Title: How to construct successful projects involving agriculture and consumers to contribute to improved nutrition and food security

Biography:

Christopher Bryant, Professor of University of Montreal & University_of_Guelph, Canada with 50 years of research experience in peri-urban agriculture (France, Canada and other countries) and 26 years research experience in adaptation of agriculture to climate change and variability as well as 30 years’ experience in community development. He was a Professor in Geography, University of Waterloo for 20 years and Professor in Geography, University of Montreal for 24 years. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph, Canada.

Abstract

This workshop will focus on the conditions for successful projects. A conceptual framework will first be presented to act as a guide to the discussions and some examples of successful projects will be presented. These conditions include the roles of government (or not), the contributions of farmers and consumers, the roles of citizens, the roles of different networks (including Alternative Food Networks (AFN)), alternative markets, alternative ways of renting or accessing farmland and buildings, and alternative technologies including agro-ecological technologies.  The workshop will then focus on other examples of peri-urban territories where there are projects being put in place and others where such projects could be put in place and the participants will discuss the conditions for success and how to ensure that these projects turn out to be successful. The examples discussed include the Food Land Belt around Liège in Belgium (successful) and the similar project around Charleroi also in Belgium (not particularly successful) and the Montreal Food System (Système Alimentaire Montrélais (SAM) (successful)). Participants will also discuss and share their perspectives on the evolving Food Land Belts around cities that some of the participants know. Discussions will be organized in discussion groups.