Global Food Security

• Dietary regimes, undernourishment, and different forms of malnutrition in the world.
• Food crises and famines.
• Policies to combat chronic undernourishment.
• The concept of the commons and food.
• Food movements and food sovereignty. 

What is the state of nutrition, undernourishment, and various forms of malnutrition globally and across different regions? How do different interpretations of food crisis lead to different approaches to prevention and intervention? How are policies designed and implemented to eliminate chronic undernourishment? Is the principle of the commons applicable to food? What are the different types of contemporary food movements? Does food sovereignty constitute a possible alternative to the current globalized agri-food system? These are the main questions addressed in this course.

1. The world food and nutrition situation is highly diverse, combining undernourishment, malnutrition, overweight, and obesity. The first objective of this course is for students to master the key concepts used to analyze these food-related situations.

2. What measures should be taken to prevent or address food crises, including famines?The second objective of this course is to understand the evolution of analyses related to these issues.

3. The persistence of chronic undernourishment has prompted many governments to implement policies aimed at combating this issue. The third objective of this course is for students to become familiar with different types of anti-undernourishment policies.

4. Since the 1990s, food movements have multiplied in response to the failures of the agricultural and food systems, with some advocating for food sovereignty. Agrarian movements introduced this concept to challenge FAO’s expansive concept of food security, and to politicize the analysis of food issues. The idea of considering food as a commons remains a subject of debate. The fourth objective of this course is to explore whether food sovereignty and the concept of food as commons could offer an alternative path for agricultural and food development.

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

Ex-cathedra with Power Point, Discussions, Readings. 

The course will be taught in English. 

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

There will be one required reading per week. Course materials, including readings, will be made available on Université Virtuelle.

Support(s) de cours

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Fadia Panosetti

Fadia.Panosetti@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit

Examen écrit

Written exam.

Participation in classroom discussions is also taken into account for the final grade. 
 

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais