Global Food Systems – Sovereignty or Trade Rules –or Both
*event will be held in English
Despite a global surplus in food production, hunger and malnutrition remain persistent issues in many parts of the world. This seminar explores the structural causes of global nutritional inequalities, focusing on the complex interplay between climate change, conflict, unstable markets, and unequal power relations in global food systems.
A key theme of the seminar is food sovereignty – the right of people and states to determine their own agricultural and food policies in a democratic and autonomous way. To make this concept more tangible, participants will take part in a field trip to “Die Kooperative”, a community-supported agriculture project in Frankfurt. The visit offers insights into alternative models of food production and distribution that aim to strengthen local structures and reduce global dependencies.
In another workshop, Professor Martin Petrick will lead a session titled “Who Feeds the World? Power, Policy, and the Future of Global Food Systems.” This interactive workshop will explore global dynamics in food production and trade, with a special focus on FairTrade coffee as a case study to examine how power is distributed along international value chains.
A third workshop, conducted by an advisor from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), will address the role of agriculture and trade in development cooperation. It will highlight how agricultural policies and trade strategies are used within development efforts to promote food security worldwide – and the challenges involved.
Throughout the seminar, participants are invited to reflect on their own roles and responsibilities as consumers. How can global food systems become more just and sustainable? What kind of agriculture do we want to support – and who should benefit from it?