Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Re: What are the barriers and opportunities for scientists and other knowledge holders to contribute to informing policy for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems?

Question 1

  • Do you have an understanding of how agrifood systems policy is enacted in your country or at the regional or international levels?  I talk about fisheries in Sri Lanka only. Yes, our fisheries policy is prepared with the help of an external country experts and enacted by the government. In regional level there are intergovernmental for example SARC and regional bodies for example IOTC.
  • Are you aware of opportunities to contribute science, evidence and knowledge to policy at national, regional or global levels? Yes, My organization is the research arm of the ministry of fisheries, we contribute to policy by providing science, evidence and knowledge at national, regional and international levels. In addition to that I aware that there are opportunities in universities, institutions, CBOs and INGOS. I attended UNU-FTP fisheries policy and planning, WTO and PEW harmful subsidies in fisheries and IORA blue economy ministerial conference. 
  • What kind of knowledge and evidence is privileged in such processes? Enviromental factors, Economic and social, Indigenous knowledge, ecosystem and resource utilization including patterns.
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the processes you are aware of? Less time span, not represent all stakeholders, lack of knowledge in international development, lack of listen to others' ideas, lack of scientific knowledge and real time data and information and lack of coordination.
  • What opportunities and challenges have you faced for drawing from sustainability science, interdisciplinarity and trans disciplinarity to inform policy? As a scientist I had opportunities in all levels but challenges like lack of financial support, institutional support and political will dominated.

  • How can power asymmetries among stakeholders be taken effectively into account in science-policy processes? Educate them and make aware importance of policies to manage resources in sustainable manner.