu (UNIL-EPFL) Rolf Arnold (UniBern), Philippe Baret (UCLouvain), Inès Burrus (Equal-Profit), Matthieu Calame (FPH), Nadia El-Hage (Arizona State University)

Food systems play an essential role in the development of human health, environmental sustainability and social justice. However, current food systems often lack transparency, obscuring the real cost of food, which includes not only its production cost and margins, but also its environmental, social and health impacts, which are externalities not taken into account in the current economic system.

To establish justice within the food system, another dimension is transparency on costs and margins at the different levels of the supply chain, which is the basis for confidence in markets where fair prices remunerate the different players, without market power relationships leading to distortions in the distribution of value.

This workshop aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration to better understand the challenges and opportunities related to transparency within food systems and the concept of the true cost of food. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to identify innovative strategies and policies to promote equity, justice and sustainability within our food systems.

We are seeking contributions on the following topics, among others: quantifying the true cost of food production, distribution and consumption; assessing and monetising the environmental impacts of different food production systems, as well as the social and health impacts of food systems, including issues of access to food, equity and nutrition; identifying barriers and opportunities for implementing food policies and practices that promote market transparency and fairness in trade transactions. Case studies and empirical research on innovative approaches to improve transparency and take into account the real cost of food are welcome.

The sessions focus on the following themes:

Debating a framework for understanding the different concepts and levels of disaggregation for calculating the true costs of food, considering the objectives that guide the methodological choices for using real food accounting.

Moderator: Veronica Petrencu (E4S University of Lausanne)

  • Philippe Baret, Diana Borniotto, University Catholic of Louvain, Belgium, Lost in calculation – Why do we calculate? Choice of indicators and transition issues.
  • Jean-Pierre Ghobril, Unisante, True cost accounting for food: Glossary
  • William Addey, Université de Franche-Comté, How health definitions percolate through One Health.
  • Isa Cakir, CCRS, HEG Fribourg, On the Fair Valuation of Food by Means of an Insurance Model.

Looking at examples and experiments carried out at company level with a view to understanding how decision-makers make use of true cost data, and how this information is interpreted and used by consumers in their food choices and purchasing decisions.

The link will be made with the use of data produced by calculations that can be made to account for the social costs that public policies choose to assume on a national scale, for example.

Moderated by: Nadia El Hage (Consultant)

  • Kathleen A. Merrigan, The Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, Arizona State University; USA, Adoption of True Cost Accounting as a strategy for food policy reform.
  • Christophe Alliot, Tristan Dissaux, Le BASIC, The unfair price of our food, the cost to society and the planet? 
  • Diane Borniotto, Philippe Baret,UCLouvain, The French case of the hidden costs of pesticides 
  • Miro Durini, Julia Hauri, Gwendal Laffranchini, Melody Song Jia Le, Rebecca Weber, ETH Zurich, True Cost Accounting of Food: Assessing the Impacts of Pesticide and Policy in Switzerland.

Looking at examples and experiments carried out at company level with a view to understanding how decision-makers make use of true cost data, and how this information is interpreted and used by consumers in their food choices and purchasing decisions. Questions about how consumers use products are reflected in hidden costs, and this aspect will be discussed.

Moderated by: Dominique Barjolle (University of Lausanne)

  • Ashley Young & Pauline Rouchon, BFH-HAFL for Fribourg Agri&Food, The influence of the presence of price transparency and fairness information on consumer purchasing decisions. Experimental results.
  • Thomas Brunner, HAFL, Kate Dassesse, Barbara Franco Lucas, Joachim Marti, Anna Nicolet, UNISANTE, Consumer’s perceptions and sensitivities towards true cost of food: Evidence from literature review and a pilot survey conducted in Switzerland.
  • Gino Baudry, Agathe Crosnier, Marie-Clémence Breuillot, EPFL, Switzerland, Laurence Jeangros, E4S UNIL, A bite from true cost accounting for food: the case of bread & wine

Participatory panel with several representatives of civil society, participating farmers, food entrepreneurs, politicians and people interested in implementation.

Moderated by Philippe Baret (UC-Louvain) and Inès Burrus (EqualProfit)

  • Anna Beerli, Federal Office for Agriculture
  • Tim Crosby, Impact Investor at Thread Fund
  • Johanna Herrigel, BIOVISION
  • Mariella Meyer, WWF
  • Alessa Perotti, food sustainability consultant
  • Bruno Romand-Monnier, Director Monitor Deloitte
WORKSHOP 7: LOCAL SOURCING FOR HEALTHY FOOD IN URBAN AND PERI-URBAN FOOD SYSTEMS (ENGLISH ONLY)

Florence Tartanac (FAO), Martijn Sonnevelt (WFSC ETH), Gabrielle Kesso van Zutphen-Küffer (Sight & Life), Helen Prytherch (SwissTPH), Céline Rozenblat (UNIL)

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to highlight and deepen our understanding of agroecology as a basis for local and sustainable food provision, essential for improving diets in urban contexts. We look forward to your valuable contributions as we explore the potential of agroecology to transform urban food systems, the crucial importance of which is on the agenda of the high-level panel of experts to the FAO Committee on Food Security, which will issue its report on this subject in mid-2024.

