HomeTransformations in food systems and agrifood value chains: How do work and employment come into play?
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Published on Monday, November 14, 2022

Abstract

The International Association on Work in Agriculture (IAWA) proposes a webinar to share with you the knowledge and current research on the place of work and employment in value chains’ and food systems’ transformations. The idea is to move forward discussions on the theme, having following key question: how do strategies and mechanisms for value chain and food systems transformations address different work and employment issues? Starting with an overview of the thematic, from scientometric and conceptual points of view, the webinar will bring together experts to present their experience on the subject, from the North and the South, and different contexts and chain designs.

Announcement

Presentation

The transformations in agri-food value chains and food systems, both in the North and in the South and in their North/South articulation, impact and question the dynamics of work and employment in agriculture and throughout the chain. Research on food systems and value chains addresses labor and employment issues in different ways. From a global perspective, it is mainly related to social standards and decent work. From a local perspective, other labor and employment issues are raised.

IAWA invites you to share current knowledge and research on following key question: how do strategies and mechanisms for transforming value chains and food systems address different labor and employment issues.

Programme

  • 1:00-1:05pm Introduction of the Webinar “Transformations in food systems and agrifood value chains: How do work and employment come into play?” Benoit Dedieu, President of the International Association on Work in Agriculture - IAWA
  • 1:05-1:35pm Work and employment within the transformations in value chains and food systems: what has research told us so far? Priscila Duarte Malanski, Sandra Schiavi, State University of Maringá, Brazil

Abstract: Transformations in value chains and food systems have been of great interest of academics and practitioners. Global, upgraded and sustainable are common terms used to express value chains and food systems dynamics in literature. Nevertheless, there are other issues underneath, such as work and employment ones. Our purpose is to present the state of the art on agri-food value chain and its relation to work and employment. From scienciometric analyses on Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo databases, we open the discussion on the role of work and employment within the transformations of value chains and food systems, rising issues such as labor governance through social standards, employment and socioeconomic conditions in rural territories, and gendered labor.

5’ of understanding questions (chat)

  • 1:35-2:00pm Work and jobs in alternative food networks. The case of short food chains in North America. Stevens Azima and Patrick Mundler, Laval University, Quebec

Abstract: Short food supply chains are associated with many social and environmental benefits. However, research on job quality in short food supply chains is rather scarce and raises many questions. Capitalizing on recent empirical studies conducted on the issue in the North American context, we situate the main findings of this research between job creation, but also volunteering and low labor productivity; between alternative discourses, job satisfaction and tolerance for precarious jobs; and finally, between gender-specific benefits and challenges.

5’ of understanding questions (chat)

  • 2:00-2:25pm The adoption of a skills ecosystem approach to transition South Africa’s food system to one which is just and resilient Nicola Jenkin, Pinpoint Sustainability / Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Abstract: South Africa’s food system has many complex systemic challenges, such as actor size (sophisticated commercial to subsistence), a large formal and informal sector, power dynamics, access to and cost of nutritious food, infrastructural issues, food loss and waste, and water and energy insecurity. For the food system to transition to one that is just, resilient and sustainable it requires the appropriate occupations, knowledge and skills to do so. By adopting a skills systems approach, the skills supply and demand dynamics, within a region can ensure place-based implications on work are identified. A couple of regional case studies will be presented.

5’ of understanding questions (chat)

2:25-2:30pm Short Break

  • 2:30-2:55pm Fairer Trade and Decent Work in Agrifood Value Chains: standards, rights and gender, Stephanie Barrientos, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom

Abstract: Commercial pressures from large companies in agrifood global value chains (GVC) have long posed challenges for suppliers and workers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Fairer and ethical trade initiatives aim to promote social standards and decent work in GVC. But the commercial context is rapidly changing through ‘de-globalisation’ and expansion of regional and domestic value chains. This presentation examines the implications for workers, particularly women who often play significant roles, drawing on examples from African horticulture. It asks whether gender equitable decent work is being undermined, or how it could be bolstered.

5’ of understanding questions (chat)

  • 3:00-3:50pm General Discussion: How to go further? What research perspectives?
  • 3:50-4pm Conclusion Sandra Contzen, Bern University of Applied Sciences | BFH School of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences, Switzerland

Registration

Registration Form

Simultaneous translation into French, English, BR Portuguese and Spanish

Event attendance modalities

Full online event


Date(s)

  • Thursday, December 01, 2022

Keywords

  • work, employment, value-chain, agriculture, webinar, travail, emploi, transformation, chaine de valeurs, transformações cadeias de valor sistemas agroalimentares, trabalho, agricultura

Contact(s)

  • Isabelle Avelange
    courriel : isabelle [dot] avelange [at] inrae [dot] fr

Information source

  • Isabelle Avelange
    courriel : isabelle [dot] avelange [at] inrae [dot] fr

License

CC0-1.0 This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.

To cite this announcement

« Transformations in food systems and agrifood value chains: How do work and employment come into play? », Study days, Calenda, Published on Monday, November 14, 2022, https://doi.org/10.58079/19t8

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