INVITATION: Facing the crisis and growing uncertainties, can science and societies reinvent agricultural and food systems to achieve sustainability?

The world is changing rapidly. At a time of increasing global threats including climate change, the scarcity or degradation of resources, and population growth, the current economic crisis has triggered unpredictable short-term consequences but could also offer new opportunities in the long term. Agriculture and the food sector face an uncertain future, especially in some regions of the globe, and technical and political choices will play a determining role in ensuring the welfare of rural populations and avoiding social exclusion and environmental degradation.
The crisis has led to a situation of rupture, questioning realities that were previously taken for granted. It has revealed the vulnerability of systems and the need for innovation. How can we anticipate better and develop our capacity for resilience? Renewing systems does not only mean defining new solutions, but changing innovation processes and models by creating new bonds between research and society.
Following up an international seminar organized by CIRAD, INRA and ORSTOM in 1993 on “Innovation and Societies: What agricultures? What innovations?”, it is important to critically review changes that have occurred since in innovation systems. This is why we invite researchers from all disciplines, stakeholders and policy makers, from Northern and Southern countries, to reflect upon future choices, to identify new concrete proposals for research agendas and for political action, and to discuss how innovations systems can better achieve sustainability.

HOT TOPICS

1. Innovating to link production and conservation: how to feed the world population and protect the planet at the same time?

2. Questioning social equity: how can innovation reduce the fragility of poor populations and make them members of a sustainable society?

3. Learning and being creative: how can different types of knowledge be combined to create innovation?

4. Acting collectively: what kinds of institutions, policies, and forms of governance can strengthen society’s capacity for resilience?

5. Renewing research models and practices: how can research better fulfil its responsibilities to elaborate innovating solutions in collaboration with society?

Possible fields of application of these hot topics: farming systems, plant breeding, natural resources management, the food sector and food industries, social innovations for rural development, urbanisation and agriculture, knowledge society, innovation policies, etc.

TARGET PUBLIC

Researchers from institutions of Northern and Southern countries and from all disciplines: agronomy, biology, genetics, animal sciences, food processing, sociology, anthropology, economics, management, geography, land planning, ergonomics, modelling, engineering sciences, educational sciences, political sciences, etc.
To contribute to the scientific debate, we also invite stakeholders from all horizons: professional organisations, advisory and support services, development institutions, policy makers, etc.

ORGANISATION

To encourage exchange between life sciences and social sciences, between researchers and stakeholders, and between Northern and Southern countries, the symposium will combine different types of sessions to discuss the five hot topics, with key note lectures, round tables, and parallel thematic or regional workshops.

Working sessions will take place from June 28-30, 2010. On July 1, a field trip will be organised to enable discussions to continue through concrete examples.

Working languages: English, French, Spanish


SIDE EVENTS

On Friday July 2, different side events will be organized by institutions or networks who wish to continue specific discussions or hold their annual meeting. We will give all organizational support to these side events.