The much-anticipated international conference, “Transforming Food Systems through Nordic Sustainable Solutions,” concluded on September 25th, 2024, in Ribe, Denmark. This impactful event brought together stakeholders from across the Nordic region to delve into the critical issues surrounding food system sustainability.
The Conference Agenda: A Multi-Faceted Approach
The conference offered a comprehensive program, promoting a deeper understanding of environmental and social sustainability within the Nordic food system. Key areas of focus included:
- Understanding current challenges: Unsustainable consumption patterns and their impact were explored.
- Building social sustainability: Experts discussed how social equity creates inclusive societies.
- Shifting towards plant-based options: Discussions addressed the transition towards producing and consuming plant-based foods to reduce inequality and ensure long-term societal well-being.
Inspiring Keynotes Set the Stage
The conference kicked off with powerful keynote speeches from esteemed figures:
- Mikkel Willerslev, Headmaster of Ribe School (Denmark): His keynote explored “Schools as catalysts for transitioning to sustainable school food systems,” highlighting the crucial role of education in shaping responsible food choices.
- German Morris, Peace Child Estonia, Youth Representative: Mr. Morris delivered a compelling address on “Youth and Food Systems Transformation: Assessing the Youth Role in food systems transformation,” emphasising the importance of youth engagement in creating a sustainable future.
- Professor Michael Soegaard Joergensen, Aalborg University: Professor Joergensen shared his insights and experiences with “Transition towards production and consumption of plant-based food,” offering valuable perspectives on navigating this shift.
Panel Discussions Spark Dialogue and Action
Engaging in panel discussions fostered lively debates and exchanges of ideas:
- Panel Discussion I: “Youth Engagement and Transforming Food Systems to More Sustainable Ones: Nutritious Eating Habits and the Role of Education” featured representatives from Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Estonia.
- Panel Discussion II, “Towards Sustainable Food Systems – The Nordic Approach: Update of Politics and Climate Change Adaptation, Reduction of Food Loss and Waste,” brought together panellists from across the Nordic region to discuss policy updates and strategies for tackling food system challenges.
Dynamic Workshops for Collaborative Learning
The conference included dynamic workshops that allowed participants to delve deeper into specific topics:
- Workshop 1: Sharing innovation, experiences, and best practices in transforming food systems, facilitated by Susanne Kallanvaara.
- Workshop 2: Development of Youth Statement + Follow-up Project, led by Laura Rajala and Vassili Golikov.
- Workshop 3: Workshop on Green Grown and Composting, led by Karl Héðinn Kristjánsson and Ivan Vasilevskikh.
Looking Forward: Building a More Sustainable Future
The “Transforming Food Systems through Nordic Sustainable Solutions” conference succeeded. The event provided a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and action planning. The Nordic region can create a more sustainable and equitable food system for all by working together.
Stay Connected!
Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for ongoing updates on the conference outcomes and future initiatives.
- Conference materials and a summary of youth discussions here.
- Youth Statement here
- Conference video recording
- Conference pictures
The overall format of the events was rated 9.2 out of 10. Pre-events information and communications were rated 8.8 out of 10. The overall organisation during the events was rated 9.1 out of 10. The overall conference was rated 9.35 out of 10
Conference was supported by Nordic Culture Point
