Next week, from March 11th to 13th, Leuven, will host a three-day Open Food Conference, on the transition towards sustainable food systems. On Wednesday, March 13th, FIAN will be part of the panel discussion on Food Democracy.

Almudena Garcia Sastra, FIAN EU Policy Officer and member of the EU Food Policy Coalition. Almudena will present a report exploring how the normative content of the right to food could guide an ambitious EU legislative framework for sustainable food systems.

The panel discussion aims to explore the pivotal role of food democracy and the comprehensive approach required to achieve sustainable food systems. Key points of discussion include :

• Implementation of food democracy in the EU : Identifying necessary steps.
• Role of Food Policy Councils in fostering sustainable food systems and resilience at the EU level.
• Potential for a European Food Policy Council : Creating a common platform to unite stakeholders and policymakers, as proposed by the EESC.
• Systemic changes needed in the food supply chain to enhance food democracy in the EU.

Speakers

• Tim Lang, City University London’s Centre for Food Policy
• Almudena Garcia Sastre, FIAN EU and member of the EU Food Policy Coalition
• Harry Dalton, Generation Climate Europe
• Christian Jonet, Liège Food Belt
• Zoe Heuschkel, Representative of the national Network of German Food Policy Councils
• Alexandra Nikolakopoulou, European Commission – Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety– Farm to Fork Strategy unit

Moderated by Piroska Kallay, EESC , Rapporteur of the EESC* opinion

Program

• Introduction and Moderation : Piroska Kallay, EESC member and rapporteur of the opinion ’Towards a European Food Policy Council as a new governance model in the future EU Framework on Sustainable Food Systems.’

• Prof. Tim Lang, Emeritus Professor of Food Policy at City University London’s Centre for Food Policy.

Views from Civil Society Actors :

• Almudena Garcia Sastra, FIAN EU Policy Officer and member of the EU Food Policy Coalition. Almudena will present a report exploring how the normative content of the right to food could guide an ambitious EU legislative framework for sustainable food systems.
• Harry Dalton, Generation Climate Europe.

Concrete Examples of Food Policy Councils :

• Christian Jonet, Liege Foodbelt, providing a concrete example from Belgium.
• Anna Wissmann (or Ms. Zoe Heuschkel), researcher on the FoodE project and member of the board of the Network of Food Policy Councils.

Keynote Reaction : Alexandra Nikolakopoulou, Head of Unit of the Farm to Fork Strategy unit, DG SANTE, European Commission.