Science for Food Systems Transformation in a Conflict Area The current upsurge in violence and conflict in the Sahel is the
manifestation of a broader and deeper ecological, economic and political crisis within as well as outside the sub Region with an impact on the Sahel. The
EU refers to a situation of multiple crises and to its
regional, cross-border nature, which makes it more challenging. The
new EU strategy for the Sahel emphasises the need for a more comprehensive and contextual approach to addressing regional instability. It underscores the EU’s commitment to addressing the root causes of conflict and instability through an integrated approach. It also cautions for approaches that are sometimes based on inconclusive data, or formulated without available data, and that can result in inappropriate responses.
To address the numerous and interconnected challenges, a comprehensive multi-disciplinary analysis and synthesis at multiple scales is required as a basis for effective interventions. However, at this moment national and regional research capacity, funding and infrastructure are very scattered and fragile. Research (and thus knowledge) is fragmented into small, short-term projects that prevent national research institutions from building new long-term multi-disciplinary research capacity, programmes and infrastructure and updating existing capacity. Policymakers and development agencies lack access to quality research findings for different target groups or lack possibilities to create such that provide evidence for their intervention portfolio. Therefore, substantial investment in context context-relevantg and research is required to connect the dots between high-level research and applied contextualised research in order to generate localized evidence. This
knowledge should feed a true trans-Sahelian and transdisciplinary reflection making it possible to seek avenues for a more positive trajectory for the region. Dedicated actions are also needed to ensure that such evidence will become the basis for future policies and development programmes.
The session will discuss how we can
jointly develop a Centre of multi-disciplinary training and research in Food Systems Transformation in a Fragile Zone. This Centre would be a regional hub for data, science, innovation and lifelong learning dedicated to Sahelian challenges and opportunities. A virtual focal point where researchers, policymakers, private sector, CSOs and development practitioners can easily obtain and co-create relevant information on transformation pathways.
Speakers will be from the Sahel research community, Sahel Coalition, Club du Sahel, EC, Wageningen University & Research and other.
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