The International Politics of Just Food System Transformations

The conference will explore pathways toward a just transformation of food systems in today’s changing geopolitical context. While industrialised food systems have improved food availability, they are also key drivers of environmental degradation, inequality, and human rights challenges. Addressing these issues requires systemic change to ensure healthy diets for all, sustainability within planetary boundaries, and socially just livelihoods.

Discussions will focus on:

• Pathways to transformation, including planetary health, diversification and the role of smaller scale producers
• Social foundations of just food system transformations, such as human rights, justice, and inclusive governance
• International dynamics, including trade, digitalisation, finance and EU–Global South relations

Overall, the conference aims to identify how collaboration between researchers and practitioners can be strengthened in the context of current geopolitical tensions and political backlash against sustainability. It aims to initiate a dialogue between these different stakeholders and discuss which questions we need to ask in research and societal debates.

Location:
Helmholtz Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszentren e.V.
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2
10178 Berlin

Please register to take part:
https://eveeno.com/justfoodsystemtransformations
The conference will be held in English. Lunch and coffee will be provided throughout the day. We look forward to your participation.
 
Programme (download it her with additional information about the panelists)

9-9.30 a.m.: Registration and coffee
9.30-9.45 a.m.: Welcome and presentation of workshop programme (Karen Siegel, RIFS)
9.45-11.15 a.m.: Short talks: Why do we need a just food systems transformation? 

• Hermann Lotze-Campen (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, PIK)
• Mireille Remesch (Essen mit Zukunft e.V.)
• Sarah Hackfort (Technopolis Group and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

11.15-11.45 a.m.: coffee break
11.45 a.m.-1 p.m.: debate in House of Commons format
1-2 p.m.: lunch break

2- 3.30 p.m.: Panel debate 
How can we improve collaboration between researchers and practitioners? What is required in the current geopolitical context, given the increasing backlash against sustainability efforts?

Panellists:
•    Doris Fuchs (RIFS)
•    Bettina Rudloff (German Institute for International and Security Affairs, SWP)
•    Merle Kamppeter (Romero Initiative)
•    Lukas Drees (Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE)
•    Nicole Paganini (WEAVE Strategies)
•    Anke Kähler (Atelier Ernährungswende)
Moderation: Karen Siegel (RIFS)

3.30-4.00 p.m.: coffee break
4.00-4.30 p.m.: Closing remarks and farewell by the organizers

The conference is organised in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Essen mit Zukunft e.V. and Romero Initiative (CIR).