Forward Thinkers Webinar: Policies for Sustainable & Healthy Agri-Food Systems

Whilst it is widely acknowledged that we need urgently to transform our food systems to ensure our common future on this planet, too little is known about the countries or states that take fundamental steps towards that aim. On the occasion of World Food Day 2021, the World Future Council and the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific together are organising a timely debate on how exemplary policies drive positive change. This online event is dedicated to discuss impactful policies that scale up agroecology and protect from hazardous chemicals. In particular, it will present award-winning policies from the Indian state of Sikkim, and from Sri Lanka, whose pesticide regulations led to one of the greatest decreases in suicide rates ever achieved in the world.

Speakers:

Mr Helmy Abouleish, Chief Executive Officer of the SEKEM Initiative, Egypt, and Councillor of the World Future Council (Moderator, confirmed)

H.E. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Sri Lanka (invited)

Mr Sundar Anbalagan, Chief Executive Officer of the Sikkim Organic Farming Development Agency, Government of Sikkim, India (confirmed)

Dr. Hans Herren, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Institute, USA, President of Biovision Foundation President of Biovision Foundation, Member of IPES-Food and Councillor of the World Future Council (confirmed)

Ms Kehkashan Basu, Founder and President of the Green Hope Foundation, Canada, and Councillor of the World Future Council (confirmed)

Ms Sarojeni Rengam, Executive Director, Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAP) (confirmed)

Mr Baogen Gu, Senior Agricultural Officer for Pest and Pesticide Management at the Plant Production and Protection Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (confirmed)

Mr Gábor Figeczky, Senior Manager, Global Policy, IFOAM – Organics International (confirmed)