Concepts

Theoretical Frameworks

The course introduced participants to different theoretical frameworks that underpin sustainable food planning. These frameworks may include concepts like food system resilience, agroecological urbanism, regional agroecological food systems, food justice and democracy and multi-level governance.

Agroecology includes the application of ecological principles to the study, design and management of agroecosystems that are both productive and natural resource conserving, culturally sensitive, socially just, and economically viable (Altieri and Toledo 2011; Gliessman 2012; Fernandez et al. 2013). Agroecology is the application of ecological science to the study, design, and management of food systems. It also represents a social movement promoting the transition to fair, just, and sovereign food systems (Anderson et al. 2015:3 & Nyéleni Declaration, Mali, 27 February 2015). A practice, a science and a social movement that has been embraced by the international food sovereignty movement through the Declaration of the International Forum for Agroecology (V.E. Méndez, C.M. Bacon, R. Cohen, and S.R. Gliessman, Agroecology: A transdisciplinary, participatory and action-oriented approach)

Approaches and Methods

Various approaches and methods play a vital role in sustainable food planning. Participatory Action Research (PAR) and living labs are some of the participatory approaches that encourage active engagement with stakeholders and communities to co-create solutions. Participants have also explored different analysing methods to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and policies in food planning.

• Participatory action research involves active involvement of people affected by the research in shaping the research process and outcomes. It can be a simple collaboration with a specific community or a formalised approach with multiple stakeholders.
• Living labs are experimental spaces where stakeholders work together to develop and test innovative solutions in real-life conditions. They can range from informal partnerships to complex networks of organisations.

Both approaches prioritise collaboration and engagement, leading to more effective and relevant research and solutions.

Through the cultivation of critical subjectivity, PALAR emphasises the development of self-awareness and an appreciation of the unique agency, identity, emotions, beliefs, and desires of oneself and others. By actively involving all participants in the learning and research process through open dialogue and critical thinking, PALAR creates an inclusive space where diverse perspectives coexist and contribute to the co-creation of knowledge. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of complex issues and supports the development of context-specific solutions, enriching the overall learning experience for everyone involved.