In 2021, the world will convene for the first-ever UN Food Systems Summit to discuss and kick off a food systems transformation. The food systems of today are malfunctioning, resulting in hunger, malnutrition and overconsumption, as well as severe effects on both the climate and environment. Bold action is needed to transform food systems to become sustainable, resilient and inclusive to help deliver progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
All UN Member States have been invited to hold national Food Systems Summit Dialogues in preparation for the summit. Therefore, the Swedish Development Agency (Sida), the Swedish Ministry for Innovation and Enterprise, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the Swedish International Agriculture Network Initiative (SIANI), invite you to a series of Food Systems Dialogues that will feed into the summit. These dialogues will build on the first Swedish national dialogue in January 2021 and provide global perspectives to Sweden’s preparations.
Under three topics connected to the Food Systems Summit’s action tracks, we will convene to discuss different aspects of the transformation of food systems. How should such a systematic change be achieved? What changes do we need to make to ensure that food systems sustainably provide safe and nutritious food? How do we ensure that the food systems transformation is inclusive and that no one is left behind?
The dialogues are open for people involved or connected to Swedish International Development Cooperation and participation is by invitation. If you have not received an invitation and are interested to participate, please get in touch.
Dialogue 3: Boost nature-positive food production – for people and the planet
May 11, 09:00 – 12:15 CEST
Sweden’s third and final global Food Systems Dialogue will focus on how to achieve increased food security, protection of biodiversity, sustainable food production systems and restoration of degraded areas. What are the trade-offs? And how can we realize the human right to food within the boundaries of the planet?
An inspirational introductory session will be followed by a workshop in line with the official Food Systems Dialogue methodology where participants will have the opportunity to share their knowledge, thoughts and ideas for change in an open and welcoming space.
Speakers:
- Marija Milivojevic, Deputy Director, Secretariat for EU and International Affairs, Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation Sweden
- Ulrika Modeér, Assistant Secretary General UNDP
- Estrella Penunia, Secretary General, Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development
- Emile Frison, Member of International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems, IPES-Food and member of Africa Europe Foundation Agriculture Strategy Group
- Martin Persson, Associate Professor, Chalmers University of Technology and Focali
- Million Belay, General coordinator, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, AFSA
- Richard Bemaronda, Program Manager, Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries Program, CANCO Kenya
- Amy Ickowitz, Team Leader, Sustainable Landscapes & Livelihoods, CIFOR
- Esse Nilsson, Senior Policy Specialist for Agriculture and Food Security, Sida
Moderators:
Maria Ölund, Project Manager, Focali – SIANI, GMV
Anneli Sundin, Communications Officer, AgriFoSe2030, SEI
Dialogue 2: Food security, conflict and resilience
April 29, 09:00 – 12:15 CEST
Sweden’s second global Food Systems Dialogue will specifically focus on the link between conflict and food insecurity as well as the need for stronger resilience building.
Speakers:
- Amir Abdulla, Deputy Executive Director, UN World Food Programme (WFP)
- Georges Bazongo, Director of operations, Tree Aid, Burkina Faso
- Janine Alm Ericson, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
- Line Gordon, Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre
- Kristin Hall, Head of Major Donors & Nutrition for Growth, The Power of Nutrition
- Dan Smith, Director, SIPRI
- Jakob Wernerman, Director Humanitarian Aid, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
Moderator: Katy Harris, Senior Policy Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)
Dialogue 1: Towards equitable food systems
March 29, 09:00 – 12:15 CEST
Read the summary from the event and watch the video of the introduction
The first Swedish global dialogue, Towards Equitable Food Systems, will discuss inequalities in today’s food systems with a special focus on youth and indigenous populations. During the dialogue you will hear interesting perspectives from invited speakers, as well as have the opportunity to share your knowledge, thoughts and ideas for change in an open and welcoming space.
Speakers:
- Rahul Antao, Technical Specialist, Rural Youth and Social Inclusion, IFAD
- Amita Baviskar, Professor of Environmental Studies and Sociology & Anthropology, Ashoka University, Ph.D. Cornell University
- Per Callenberg, State-secretary, Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation
- Carin Jämtin, Director-General, Sida
- Mai Thin Yu Mon, Vice-chair of action track four in the UN Food Systems Summit 2021
- Hanna Sinare, Researcher, Stockholm Resilience Centre
Moderator: Jonathan Eng, Network Coordinator, SIANI