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Policy Resources
The UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies recognizes effective, forward-looking policies as a key enabler of transformative change. Supportive policy environments provide adequate resourcing and remove barriers so that place-based and community-led interventions can lead to increased food system sustainability.
The UNESCO Chair Network works alongside policy makers and policy experts at all scales, in Canada and internationally, to explore policy considerations across sectors and provide evidence to shift the narrative and policy action towards an equitable and sustainable food future for all.
Growing Common Ground: Pathways to Advance Agroecology Policy in Canada
The Growing Common Ground report assesses the state of agroecology policy in Canada based on conversations with 20 knowledge-able Canadian experts in agricultural and social policy, including civil society policy advocates, researchers, representatives of farmer organizations, government staff, elected officials, and philanthropic foundations, and is supplemented by relevant sources. The report addresses the challenges (policies, practices, narratives and mindsets) that are currently standing in the way of change, and searches for the opportunities and pathways to un-lock the barriers that are hindering the widespread adoption of agroecology.
Read the full report here.
Lire la version française ici.
Canadian Post COVID-19 Infrastructure Investment
The Building Back Better Post COVID-19 Task Force has published an introductory position paper, three policy briefs, and an ongoing series of policy notes through iPolitics. The publications provided targeted policy considerations on how government infrastructure investment could build a greener, more resilient, and more equitable future in Canada.
Publications:
- Op-Ed: “Now is the time to build sustainable food system resilience”
- Position Paper: “Infrastructure investments for a greener, more resilient and sustainable country: Ideas and considerations for Canadian decision-makers"
- Food Systems: “Now is the time to build sustainable food system resilience”
- Green Infrastructure: “Green infrastructure can revive post COVID-19 world”
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems: “Investing in ecosystems: the cornerstone for sustainable renewal of the Canadian economy”
Global and Territorial Governance
Multilateralism and Good Governance
PhD candidate, Johanna Wilkes, and UNESCO Chair, Alison Blay-Palmer, worked together to write a reflection on the role of multilateralism in good governance. This note reflects on and responds to increasing concerns about the lack of transparency in multistakeholder processes currently used in global governance discussions, and who is included and excluded. It offers three themes (renewed multilateralism, rights-centred frameworks, and the role of science) as entry points to engaging in more transparent and transformative discussions.
Food Systems Summit Independent Dialogue
The Food Systems Summit 2021 Independent Dialogue, “Territorial Governance for Sustainable Food Systems,” co-organized by the UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies and CIRAD, convened participants from across national boundaries, sectors, and industries to produce an Official Feedback Report. The report summarizes main findings and outcomes from the Dialogue, and includes summaries from the breakout rooms on: localisation of food systems, integrated natural resources management, public procurement and inclusive financial investments in food systems, and Leave No One Behind frameworks. These summaries include concrete examples of territorial governance in action, opportunities and challenges identified across sectors and industries, and suggested actions to achieve and progress the role of territorial governance in sustainable food systems.
Review the dialogue summary and official feedback.