This project trains 25 young Latin American environmental leaders in Cusco, Peru, the site of origin of the potato, in food systems in order to make those systems more resilient, local and equitable. Young leaders will participate in an academy focused on analysis of and deep reflection on these systems, and based on an approach drawing on traditional and contextual knowledge as a source of innovation for human and environmental well-being.
The effects of climate change and human activity challenge global food sustainability. Extensive agricultural production and concentration of production in monocultures affects planetary resources, biodiversity and human well-being: 90% of food energy and protein currently comes from only 15 species of crops and 8 species of animals. This homogenization is accompanied by a loss of traditional and contextual knowledge, a key source of innovation and food security.
The academy will focus attention and learning on the high level of local knowledge related to agroecosystems, and promote innovation to improve the resilience of food systems. We hope to carry out field visits in the Andean region of Cusco, where there is a great diversity of native varieties and domesticated crops. In addition, intensive dialogues and creative approaches will promote peer-to-peer learning among 25 local producers, young Latin American and indigenous leaders.
We hope to strengthen and create resilient food systems, using transdisciplinary networks and collaborations developed during the academy to enhance the innovative power of connoisseurs and local agri-food systems. At the same time, we will reduce the sense of isolation among frontline environmental leaders by developing a sense of shared regional identity to face the challenges of global food security in a contextual and local way.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
