GEN In Conversation Series

We are delighted to share with you that, with your support, we have held ten GEN in Conversation sessions and interactive workshops. Collectively almost 500 people registered for the events from 39 different countries, from all continents of the globe. It has been wonderful to connect such a wide variety of people and hear their voices. You can find out more, including the recommended reading and resource lists and recordings, on the dedicated web pages.

Feedback from attendees was humbling,

The speakers were amazing as was the mediation. The theme is so necessary, speaking and building collective intelligence over it, very inspiring also seeing the shared challenges and perceptions although the diversity of locations. (Participant from Northeast Brazil, Webinar Feedback: Weaving land, life and justice within, through and beyond colonisation)

The journey itself was a rich experience to the senses. It transported me through the narrative, the sounds, the smells, the flavours and the textures. It was beautifully crafted and carefully developed, it has been a very powerful experience for me and the way I perceive and reflect about food and history. (Participant from Mexico, Workshop Feedback: The Food Journey)

The thoughtfulness and consideration of the matter; two voices offering reflection and counterpointing one another’s view; well facilitated. Participant from Wales, Webinar Feedback: Communicating in Times of Polarity

We received such positive feedback that we have decided to continue the series into 2021. In future GEN in Conversations we will be considering the themes of regenerative economies, women in leadership and transforming fear into action.

If you’d like to support our work further please visit our GlobalGiving campaign to Support 100 Global Emerging Environmental Leaders. If you give a monthly donation and sign up this week (until 18th December at 23:59:59 ET) GlobalGiving will double your first donation (we will receive the bonus after four monthly donations). If you are considering donating - now is the time!

We opened What does food mean to me, you, us? with Ma'at a Nkemi sharing her rap, it’s so impactful we’d like to share it with you.

Soil Rap Part Three: The Small (Ever in Progress)

See, I’m growing up; I am a child, here on this Earth/my birth to now Makes me just thirteen/ But there have been/ so many things that I have seen Not all of them I have written down But they always stay with me In my heart/ Of which soil is, of course, the queen./ Listen,  The soil was created for different things/ Not just for the benefit of human beings/ We feel as though the Earth is only for us /But others they don’t even make a fuss/

We hardly recognise/what is right in front of our eyes/ We talk of her as if she’s something to despise/ugh, but that’s all lies. /Deep, dark mother called soil/ Always open, always silent, always still/ Nile overflow, Ganges overspill /Creating as you go, fertilising as you will/ Trodden upon/pierced by forks/cut by spades Prodded, poked and pierced/burnt by harsh sun rays Massaged by the tiniest of hands and feet and/ Ingested and worked through by the smallest guts/ Transformed by fungi in many ways/ Sand to silt/ silt to clay/always in flux.  Soil in my hands/dirt at my knees/ You have embraced life and held still bodies/ Dirt is a lie/ Soil is the Truth The greatest story ever you tell at the root/the greatest story ever you tell at the root/ The greatest story ever you tell at the, tell at the root.

Ma'at's full essay and rap is available here: EverydayExperts: How people's knowledge can transform the Food System, Chapter 15, Soil and me.