03/11/2022 - Rome -  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Netherlands' Wageningen University and Research (WUR) discussed communicating and harnessing science in an event during the World Food Forum’s Science and Innovation Forum.

FAO and WUR signed a renewed memorandum of understanding (MoU) in December 2021 to strengthen and accelerate their cooperation.

Part of the event titled FAO and WUR transformative partnership: Communicating and harnessing science effectively was devoted to a discussion titled FAO-WUR new priorities aligned with the 2021 MoU. Sjoukje Heimovaara, President of the Wageningen University and Research Executive Board, and Ambassador Marcel Beukeboom, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to FAO, were among the panellists.

“With concrete collaborations such as this one, FAO and WUR are promoting effective science communication, sharing science- and evidence-based knowledge that has the power to accelerate the transformation of our agrifood systems,” said FAO’s Chief Scientist Ismahane Elouafi.

By signing the agreement, FAO and WUR committed to strengthening capacity building, facilitating knowledge exchanges, and providing resources to advance their common goals. They will enhance dialogue on science, including by developing knowledge and expertise, and harness the foremost science-based evidence on emerging technologies for agrifood systems. 

“Our organizations have a different scope but profoundly share the same missions and important values. This is why FAO and WUR are such powerful partners, together they can make maximum impact, operating from their own strengths and worldwide networks. As partners we work towards sustainable and just food systems for all,” Heimovaara said.

“While we are going through a food systems transformation, different stakeholders need to zoom out, and see the linkages with other disciplines. For this, it is needed to speak and understand each other’s language. FAO and WUR are learning by doing," Beukeboom said.

The event also included a technical panel discussion titled How can science communication facilitate the One Health Approach? A question-and-answer session also took place.

FAO and WUR have a partnership dating back to the 1970s and share common objectives to promote and carry out innovative and sustainable approaches for improving lives while safeguarding natural resources in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.