Next Offered: July 27 - August 31 (2018)
Course Registration: Agroecology for Sustainable Communities
Offered in Consortium with:
Course Registration: Agroecology for Sustainable Communities
Offered in Consortium with:
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Course Description
Agroecology has a broad scope and includes many different meanings. The term has been used to describe an interdisciplinary scientific field, to characterize a set of farming practices, and to name convergent social initiatives. In this course we will identify their common root (the agroecological lens) and learn how to use it as a transformative tool for social and environmental justice. The agroecological lens will be used to reflect step by step, traversing perspectives from a narrow scope (the field) to the broadest level (the food system). Throughout this process, diverse themes ranging from soil care to food sovereignty will be explored. Case studies from initiatives around the globe will be used to inspire enhanced understanding of the actions and perspectives necessary to successfully develop one’s own agroecological project. Successful stories with positive effects can radiate their energy and contribute to the improvement of society beyond their locality.
Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
Course Reviews:
"Understanding that agroecology is a new cross-sectoral science, a practice and a movement was pivotal for me, particularly the incorporation of the social justice and food sovereignty movements. It enabled me to find a home, under one umbrella, for all that our NGO is trying to achieve with our project. This has simplified our planning processes and made sense of a complex array of inputs. The course material and the instructors' guidance and thoughtful and knowledgeable feedback led me to resources that have enriched my knowledge and I discovered important resource material and information that I didn't know I needed to know! I highly recommend this course to all who are involved with food security; it gives a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead." - Helen Burton, Elemental Africa (South Africa)
"Thank-you for the opportunity to be part of this informative course. It made realise that I had a lot more to learn and understand about the concept of agro-ecology as it truly is a ‘knowledge-intensive’ approach. The experiences from other countries brought life to the concept and has made me appreciate that small-scale farmers in other parts of the world are actively pursuing their right to healthy food through agro-ecology despite the challenges they face. It was an excellent course which I hope to apply and share the knowledge gathered to the communities that we are working with." - Anele Moyo, UNDP (South Africa)
"This course was a great opportunity to improve my knowledge of agroecological principles and concepts. It gave me a better understanding of what an agroecological system truly means. Course facilitators encouraged discussions and supported critical thinking about food production systems and how agroecological practices can be better integrated to improve food system sustainability. The course helped me reflect on my work with poor communities in Tajikistan and how these communities can benefit from applying agroecological tools to support their livelihoods." - Dr. Tatiana LeGrand, Consultant (Russia/USA)
Course Description
Agroecology has a broad scope and includes many different meanings. The term has been used to describe an interdisciplinary scientific field, to characterize a set of farming practices, and to name convergent social initiatives. In this course we will identify their common root (the agroecological lens) and learn how to use it as a transformative tool for social and environmental justice. The agroecological lens will be used to reflect step by step, traversing perspectives from a narrow scope (the field) to the broadest level (the food system). Throughout this process, diverse themes ranging from soil care to food sovereignty will be explored. Case studies from initiatives around the globe will be used to inspire enhanced understanding of the actions and perspectives necessary to successfully develop one’s own agroecological project. Successful stories with positive effects can radiate their energy and contribute to the improvement of society beyond their locality.
Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Understand the various meanings of agroecology and its specificities in order to address relevant food and farming system issues;
- Jump the gap between theory and action by exploring crucial themes and agroecological approaches;
- Use the ‘agroecological lens’ to critically evaluate the sustainability of current practices both in conventional and alternative systems;
- Link agroecological tools and designs with inspirational real-life situations in order to learn how to apply agroecological principles in daily life.
Course Reviews:
"Understanding that agroecology is a new cross-sectoral science, a practice and a movement was pivotal for me, particularly the incorporation of the social justice and food sovereignty movements. It enabled me to find a home, under one umbrella, for all that our NGO is trying to achieve with our project. This has simplified our planning processes and made sense of a complex array of inputs. The course material and the instructors' guidance and thoughtful and knowledgeable feedback led me to resources that have enriched my knowledge and I discovered important resource material and information that I didn't know I needed to know! I highly recommend this course to all who are involved with food security; it gives a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead." - Helen Burton, Elemental Africa (South Africa)
"Thank-you for the opportunity to be part of this informative course. It made realise that I had a lot more to learn and understand about the concept of agro-ecology as it truly is a ‘knowledge-intensive’ approach. The experiences from other countries brought life to the concept and has made me appreciate that small-scale farmers in other parts of the world are actively pursuing their right to healthy food through agro-ecology despite the challenges they face. It was an excellent course which I hope to apply and share the knowledge gathered to the communities that we are working with." - Anele Moyo, UNDP (South Africa)
"This course was a great opportunity to improve my knowledge of agroecological principles and concepts. It gave me a better understanding of what an agroecological system truly means. Course facilitators encouraged discussions and supported critical thinking about food production systems and how agroecological practices can be better integrated to improve food system sustainability. The course helped me reflect on my work with poor communities in Tajikistan and how these communities can benefit from applying agroecological tools to support their livelihoods." - Dr. Tatiana LeGrand, Consultant (Russia/USA)