Rethinking food: From a commodity to a human right
International human rights expert Claire Mason spoke about the right to food at both campuses of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences.
The HSWT started the new year with an important guest lecture at both locations: Claire Mason, lawyer, human rights expert and advisor for the „Right to food“ team of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), gave a lecture on the topic of „Right to Food“. The FAO is the leading international organisation in the fight against hunger and for sustainable food systems.
The two lectures took place on 14 January at the Weihenstephan Campus and on 15 January at the Triesdorf Campus. The event was organised by the University's Centre for International Affairs together with the Master's programmes Regional Management (MRM), Sustainable Regional Development (MRD), Digital Farming (MDF) and Climate Change Management (MCC). The aim was to give students and interested parties an interdisciplinary insight into the global significance of the right to adequate food.
More than just food
The lecture highlighted how human rights principles shape global food policy and what challenges and opportunities arise from this. In her presentation, Claire Mason particularly emphasised that it is not just about giving people food. It is about ensuring that all people are able to access adequate food, sustainably, with dignity and justice. Claire Mason has worked at the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Chile and has been involved in projects with international and non-governmental organisations in America. For over 25 years, she has been instrumental in publications, e-learning tools and policy initiatives.
The right to food is a fundamental human right. Nevertheless, hunger and malnutrition persist - and have even worsened in recent years. Poor population groups are particularly affected, which highlights the growing inequalities between and within countries. Recent crises show the fragility of agricultural and food systems, while the world is at a turning point in terms of climate change and biodiversity loss.
The FAO's sphere of action
The FAO supports states and stakeholders in realising the right to food and thus strengthening food security. With a presence in over 130 countries, the organisation works with local partners, provides a neutral platform for constructive dialogue and delivers data and analysis for policy design and implementation. Measures to realise this right are already being implemented - including constitutional recognition in over 45 countries.
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Representatives of the participating degree programmes and the organizing team together with the speaker (from left to right): Prof. Dr. Simon Walther, Prof. Dr. Sabine Daude, Prof. Dr. Tanja Barton, Claire Mason, Christina Hartmann und Dr. Ilaria Tedesco. © Lea Dinter -
On January 15, there was great interest in Triesdorf in the lecture “Right to Food” by Claire Mason (first row, 2nd from right, next to Prof. Dr. Jennifer Gerend, right). © Barbara Standke
