Cairo, September 12th, 2019: Prof. Dr. Mohamed Soliman, Representative of the Egyptian Minister of Agriculture and President of the Agricultural Research Center, Uwe Gehlen Head of German Development Cooperation in Egypt, Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren, Founder of the Biovision Foundation, Helmy Abouleish, Heliopolis University Chairman of the Board of Trustees and CEO of SEKEM Initiative, Dr. Auma Obama, World Future Councilor and Founder and Director of the Sauti Kuu Foundation and members of the World Future Council convene in Heliopolis University to discuss mainstreaming agroecology and organic agriculture.
The World Future Council and Heliopolis University gather renowned award-winning speakers, decision makers, and international experts who will showcase impactful solutions for scaling up agroecology from Africa and beyond. These solutions enhance fertile landscapes and improve farmers’ incomes. The winning policies of the Future Policy Award 2018 from India, Ecuador, and Senegal will be presented.
In addition, the event will highlight recipients of the “Outstanding Practices in Agroecology 2019” recognition – practices that empower small-scale food producers, nurture sustainable food production systems and promote resilient agricultural practices that help maintain ecosystems and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change.
Among the recipients of this recognition is the Farmer-managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) technique. This technique was developed by the Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo in Niger who received for his work the Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize) in 2018. Also, SEKEM Initiative in Egypt received this recognition as a leading social business worldwide. It reclaimed hundreds of hectares of desert land using biodynamic agriculture methods and its products respect highest possible ethical, ecological and social standards. Helmy Abouleish, SEKEM’s CEO will present their experience.
Solutions showcased at the event demonstrate that agroecology plays a critical role in transitioning to sustainable food and agriculture systems tackling malnutrition, social injustice, land degradation, water scarcity, climate change, and loss of biodiversity all over the world. If executed at scale, agroecology is creating immediate and real impact on both our life and the life of future generations. Scientists and experts call to go 100% for agroecology and organic agriculture, in order to secure drinking water and food for all, ensuring a sustainable future.
The Future Policy Award
The Future Policy Award is the first and only award that celebrates policies for the benefit of present and future generations on an international level. The Award is designed to alert policymakers and the public to the importance of best practice in lawmaking and highlight outstanding examples of regulatory vision. Celebrating visionary policies, it raises public awareness, encourages rapid learning and speeds up policy action towards just, sustainable and peaceful societies. In partnership with FAO and IFOAM – Organics International, the 2018 Future Policy Award highlighted policies that scale up agroecology to contribute to the protection of life and livelihoods of small-scale food producers, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement climate resilient agricultural practices.
Future Policy Award 2018
Outstanding Practices in Agroecology 2019
The recognition “Outstanding Practices in Agroecology 2019” highlighted practices that empower small-scale food producers, nurture sustainable food production systems and promote resilient agricultural practices that help maintain ecosystems and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change. Organized by the World Future Council in collaboration with the Startup Technology for Agroecology in the Global South (TAGS), the recognition raised global awareness for these exemplary practices and speed up action towards just, sustainable and peaceful societies. In 2019, Outstanding Practices in Agroecology were prominently presented on the occasion of International Green Week and the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin, Germany.
The Outstanding Practices in Agroecology 2019
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About the Organizers
The World Future Council
The World Future Council (WFC) works to pass on a healthy planet and fair societies to our children and grandchildren. To achieve this, we focus on identifying and spreading effective, future-just policy solutions and promote their implementation worldwide. Jakob von Uexkull, the Founder of the Alternative Nobel Prize, launched the World Future Council in 2007. We are an independent, non-profit organization under German law and finance our activities from donations.
The World Future Council
Heliopolis University
Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development is a part of SEKEM Initiative that was founded in 1977 in order to strengthen Sustainable Development in Egypt by a holistic concept that integrates ecology, economy and society. SEKEM has been widely praised as “Egyptian organic pioneer” and has received the 2003 Right Livelihood Award (“Alternative Nobel Prize”) as a “Business Model for the 21th Century”. In 2012 Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development has been opened under the umbrella of SEKEM Initiative in order to provide holistic higher education and promote young social entrepreneurs for a sustainable future.
Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development