Research, Innovation and Education Working Group
Objectives
1. To support, in conjunction with the implementation working group of the Coalition, the realisation of the CFS, HLPE (2019) agroecological principle on co-creation and sharing of knowledge, through reconfiguration of agricultural and food research, rural advisory and education systems in countries that have joined the coalition and globally, so that universal agroecological principles can be applied in support of local innovation. This involves doing research differently[1], following a transdisciplinary[2] paradigm with all that this implies, including grounding agroecological science in agroecological practice and social movements, embracing all stakeholders, including farmers and civil society organisations, and their knowledge.
2. To be a trusted and authoritative curator of knowledge regarding scientific evidence underpinning agroecological transitions. This will involve periodic review of key topics to collate available evidence, make recommendations on the basis of what is known and identify priorities for further research.
3. To work with the policy working group of the Coalition to bring scientific evidence to bear on policy formulation and implementation related to agroecological transitions. This would represent the science-policy interface of the Coalition.
4. To track implementation of the CFS policy recommendations on agroecological and other innovative approaches in countries that have joined the coalition and globally.
5. To develop and share effective methods for implementing transdisciplinary research to generate new knowledge and experience related to agroecological transition.
6. To develop and endorse co-learning training and educational resources that can be used in schools, colleges, training institutions and universities to develop capacity to transform food systems through agroecology.
7. To provide a platform for Coalition members to operate agroecological research coherently as a whole rather than as a series of fragmented parts.
Outputs
- Development of a Tracking Tool for the CFS Policy Recommendations on Agroecology, in collaboration with the Policy Working Group of the Agroecology Coalition
- Organization of a series of high-level science-policy events to advocate for transdisciplinary and transformative agroecological research, including but not limited to key sessions at: the UNGA 78 Science Summit in New York City, the VIII Wallace Conference in Costa Rica, the 4th Global Conference of the Sustainable Food System Programme in Viet Nam, the 1st Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference
- Repository of educational programs focusing on agroecology developed under the subgroup on education.
Co-Facilitators
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