Transforming Food Systems: Aquatic Foods for Nourishing People and Planet
Perspectives in Global Development: Spring 2023 Seminar Series
Distinguished speaker: Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted
Global hunger and malnutrition rates have been increasing, exacerbated by disruptions, including climate change, conflicts and COVID-19. Over the past three years, these disruptions have reversed the progress we have made towards achieving Agenda 2030, especially meeting the targets of SDG 2: Zero Hunger. There is growing recognition, backed by scientific data, on the potential and role of aquatic foods in transforming food systems to nourish people and planet. Aquatic food systems provide food and nutrition security and livelihood opportunities for over three billion people, globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Studies have shown that aquatic foods have lower economic and environmental costs, when compared to land-based foods. A paradigm shift, to diversify and build resilience in aquatic food systems, is necessary to optimize the reach of aquatic foods in nourishing people and planet. This requires strong commitments by food systems enablers, including governments and policymakers, research institutions, the private sector, and local communities.
About the speaker
Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, native of Trinidad and Tobago and a citizen of Denmark, will receive the 2021 World Food Prize for her groundbreaking research, critical insights and landmark innovations in developing holistic, nutrition-sensitive approaches to aquaculture and food systems. By bringing together interdisciplinary and international collaborators, she drove transformations in aquatic food systems to deliver improved nutrition, resilient ecosystems and secure livelihoods for millions of vulnerable people across the globe.
About the seminar series
The Perspectives in Global Development seminars are held Wednesdays from 12:25 – 1:15 p.m. eastern time during the semester. The series will be presented in a hybrid format with some speakers on campus and others appearing via Zoom. All seminars are shown in Emerson 135. Students, faculty and the general public are welcome to attend. The series is co-sponsored by the Department of Global Development, the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the School of Integrative Plant Science as part of courses IARD 6960, NTRES 6960, PLSCS 6960, and AEM 6960.
