Foresight Processes for Food Systems Transformation through Agroecology

5 December 2023. Harnessing Foresight Processes for Food Systems Transformation Through Agroecology co-organized by FAO, CIRAD and GIZ.

In view of this challenges, in 2022, FAO launched a global project entitled “Foresight on Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Food Systems & Agro-Ecological Transition” in close collaboration with CIRAD as a scientific partner and with financial support from GIZ on behalf of the German

BMZ. The project aimed at developing global guidance on the use of foresight processes to support food systems transformations through agroecology. Between 2022 and 2023, a thorough stocktaking exercise on the use of foresight processes to support food systems transformations through agroecology was carried out. It involved diverse expertise, practitioners, and initiatives from the agroecology and foresight communities. 

As a result, a “Guidance Document on the Use of Foresight Processes to Support Food System Transformations through Agroecology” has emerged. The Guidance Document caters to a diverse readership, with two primary audiences in focus. 

1. 
   The first group comprises foresight practitioners—individuals engaged in the strategic analysis of future scenarios and trends within the realm of food systems transformation towards sustainability. For foresight practitioners, this Document aims to answer the question: "How do we do foresight differently to better integrate agroecology to support transformation towards sustainable food systems?". 
2. The second pivotal audience for this Guidance Document comprises agroecology practitioners, who play a vital role in advocating and implementing sustainable and biodiverse practices. For them, this report investigates the questions: "What is foresight, which insights about agroecology do foresight processes provide, and why is it important in supporting sustainable food system transformation through agroecology?"

• Martin Vincent, Director, Office of Innovation, FAO
• Ute Rieckmann, Team Leader, Support of Agroecological transformation processes in India (SuATI), GIZ
• Anne-Sophie Poisot, Assistant-Team Leader, Pest and Pesticide Management Unit, Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO

Overview of “Guidance Document on the Use of Foresight Processes to Support Food System Transformations through Agroecology” + panel discussion

• Marie de Lattre-Gasquet, Senior Researcher, CIRAD 
• Fatma Rostom, Researcher, CIRAD
• Oliver Oliveros, Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition.
• Monika Zurek, Co-lead, Foresight4Food Initiative.
• Bruno Dorin, Senior Researcher, CIRAD
• Marie de Lattre-Gasquet, Senior Researcher, CIRAD
• Sylvain Perret, Director of Department Environment and Societies, CIRAD

Related: 

22 November 2023. GFAR Talks VIII - An agroecological transformation requires a paradigm shift in agri research Organized in collaboration with the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development and moderated by Prof. Sayed Azam-Ali OBE, this GFAR Talks VIII featured two eminent and engaging speakers: Emile A. Frison (Senior Advisor and Ambassador, Agroecology Coalition) and Romano De Vivo (Vice President of Sustainability, Croplife International) unpacking the topic of “An agroecological transformation requires a paradigm shift in agri research”.  

Related: 

7 December 2023. GFAR regularly conducts events to ensure that its members, partners and stakeholders are well-informed on the organization's ongoing endeavors. This e-meeting gave a comprehensive overview of GFAR's recent advancements, such as the introduction of the new engagement platform, the establishment of the Global NARS Consortium and insights into the Collective Actions.