This call for papers offers a unique opportunity to highlight and deepen our understanding of agroecology as a basis for local and sustainable food provision, essential for improving diets in urban contexts. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to explore the potential of agroecology to transform urban food systems, the crucial importance of which is on the agenda of the high-level panel of experts to the FAO Committee on Food Security, which will issue its report on this subject in mid-2024.
Faced with increasing urbanization and the associated challenges, including food security, access to healthy diets and environmental sustainability, agroecology is emerging as a promising solution. It offers a route to local and sustainable food production, capable of supporting healthy and environmentally friendly diets in urban areas. This call for papers aims to bring together research, case studies, analyses and reflections on the role of agroecology in promoting a local and sustainable food supply in cities, thereby contributing to improving the diet of city dwellers. Local supply could come from urban agriculture as well as from the regions around cities, as it is recognized that urban agriculture is not able to provide enough food for the urban population.
The sessions are structured as follows:
- Session 1: Principles and practices of agroecological production and supply for cities: Exploration of agroecological principles adapted to the urban context and their practical applications for sustainable food production - Case studies on the successful implementation of agroecological practices in urban agriculture projects and urban regions.
- Session 2: Impact of agroecology on food security and nutrition in cities: Analyses of the contribution of agroecology to improving access to fresh, local and nutritious food in urban areas - Assessment of the impact of agroecological initiatives on food diversity and public health in urban areas - Discussions on the integration of agroecology into food security and land-use planning policies in urban areas - Examples of synergies between agroecology, short food circuits and local markets in cities.
- Session 3: Challenges and opportunities for agroecological production and supply in cities: Identification of the main obstacles to the adoption of agroecology for supplying urban areas and proposals for solutions - Prospects for the future development of agroecology as a pillar of sustainable urban food systems.
- Session 4: Community involvement and citizen participation: Analysis of the importance of community involvement and citizen participation in the success of agroecological initiatives for cities - Studies on the role of agroecology education and awareness-raising in promoting a sustainable food culture in urban areas.