28-30 September, 2010

Van Nelle Fabriek and Domina Hotel, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The Need and the Opportunity
In 2007, the United Nations announced that half the world's population now lives in urban areas. These metropoles depend on a globalised food system that has separated agriculture from metropolitan space, also increasing their vulnerability to economic and environmental crises. Technological advances in storage and transportation allow food to be produced far away from where it is consumed resulting in a growing "mental gap" between food "on-the-plate" and the production of food.

Consumption patterns are changing. Some populations want more protein, others healthier food and the demand for cheap food keeps growing mostly due to widespread poverty, thus creating problems in terms of food safety and food security.

These and other accelerating trends produce agriculture and food systems that are fragile, hostile to the environment, and encounter growing societal opposition.

Using the lens of crisis, we tend to focus only on parts of the system-and make little or no progress in addressing the real issues. But when viewed through the lens of possibility and opportunity it becomes clear that agriculture and cities have a lot to offer each other in becoming more sustainable.

Can these trends offer new beginnings? How can we take systemic action and alleviate the problems once and for all?

Be part of this groundbreaking and innovative approach that lets cities harness the potential that agriculture and food systems can provide for sustainable development. Come to the global Summit and join with practitioners who are grappling with these issues daily.

What can you add to the resiliency and rigor of what's currently being done? What new insights can you offer? What can you take back to your own work? Come see for yourself.

More information can be found on: http://www.metropolitanagriculture.com/cities/thesummit/