UNESCO Chair on World Food Systems
Update : 12/13/2023
L'Institut Agro Montpellier, in partnership with Agropolis International member institutions, created a Chair on World Food Systems in the spring of 2011 that has received official recognition from UNESCO.
The aim of the Chair is to increase and disseminate theoretical and empirical knowledge on world food systems (urban areas in particular) and their diversity, dynamics and impact on humans and the environment to facilitate sustainable development. The focus is on: improving the quality of diets, reducing inequalities in accessing food, optimizing production and logistic systems, limiting food waste and recycling waste, territorial-based value chains, food practices, etc.
The Chair relies on a network of researchers and teachers in Montpellier, France and around the world, notably the members of the Chair's governing bodies and in its UNITWIN (University Twining and Networking) network.
Focus
The activities of the Chair are organized around three thematic areas:
- Urban food systems: cities face many sustainable food systems challenges, but also invent new ways of producing, exchanging and consuming. To what extent do these innovations provide solutions?
- Local and citizen initiatives: on the food front, numerous initiatives are emerging. To what extent do they make sense?
- Diversity: Respecting and maintaining the diversity of food systems, without ignoring inequalities, will ensure their resilience.
Activities
Training
Training, in order to extend our network and share our convictions, particularly with today’s youth. The seminar at the start of the university year, open to all, on contemporary food issues, and the master's degree in Innovation and Policies for Sustainable Food (IPAD) offered by Montpellier SupAgro and CIRAD, enables engineers and master graduates to draw together elements of their previous studies, which often are too specialized.
Coordination of research programmes
Coordination of multidisciplinary research programmes, particularly on the theme of urban food systems. Organizing dialogue between scientists and other stakeholders is now reflected in collaborative pilot projects such as the agroecological and food policy of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.
Science-society dialogue
Science-society dialogue is a means of informing public decision-making and orienting research according to the concerns of different actors. This is the purpose of Chair meetings: an annual colloquium organized every year in Montpellier, workshops offered in specialized conferences, and conferences abroad organized with international partners.
The UNESCO Chair on World Food Systems is supported by the Daniel & Nina Carasso Foundation and by the Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation for the Progress of Humankind (FPH).
Place
Chaire UNESCO Alimentations du monde
Pôle Tropiques et Méditerranée
Campus de Lavalette
1101, avenue Agropolis
Montpellier
Contacts
-
Nicolas BRICAS
UNESCO Chair on World Food Systems head
- Chaire UNESCO « Alimentations du monde »
Email : nicolas.bricas@cirad.fr
Website :
Chaire UNESCO Alimentations du Monde -
Damien CONARE
- Chaire UNESCO « Alimentations du monde »
Email : damien.conare@supagro.fr
Website :
Chaire UNESCO Alimentations du Monde
Related websites
L'Institut Agro Montpellier
2 place Pierre Viala
34060 Montpellier - France
Tél. : +33 (0)4 99 61 22 00 Tél. : +33 (0)4 99 61 22 00
Fax : +33 (0)4 99 61 29 00
contact@supagro.fr
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