WEBINAR: Research on Agroecology: Current strengths and innovative futures for sustainable food systems

27 October 2021 (14:00-16.00 CEST). Research on Agroecology: Current strengths and innovative

futures for sustainable food systems

The topic of agroecological transformation of agrifood systems and its link to the SDGs was one of the most prevalent at this year’s UN World Food Systems Summit in New York. Clearly, there is a perceived urgency for such transformation to occur.

Divided into three parts, this interactive 2-hour session will help you gain first-hand knowledge of the linkage between sustainable intensification and agroecological transformation.

1. Part 1 will provide an introduction to the Agropolis Dossier released this last September. It will give an overview of the extensive research conducted by more than 500 researchers from over 100 universities and research organizations spread around the globe - illustrating the strong commitment of France and CGIAR to promoting the agroecological transition.
2. Part 2 will address the demand and the need for research in the area of agroecology. It will look at current knowledge gaps, new research questions and the emerging need to conduct research differently.
3. Part 3 will talk about how research in agroecology can provide answers to the current global challenges. Experts overview of a variety of ongoing projects and initiatives in the field, such as the Agroecology Coalition, a Million Voices initiative and many more linked to the Agroecology TPP.

Welcome and introduction Etienne Hainzelin, event’s moderator and Emeritus Research Director, CIRAD 

Part 1 – Introduction of the Agropolis Dossier 

• Bernard Hubert, President, French Committee on International Agricultural Research (CRAI) 
• Stefanie Christmann, Senior Scientist, ICARDA 
• Stephan McMullin, Scientist, CIFOR - ICRAF 
• Muriel Mambrini-Doudet, Research Director, INRAE

Part 2 – A perspective on the need to do research differently 

• H.E. Ambassador Miguel Garcia Winder, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the UN agencies based in Rome 
• Guy Faure EC/INTPA Food Systems and Fisheries
• Alexander Shöning, GIZ [TBC] 
• Million Belay, General Coordinator, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) 
• Rikke Olivera, Senior Global Technical Specialist, IFAD

Part 3 – A perspective on how research can answer global challenges and an overview of ongoing agroecology projects 

• Marcela Quintero, Research Director – Agroecosystems and Sustainable Landscapes, Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) 
• Matthew McCartney, Research Group Leader, IWMI and Co-Lead, OneCGIAR Agroecology Initiative 
• Vincent Gitz, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA), and a member of Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology (TTP) 
• Catherine Dembele, Institute for the Environment and Agriculture (INERA), Burkina Faso