Food for Thought: A Convivial Conversation

Food for Thought: A Convivial Conversation
This café-style conversation will provide an opportunity for concerned citizens to gather in a civic space where they can engage in reflective conversation about various aspects of food and the food system. There will likely be much food for thought!

In these powerful times of global ‘polycrisis’, it is becoming ever more obvious that the food and farming systems in which we participate, whatever their merits, are having adverse effects of people and planet. Given this, should we citizens not be focusing our attention, critically and constructively, on how the food we eat is produced, processed, distributed, procured and prepared?

There is abundant evidence of ways in which our food systems contribute hugely to the planetary climatic and ecological emergencies. And, at the same time, more and more people and families are experiencing food insecurity as cost-of-living crises engendered by interconnected consequences of events such as, war in the Ukraine and the chaotic, inept and inequitable nature of domestic political governance, not least in the UK.

This gathering over a light evening meal will provide an opportunity for concerned citizens to come together in a civic space where they can engage in reflective conversation about various aspects of the food farming systems. There will likely be much food for thought!

The gathering is also intended as a tangible celebration of the convivium. Those participating will also be able to partake of food, ‘breaking bread’ as well ‘making sense’ together.

This event is part of a collaborative exploration of aspects of the food systems, involving the QUB Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA) and the South Belfast Eco-Quaker Group. The convivium will be co-hosted by John Barry, Professor of Green Political Economy and Director of SECA, and Denis Stewart, a member of the International Futures Forum and active participant in the work of the South Belfast Eco-Quakers.