WFS Summer School a success in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Those were the first words read by 25 students and young professionals from 17 different countries that attended our WFS Summer School “Food Systems in Transition,” hosted at the Sustainability Institute in Lynedoch Ecovillage, near Stellenbosch, South Africa. Over the course of two intense weeks (24 June- 08 July), the students followed the food value chain, interacting with key stakeholders and experts at each step of the way. WFSC Executive Director Michelle Grant and Education Manager Jonna Cohen led the group of 40 contributors that held sessions looking at the food system from various angles. Sessions included nutrition and health, food systems and policy in Southern Africa, retail and distribution, food processing, farming and indigenous crops, land and governance, entrepreneurship, climate change, and biodiversity and land use.

The use of a combination of didactic tools, including lectures, workshops, panels, facilitated discussions, field trips, case studies, role-plays, creative work, group work, and community work, was used to empower the students to create appropriate solutions to global challenges. The diversity of the course resonated with the students, with one stating: The WFSC summer school was one of the most diverse and vibrant group of people that I have ever worked alongside. Good food, good people!

Here is just some excerpts about how the course affected the personal and professional development of the participants:

• The course provided a profound insight into understanding the different players in a complex food system.
• It was interesting to appreciate the roles and dynamics of organic farming and to understand the interplay between organic and conventional farming.
• Beyond the food system, having the opportunity to work in South Africa reinforced how unequal our global society is.
• I will be more motivated to use what I learned from this school to follow my dream job.
• The discussion and exchange of ideas with the other participants helped me to realize that [even if] we cannot solve the complex problems of the world, starting small and being enthusiastic about solutions is key.

Thanks again to all our contributors, and we wish our alumni the best of luck as they continue on their journey working in the food system!