Faced with increasing urbanisation and the associated challenges, including food security, access to healthy diets and environmental sustainability, agroecology is emerging as a promising solution. It offers a route to local and sustainable food production, capable of supporting healthy and environmentally friendly diets in urban areas. This call for papers aims to bring together research, case studies, analyses and reflections on the role of agroecology in promoting a local and sustainable food supply in cities, thus contributing to improving the diet of city dwellers. Local supply could come from urban agriculture as well as from the regions around cities, as it is recognised that urban agriculture is not able to provide enough food for the urban population.

Moderator: Martjin Sonnevelt (ETH)

  • Mortahina Rashid, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Bangladesh, Helen Prytherch, Swiss TPH, Switzerland, Multisectoral governance for sustainable urban food systems in secondary cities in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa – Presentation of the multigovernance platform in Bangladesh.
  • Suwilanji Sinyangwe, The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) / South Africa, Cultivating Resilience: A Tailored Agroecology Framework for Enhancing Urban Food Sovereignty in African Metropolises.
  • Sophia Demekas, ETH, Switzerland, Evaluating double-duty actions in Rwanda’s secondary cities.

Exploration of agroecological principles adapted to the urban context and their practical applications for sustainable food production – Case studies on the successful implementation of agroecological practices in urban agriculture projects and urban regions, and beyond.

Moderator: Florence Tartanac (FAO)

  • Papa Ngore, Diegane Diouf, Université du Sine Saloum, Senegal, Antoine Lemaitre, Hervé Lévite, FAO, Italy, Analysis of the urban and peri-urban agricultural system of the city of Kaffrine (Senegal) using the methodology of the Observatoire des Agricultures du monde and hypotheses for collective actions to be carried out by young people as part of the FAO’s Green Cities program.
  • Alexander Heer, FiBL, Switzerland, Enhancing Dietary Diversity and Climate Resilience through Agroecological Practices in Chad and Niger.
  • Charles Nwokoro, ETHZ, Switzerland, Agroecological practices and interventions: insights from a survey of farmers in six secondary towns in Bangladesh, Kenya and Rwanda.

Impact of agroecology on food security and nutrition in cities: Analyses of the contribution of agroecology to improving access to fresh, local and nutritious food in urban areas – Assessment of the impact of agroecological initiatives on food diversity and public health in urban areas.

Moderators: Cristina Laurenti (FiBL), Helen Prytherch (Swiss TPH)

  • Thomas Kuiper, BioVision, Switzerland, Listening to the experiences of consumers and market vendors in Arusha’s urban food system (Tanzania).
  • John Kiwalago, Slow Food Uganda, John Kariuki, Slow Food Kenya, Mavester Akson, Slow Food Malawi, The role of agroecological farmers’ markets in enhancing access to healthy and affordable food among urban and peri-urban populations in East and South Africa: A Case of the slow food earth markets in Kenya, Uganda and Malawi.
  • Marcello Vicovaro, FAO, Italy, Mapping territorial markets in urban setting.

Identification of the main obstacles to the adoption of agroecology for supplying urban areas and proposed solutions – Prospects for the future development of agroecology as a pillar for better nutrition in sustainable urban food systems.

Moderated by: Florence Tartanac (FAO), Kesso van Zutphen-Küffer (Sight and Life Foundation)

  • Clelia Maria Puzzo, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Itzel Inti Maria Donati, Department of Architecture and Design Landscape and Environment Sapienza, University of Rome, Filiberto Altobelli, Council of Research in Agriculture and Analysis of Agricultural Economics, Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bio-Economy, José-María García-Alvarez-Coque, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Community involvement and citizen participation in a historical agroecological peri-urban area. Introduction of a case study using the Institutional Analysis and Development framework (IAD): the agricultural heritage system of L’Horta de València.
  • Straton Habumugisha, Sight and Life, Rwanda, Agroecology initiatives to close gaps in building sustainable urban food systems, Learnings from Nutrition in city ecosystems (NICE) in Rwanda
  • Kushal Poudel, ISARA, France, Dario Valarezo, Origin for Sustainability, Switzerland, Adoption of circular economy in the coffee sector and improvement of food security and nutrition in Rusizi, Rwanda.
  • Moshfequel Talukder, Sustainable Agriculture Bangladesh Foundation, Promoting agroecological farming practices for a better nutrition – lessons from NICE project in Bangladesh.
This project is possible thanks to the cooperation of the following organisations and institutions
Co-organisers