Discover how law, policy and governance shape today’s food systems. As part of this international programme, spread across two modules in Antwerp and Rome, participants will learn from leading academics and work directly with UN Rome-Based Agencies on food and agriculture. Gain new perspectives on food system transformation and strengthen your skills in critical analysis, policy debates, and systemic thinking.
This course will contribute to students’ capacity for critical analysis of the complex and multidimensional concept of food systems (considering the interactions among the different phases and actors involved in food provisioning), and of the equally complex phenomenon of food systems law, policy and governance (reflecting on the range of decisions, actions and factors that influence food-related choices and decision-making at multiple levels).
In Antwerp, students will learn from a diversity of academics how to think systemically about the interrelations between law, policy and food systems, and the challenges ahead. They will increase their capacity to critically unpack the different visions, narratives and debates behind the concept of food system transformation.
In Rome, they will familiarise themselves with the work of the UN Rome-Based Agencies dealing with food and agriculture and increase their understanding of what is involved when concepts and theories are put into practice in the form of policy negotiations and field programmes.
The Food System Policy and Law Winter School was an inspiring and rewarding experience. The dedicated organizers created an engaging atmosphere where participants connected with leading experts and exchanged stimulating ideas throughout the course, even during lunch breaks!
Dolunay, from Turkey, participant of the 2025 programme
Discover our previous editions
Target group
The course is designed for undergraduates, master's students and PhD candidates who want to learn more about law and policy of food systems, but also professionals with a background in food-related sectors and an interest in how global food systems are structured and linked with some of the key environmental and social challenges of the contemporary world.
Prerequisites
- General acquaintance with the basic concepts of food systems law and governance, international human rights law, international relations, political economy of food systems
- Holding a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is not mandatory, but will be considered at the time of selection.
- Working/volunteer experience in relevant areas (via public sector, private sector or civil society organisations) is not a prerequisite but an added value.
Campus
The winter module (2 - 6 February 2026) will take place at Stadscampus (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) of the University of Antwerp. This campus is located in the city centre.
The summer module (1 week in June/July 2026 with dates to be announced in January) will take place in Rome.
Micro-credential and study credits (ECTS)
Successful completion of both modules of the programme will award 3 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits will be awarded by the University of Antwerp on the base of attending all the lessons in Antwerp and Rome (unless medical or imperative circumstances arise), the realisation of a group work and a final presentation.
To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university. University of Antwerp students eligible to include the ECTS credits as part of their study programme must register via Mobility Online and SisA.
A certificate will be awarded at the end of the programme. All certificates of completion are issued as a micro-credential.
Learning outcomes
- Students increase their knowledge of law and policy areas that are key to the functioning of contemporary global food systems and the law and policy challenges that arise from them.
- Students learn how to think systemically about law, policy and food.
- Students increase their knowledge of food systems policies and governance, and the different visions and narratives behind the concept of ‘food system transformation’.
- Students familiarise themselves with the work of the UN Rome-based agencies dealing with food and agriculture, such as FAO, IFAD and WFP.
- Students increase their understanding of what is involved when concepts and theories are put into practice in the form of policy negotiations and field programmes, and the formal and informal rules applied to negotiations.
- Students learn about multilateral forums where global food law and policies are discussed, and familiarise themselves with the strong and weak points of intergovernmental multilateralism as practices in the UN system and to confront it with the concept and practice of multistakeholderism.
- Students learn about the most recent international tools and guidelines related to land, agroecology, inequality in food systems, gender, markets and biodiversity and the logic behind them.
- Students strengthen their capacity to work in group and present joint outputs.
- Students reinforce their ability in orally presenting complex and systemic problems.
- Students consolidate their ability to think about concrete and feasible legal and policy interventions based on international human rights law, environmental and climate law, and other relevant frameworks.
