Feeding the Billions: Challenges and Innovation in Food and Water Security

About

In this course you examine a range of approaches towards food and water security, from international policy agreements to community-based activities.
Course description

There are 8.0 billion people to feed today, and this number is expected to increase to about 10 billion by 2050. More food is needed, and more food means more water for crops and livestock to grow.

This course is evidence-based and addresses food and water challenges and innovative interventions from various disciplinary perspectives and socio-cultural contexts, using real-life examples. Interactive theoretical lecture sessions are alternated with debates, group work and a field visit. Students will benefit from discussions with their peers from different disciplinary backgrounds and countries of origin. At least five of the following topics will be covered:

• Drivers of food and water security

• Food systems and trans-disciplinary research

• Water management in flood-prone areas and water-scarce areas

• Food (and water) prices and food economics

• Innovative interventions to feed the world more sustainably

We bring practice to the classroom by using real-life examples from the Netherlands and from projects in Africa and Southeast Asia. Assessment is based on student participation in an in-class debate and a group presentation.

Course leader

C.F.A. van Wesenbeeck

Target group

This course is suitable for students from various disciplinary background (natural or social sciences, psychology, health science) with interest in trans- and interdisciplinary approaches to research and problem-solving.

Course aim

After successfully completing this course, students will:
Have a broad understanding of the concept of FNS. - Be able to identify, calculate and interpret basic indicators for FNS and judge their relevance;
Be familiar with and understand the challenges to achieve FNS;
Be familiar with and understand the challenges posed by FNS failure for societies and individuals;
Be familiar with and understand the rationale for possible interventions to improve FNS.

Fee info

Students, PhD candidates and employees of VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC or an Aurora Network Partner €765 Students and PhD candidates at partner universities of VU Amsterdam €1035 Students and PhD candidates at non-partner universities of VU Amsterdam €1140 Professionals €1360