Open Webinar

Thursday 3 July, 2025. 13.00 – 15.00 CEST.

Can policy makers drive truly transformative change if they only consider conventional scenarios for the future of agrifood systems?

Achieving sustainable agrifood systems calls for bold, forward-looking thinking and innovative tools that reflect the diversity of territorial realities, respond to systemic complexity, and enable inclusive transitions.

Integrated, biodiverse approaches—particularly agroecology—are critical drivers of this transformation. Agroecology goes beyond technical solutions; it represents a holistic reimagining of how food is produced, distributed, and consumed. It embeds environmental sustainability, social equity, cultural knowledge, and economic resilience into the heart of agrifood system transformation.

Future-oriented thinking is not optional—it is fundamental in the face of pressing, complex challenges. Decision-makers and stakeholders must be equipped to explore a full range of possible futures, including those that challenge conventional models and open new pathways toward equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems.

Foresight approaches can play a pivotal role in enabling this process. By helping stakeholders anticipate change, test assumptions, and co-create visions for the future, foresight provides a dynamic space for inclusive dialogue and strategic visioning. It strengthens the capacity of governments, civil society, researchers, and grassroots actors alike to navigate uncertainty and shape sustainable, just food systems.

Yet, critical questions remain. Are foresight initiatives currently integrating agroecological pathways? Which actors are involved in foresight exercises, and do they represent a variety of experiences, disciplines and viewpoints? What metrics and methods are needed to develop scenarios for inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems? How can foresight approaches evolve to better support transitions towards sustainable agrifood systems?

In response to these questions, FAO, CIRAD, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) launched the project Global Foresight for sustainable agrifood systems through Agroecology in early 2022, to harness foresight approaches at a strategic level to allow sustainable transitions.

Through a multidisciplinary and participatory approach, the initiative has developed transformative tools and country-level processes to support policymakers and practitioners. Notable achievements include:

➢    A comprehensive foresight guidance framework “Foresight for the transformation of agrifood systems through agroecology – Guidance document for decision makers and practitioners”  designed to better integrate biodiverse and equitable approaches like agroecology in foresight in order to expand the range of choices when envisioning pathways to sustainable agrifood systems;

➢    Participatory foresight exercises with real-world impact – Two groundbreaking studies assessing the macroeconomic implications of a full agroecological transition versus the continued intensification of industrial agrifood models. These exercises explore shifts in land use, employment, economic growth, productivity, and income inequality:

• Agroeco2050 India (2019 – 2024) was conducted in Andhra Pradesh, at the request of the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), Department of Agriculture of the Government of Andhra Pradesh in partnership with FAO and CIRAD.
• AgroEco2050 Senegal (2022 - 2024) was conducted in partnership with the government of Senegal; the Bureau d’analyses macroéconomiques de Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA-BAME), FAO, CIRAD and the national network “Dynamique pour une Transition Agroécologique au Sénégal” (DyTAES). 

The event

The online event “Participatory foresight for sustainable agrifood systems through agroecology” is organized by FAO, CIRAD and GIZ (on behalf of BMZ), in close collaboration with Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS,), Department of Agriculture of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India); the Bureau d’analyses macroéconomiques de Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA-BAME); the Agroecology Coalition and the Foresight for Food Initiative. The event will unveil the outcomes, findings, and tools of the Foresight for Agroecology project, setting the stage for transformative action. Bringing together global, national, and regional leaders from the agroecology and foresight communities, this webinar will be a dynamic platform for exchange. Participants will explore how foresight can help co-design concrete pathways for the agroecological transformation of agrifood systems.

Objectives

✅ Present and launch key outcomes of the Foresight for Agroecology project;
✅ Facilitate knowledge exchange between global foresight experts, agroecology practitioners, policymakers, and local stakeholders;
✅ Share actionable pathways to integrate agroecology into foresight processes and foresight into agroecological initiatives at multiple levels.
✅ Foster collaboration between foresight and agroecology communities, linking research with implementation and policy change.
🎯 Call to Action Inspire stakeholders to apply the shared guidance and findings within their respective domains.​

Key audience

🔹 Global policy and decision-makers 
🔹 Agroecology practitioners (farmers, extension workers, agroecology researchers and organizations implementing agroecological programmes).
🔹 Foresight experts, in particular those engaged in sustainable agrifood systems.
🔹 Government agencies, researchers, NGOs; development partners and donors.

Structure and Key Themes

This  interactive webinar will feature high-level discussions, expert panel debates, and audience engagement.

Key themes include:
1️ Global Foresight for Agroecology – Insights from the global guidance, exploring methods, approaches and key recommendations.
2️ National/Regional Case Studies – Deep dives into Andhra Pradesh and Senegal, highlighting unique challenges and transformation strategies.
3️ Moving from Knowledge to Action – Panel discussion on embedding foresight into agroecological transitions at policy, institutional, and grassroots levels.

 AGENDA

The event will be moderated by Anne-Sophie Poisot, Team Leader, Office of Innovation, FAO.

🔗 Register here: https://fao.zoom.us/meeting/register/V7PMALJMTsmFhkSbx3tFOA
📩 Contact us: [email protected]