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Justus Wesseler joins expert group for food systems transformation
Social Sciences Professor and chair of the Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group (AEP), Justus Wesseler, was invited as part of the expert group established by the European Commission in Februari 2021. The group will explore the needs, gaps and options to strengthen the international science- policy interface for food systems transformation.
The recommendations of the expert group are meant to both inspire and inform stakeholders on how to strengthen international science-policy interfaces (SPI’s) for improved food systems governance. Food system transformation is needed more than ever as shown by the current food crisis triggered by Russia's war on Ukraine and the challenges linked to climate change.
The institutional changes needed cannot be solved by scientists. Everyone needs to be at the table.
Everyone at the Table
Prof. Wesseler: “Science and scientific institutions such as universities and research institutes have an important role to play. They can develop solutions and innovations for addressing societal needs. The innovations are not the problem. We have a number of great scientific institutions including Wageningen University & Research where new ideas flourish, we need an enabling institutional environment that allows for innovations to succeed. The institutional changes needed cannot be solved by scientists. Everyone needs to be at the table. This for me is the most important message from the report”
The food system has to be seen as being embedded in the wider bioeconomy.
Recommended pathways
The expert group concluded that this transformation must be better supported through more ambitious, interlinked science-policy-society interfaces. The report includes the recommendations and pathways needed, such as multilateral governance, multisectoral task forces, and a network of networks.
“All three pathways are important and they build on each other. Importantly, the food system has to be seen as being embedded in the wider bioeconomy. For better understanding the embeddedness we need better information for decision making. Improving the availability and quality of data for supporting decision making is very important as well as foresight studies illustrating potential implications of policy choices. Capacity building including the education of scientists is important. AEP together with colleagues from Wageningen UR, the Netherlands, Europe, and many other regions has made important contributions in this regard”, Prof. Wesseler remarks.
The experts’ initial findings were presented in July 2021 at the United Nations Food Systems Summit affiliated session, and this final report is meant to further feed into post summit discussions and follow-up actions.