Examining the intersection of capitalism, agriculture, food, land, power and privilege in the food system
Why do food researchers and activists need to understand capitalism? To fully appreciate the magnitude of challenges we face in transforming the global food system - and what will be needed to bring about a new one in harmony with people's needs and the environment - we need to explore the economic and political context of our food system. How are modern food and agricultural crises rooted in capitalism? What leverage does the food system have to bring about the transformational changes we need in our society and the global economy?
Date: 24 October 2018
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Seminar room 275, Global Change Institute (#20), St Lucia campus
Tickets/registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seminar-why-every-foodie-needs-to-understand-capitalism-tickets-49021235836
About the Presenter
Eric Holt-Giménez, PhD, is an agroecologist, political economist, lecturer and author. As the current Executive Director of Food First, Eric’s work both informs and amplifies the voices of social movements fighting for food justice, sovereignty and food systems transformation across the globe. Food First generates research and education for action, and their frontline publishing approach brings researchers, writers, and social movements together in a collective effort to bring the perspective of community-based struggles to broader development and policy debates. As a lecturer, Eric has given yearly courses in international development, agroecology, social movements and food systems transformation at the University of California, Boston University, the University of Gastronomic Sciences, Pollenzo (Slow Food) and the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia. In Eric’s words, “successful social movements are formed by integrating activism with livelihoods. These integrated movements create the sustained social pressure that produces political will—the key to changing the financial, governmental and market structures that presently work against sustainability.” This presentation draws on Eric’s newest book, A Foodies Guide to Capitalism: Understanding the Political Economy of What We Eat.
Presented by: The School of Social Science in collaboration with QUT, Brisbane Fair Food Alliance & Food Connect.