2010 - 2023

To transform food systems we need to look beyond the problem’s symptoms, and even systems patterns and structures, at what fundamentally drives the systems. Consciousness and mental models are increasingly recognized as the key to unlock systems change, and regenerative agriculture calls for regenerative mindsets and cultures. This session presents an innovative approach to transforming food systems through the cultivation of inner capacities – our individual and collective awareness, mindsets, beliefs, values, worldviews, and associated…

The session will explore the impact of false climate solutions - net zero, nature based solutions and carbon removals - on food sovereignty. The scale of agricultural land, forests and ecosystems necessary to fulfil the demand for carbon offset credits is vast and will unleash a new impetus for enclosures and land grabbing. The false legitimacy given to agribusiness from greenwashing will allow them to expand their operations and gain access to new revenue streams…

Although the media do not always tell us, we live in a time of multiple wars and conflicts. Globally, wars are causing food, energy and health emergencies and thousands of people are fleeing for refuge. This situation requires extraordinary measures to feed populations, but also efforts to rebuild food sovereignty in every country and region. We hear that there is a food crisis because food is lacking and prices are soaring, while new technologies and…

Healing Grounds: Climate, Justice, and the Deep Roots of Regenerative Farming, Liz Carlisle’s newest book, is more than a book about farming - it is a reckoning of the rotten roots of a food system built on genocide and slavery. Despite this history and all of the ills that come from it, the promises of regenerative farming have sparked hope for many - from farmers to government officials. In recent years, popular press and documentary-films…

This is one of three sessions today in which you will have the opportunity to hear directly from young people around the world about the challenges they face in regards to toxic contamination, climate change, access to land and the lack of ineffective leadership. In this session, we will hear from young people from France, Canada, Haiti, Pakistan and the US who are motivated to transform the food system for all those who will bear…

 The industrial food system contributes over one third of global emissions. Without a fundamental restructuring of fossil fuel-dependent, global trade-based food systems, real climate resilience is unattainable. In this session, we will hear from grassroots advocates about how they advance agroecology with governments as a climate resilience strategy. Also from frontline advocacy networks about their experiences at the recent COP 27 climate deliberations in Egypt. What did they learn about how to focus attention on…

The Guarantee Flower System was created by the Seed Guardians Network in Ecuador in 2012 as a simple, visual and informative version that supports producers and makes visible their progress on the path of ecological and socially fair production. It deals with eight aspects of productive entrepreneurship, and actively involves the community in its management. In this session, we will present this innovative system and hear the responses of representatives and experts on other global…

This lively and engaging session will bring together researchers and advocates taking on the agrochemical industry. We’ll hear from contributors to the Pesticide Atlas about the state of pesticide use around the world, from journalists who will share how industry uses PR tactics to deflect attention and action on this critical issue, and from campaigners who are using creative strategies to reduce the political influence of industry, promote agroecological solutions, and expose the harm of…

Supported by the clear objectives of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture and Food (ITPGRFA), and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP), African Farmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) are increasingly being recognised, valued and brought into policy discussions. In this panel discussion, AFSA members will share the threats of current seed policies, how farmers’ rights are being implemented using international instruments, and alternative seed laws to strengthen biodiversity…