Critical approaches to Global Food Law and Policy
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 and governance’ (reflecting on the range of decisions, actions and factors that influence food-related choices and decision-making at multiple levels).
The course consists of two modules that are part of the programme, and candidates are required to complete both modules.
Module 1: In Antwerp (3-7 February 2025), students will learn from a diversity of academics how to think systemically about interrelations between law, policy and food systems, and the challenges ahead. They will increase their capacity to critically unpack the different visions, narratives and behind the concept of ‘food system transformation’.
Module 2: In Rome (30 June - 4 July 2025), students will familiarise 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.
Teaching staff
The course will feature a series of engaging lectures delivered by our exceptional teaching staff, including:
- Rights based approach - Paola De Meo (Terra Nuova) and Michael Fakhri (University of Oregon Law School and UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food)
- Global Governance - Nora McKeon (CSIPM, Roma 3 and IUC Turin)
- Trade and investments - Tomaso Ferrando (Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp)
- Financialization of food systems - Anna Chadwick (University of Glasgow, Faculty of Law)
- Global Concentration - Jennifer Clapp (Waterloo University, TBC)
- Labor in Food Systems - Vladimir Bogoeski (University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Law)
- UNDROP - Priscilla Claeys (CAWR)
- Public Procurement - Jean Marc Louvin (ICLEI)
- Agro-biodiversity - Christine Frison (University of Liege, Faculty of law)
- Intellectual Property in Food Systems - TBC
Target group
The winter and summer school is designed for undergraduates, masters students and PhD candidates who want to learn more about law and governance of food, but also professionals with a background in food studies and an interest in how global food governance is 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 organizations) is not a prerequisite but an added value.
Campus
The first part of this programme (3-7 February) will take place at Stadscampus (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) of the University of Antwerp. This campus is located in the city centre.
The second part of the programe (30 June - 4 July) will take place in Rome.
Micro-credential and study credits (ECTS)
3 ECTS credits are awarded upon successful completion of the programme in both modules in Antwerp and in Rome. Credits will be awarded by the University of Antwerp on the base of attending the lessons, 100 % (active) participation during the course and group work, and submission and debate of a collective paper.
To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university. 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 familiarize 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 familiarize 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.
