Agrinatura General Assembly and Conference 2024: Connecting Universities, Research Institutions, and Partners for Agri-Food Systems Transformation
On 14-15.5.2024, the Coordination Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, and the University of Helsinki's Department of Agricultural Sciences hosted the Agrinatura General Assembly and Conference in Helsinki. UniPID moderated a session on advancing research and innovation for food systems transformation in Europe and Africa, supported by the Horizon Europe funded CEA-FIRST project where UniPID leads stakeholder engagement in two work packages.
The Agrinatura General Assembly and Conference 2024, held in the city of Helsinki, aimed to forge stronger connections among universities, research institutions, and partners dedicated to transforming agricultural food systems. This two-day event served as a platform for discussing potential collaborations to enhance Agrinatura's impact on food systems policies and sectors. Agrinatura, as a European Alliance on Agricultural knowledge for Development and a network of 35 research institutions and universities, has collaborative relationship with UniPID. Furthermore, UniPID's role in advancing research and innovation for food systems transformation in Europe and Africa further exemplifies the strong partnership between these organizations.
The first day of the conference began with a warm welcome from the President of Agrinatura, who emphasized the organization's pivotal role in addressing global challenges through research and education. Key highlights included various presentations, discussions on membership matters, and strategic visions for agricultural food system transformation. Attendees engaged in meaningful dialogue, shared experiences, and planned future collaborations to drive impactful change in the agricultural sector. Discussions on the second day focused on the science-knowledge interface, the challenge of institutionalizing policy interfaces, and the critical role of public engagement in agricultural decision-making. The collaboration between national governments and EU delegations for successful projects was a central topic, underscoring the need for Agrinatura to lead in integrating and effectively coordinating initiatives. The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing, sustainability, and international collaboration in agricultural and forestry research and education.
The CEA-FIRST session at the conference concentrated on establishing the AU-EU International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture through the Consortium Europe-Africa (CEA). The IRC aims to bridge the gap between research and innovation groups in Africa and Europe, fostering science-led growth through collaboration on shared goals to improve research and innovation impacts. The CEA-FIRST project addresses the fragmented nature of current research efforts by creating effective strategies for the IRC, consolidating past successes, and testing essential services such as governance structures and knowledge platforms.
UniPID stands to gain significantly from the IRC, including assistance for member universities in finding and pooling research funds, better access to resources for joint projects, opportunities for learning and skill-building through workshops, networking possibilities with other researchers and institutions, and support in crafting research proposals aligned with available funding. The IRC enhances the effectiveness of collaborative research, promoting sustainable agriculture and providing a valuable platform for UniPID members seeking impactful research projects.
The feedback from participants at the Agrinatura conference was positive. Researchers, industry experts, and stakeholders appreciated the engaging sessions and valuable insights shared. Constructive feedback highlighted areas for improvement and development within the project, guiding future initiatives and enhancing the impact of collaborative efforts in agricultural research and innovation.
The Agrinatura General Assembly and Conference 2024 underscored the crucial importance of connecting universities, research institutions, and partners for agri-food systems transformation. The event showcased the significance of collaborative efforts in driving meaningful change and fostering sustainable solutions within the agricultural sector. The CEA-FIRST session highlighted the power of collaboration through the International Research Consortium (IRC) to enhance research and innovation impacts between Africa and Europe. Looking ahead, the continued partnership between Agrinatura, UniPID, and other stakeholders promises further advancements in agricultural research, capacity building, and partnership development for a more sustainable future in agri-food systems transformation.
Photo credits: Kane Reinholdtsen, 2016 on UnSplash
