"Food policy in the dock: Why it’s not working and what can be done about it"
Abstract
The imperative for food systems to deliver solutions to poor nutrition, climate change and economic and social development has never been higher. Yet food policy is not proving fit for purpose in delivering these outcomes. Despite an abundance of policy throughout the food system, malnutrition and diet-related ill-health are the world’s leading causes of morbidity and mortality while numerous food-related environmental, economic and social problems remain manifest.
In her talk, Professor Hawkes will suggest how to make food policy fit for purpose in delivering equitable change on the ground, focussing on better diets, nutrition and health. After defining what is meant by “food policy,” she will explore two main ways that food policy could be designed and delivered differently:
By recognising food systems as systems – acknowledging connections, managing trade-offs and create synergies and co-benefits
By taking account of the realities of people’s lives – a people-centred approach to ensure policy works equitably
She will then present ideas of how this could be implemented, focusing on transformations in skills, governance and leadership.
Speaker Bio
Professor Hawkes is Director of the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, UK. She has worked for 20 years with UN agencies, governments, universities and NGOs at the local, national and international level to support the design of more effective policies throughout the food system to improve diets. She is also a Distinguished Fellow at the George Institute for Global Health. Corinna blogs at www.thebetterfoodjourney.com.