The global food system needs forward looking strategies

The world is facing tremendous changes of an unprecedented scale and pace that deeply influence the lives of billions of people. Climate change, increasing wealth and changing dietary patterns, globalisation of the economy, new technologies, and an energy transition are just some of the key elements. This brings food and agriculture back to the top of the world's economic, political and developmental agendas for at least the coming decade. Forward looking strategies, based upon scientific analysis about future developments and trends will be crucial in providing the basis for informed, timely and effective decision making in the future.
We need a global food system that offers healthy food for everybody without damaging the planet.

A combination of perspectives

We aim to be holistic in our approach and provocative in our activities. To this end, a wide range of views and perspectives on the factors that influence the global food system will be explored through a number of focused fora and interviews with a range of Key Opinion Formers: global leaders in thinking across a diverse range of disciplines relevant to the debate. Their input will be the basis for further dialogue, research and policy development.

Your benefits

The opportunity to learn firsthand about the longer term perspectives and predictions of some key opinion formers and decision makers.
To be in at the start of an in-depth debate addressing the major challenges for food production and consumption.
The opportunity to explore and develop new synergies and partnerships.
Demonstrate that you and your organisation are at the forefront of the movement for the sustainable future of food.
The opportunity to help shape the future direction and pace of debate on the future of food.
To help make a real difference.

Three meetings and a book

Three meetings and a book are the media for knowledge sharing and dialogue:

A first seminar on technology answers to limited natural resources and expanding consumer demands in the global food system, Brussels, 2008.
The second seminar explores the role of the investment sector and retail in making the global food system more sustainable. London, 2010.
The final seminar tries to clarify the effects of economic and political globalisation on the food system, 2011.
Book based on personal interviews with fifteen global opinion formers, 2010.
Identification of follow-up activities that will lead to an ongoing strategic stakeholder dialogue.

Added Value

The added value of this approach lies in our commitment to:

Engage a broad range of experts, decision makers, and top level strategic thinkers from disciplines that are related to the global food system or that have an impact on it.
Explore important influences that shape the global food system from outside, and their interactions and synergies.
Promote open and on-going stakeholder dialogue between governments, the investment and finance community, food-related business, civil society and representatives from science and academia.
Book based on personal interviews with fifteen global opinion formers, 2009.
Focus on a 15 year perspective.