to continue the conversation post Future Food Systems Summit

Date: 9 December 2024 | Time: 10:00-11:30 (Mexico City) 

The Bright Spots project hosted its second online workshop, “Exploring Gender Perspectives in Food Systems: Research, Reflections, and Next Steps.” The session brought together food system actors from across Mexico who are actively engaged in and/or interested in the intersection of gender and food systems. 

Key Workshop Goals

1. Share Results: Present initial findings from food systems visioning in Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico.
2. Reflection and Discussion on Results:: Discuss and gather feedback to inform future phases of the project.
3. Explore Next Steps and Collaborative Opportunities: Present and discuss opportunities for collaboration to advance shared priorities.

Workshop Highlights

• Presentation of Results:
  • The Bright Spots team shared key findings, emphasizing the importance of integrating a gender perspective. This approach highlights the critical role that women and marginalized actors play in sustaining and regenerating food systems.
• Reflection and Discussion:
  • In general participants agreed with the findings and some further spoke on how shared themes reflected their experiences. Key insights included: 
    • Holistic Education: Emphasizing the role of education in raising awareness and fostering a more just and caring society.
    • A gender perspective goes beyond focusing solely on women. It seeks to address the systemic factors driving unequal social relationships.
    • Reflection and awareness are essential steps toward achieving equity.
• Next Steps and Collaborative Opportunities: 
  • Participants explored future directions for the Bright Spots project, including two grant opportunities:
    • Pathways Communication Grant: Designed to creatively communicate the results of visioning workshops and SHOWCASE the sustainability efforts led by participant organizations.
    • Seed Grant from the Foundation for Conservation, Food, and Health: Aimed at strengthening sustainable initiatives already LED by participant organizations.
  • The session concluded with a brainstorming activity where participants highlighted their shared priorities for future collaboration, including: 
    • Advancing educational initiatives targeting youth to raise awareness and foster transformative change.

Next Steps

Organizations have until January 10th to confirm interest in collaborating on the Conservation, Food, and Health Seed Grant. Following confirmation, a working group will be formed to co-design the proposal.

Date: 8 October 2024 | Time: 16:00–18:30 CET

The Bright Spots project hosted its first online workshop, connecting 33 participants from Mexico, India, and Germany. The workshop, live-translated into Hindi and Spanish, explored visions for sustainable food systems and fostered global collaboration.

Key Workshop Goals

1. Share Results: Present initial findings from food systems visioning across six regions in Mexico and India.
2. Reflect and Gather Feedback: Review the research process and incorporate participant input for future phases.
3. Facilitate Exchange: Create opportunities for participants to build knowledge and networks.

Workshop Highlights

• Presentations and Discussions:
  • Results were presented by the Bright Spots team, emphasizing the theme of “revalorizing rurality” for further exploration in upcoming research.
  • A live poll showed strong alignment with presented results, with participants emphasizing the importance of including youth perspectives.
• Topic Discussions:
  • Two focus areas, selected via participant survey:
    • Fostering local food systems
    • Implementation of agroecological practices
  • Insights shared by:
    • Mini Sreenivasan (Milletology, Kerala)
    • Luis Bracamontes (Cooperativa La Imposible, Mexico City)
• Networking Needs: Participants identified networking events as a key action to enhance project impact.