Public agricultural land as a lever for a sustainable future
How can public agricultural land contribute to a farming and food system that is socially just, ecologically sustainable, and economically viable?
Key questions
The food and agricultural transition confronts us with fundamental questions:
- How can we ensure a dignified income for farmers, affordable and healthy food for everyone, and care for soil, biodiversity, and future generations?
- What role can public land – such as church land and social welfare land (OCMW) – play in this search?
- And how can they function as a testing ground for new forms of collaboration, business models, and policy practices?
Connecting different perspectives
During this study day, UCSIA – in collaboration with De Landgenoten, Wervel, IMDO, KU Leuven, and Ecokerk – brings together academics, policymakers, farmers, and civil society organizations to explore these questions from different perspectives.
Throughout the day, philosophical and ethical reflections, socio-policy analyses, and economic system perspectives are linked to practical field experiences.
The aim is not only to reflect on justice, but also to explore how it can take concrete shape in the everyday reality of land use, agriculture, and food supply.
Goals
The study day aims to contribute to a better understanding of what justice means for all actors involved in the agricultural and food transition.
The programme also addresses the tensions between diverse societal objectives and innovative forms of policy.
Finally, we aim to explore creative collaborations and discuss sustainable economic models that link social value with financial viability. The focus is on learning from concrete experiences, with attention to transferability and scalability.
For whom?
This study day is aimed at a broad interdisciplinary audience of academics, students, policymakers, farmers, members of church councils, and engaged professionals active in social organizations or civic initiatives, with an interest in sustainable agriculture, food policy, and social justice.
The Solidarity Academy
This study day is part of UCSIA’s Solidarity Academy.
This broader project brings together researchers, civil society organizations, policymakers, and citizens around one key question: how can we give concrete shape to solidarity today?
Our approach draws not only on theory, but also on field experience. By learning, exchanging, and experimenting together, we aim to develop just solutions to societal challenges – such as the future of agriculture and food.
Want to know more?
Programme
9:00 am
Welcome
9:30 am
Welcome by Erik De Bom, Acting Director of UCSIA
Erik De Bom welcomes you to this colloquium, an event organized by the UCSIA Solidarity Academy
9:40 am
Reassessing the social value of public agricultural land
by Fien Vansevenant (Ghent University / Spark Power)
10:15 am
Case studies
11:00 am
Coffee break
11:30 am
What does justice mean in the agricultural transition? An ethical-philosophical reflection
by Yves Demaeseneer (KU Leuven)
12:15 pm
Case studies
1:00 pm
Lunch
As from 1:30 pm - Inspiration market and networking moment
2:00 pm
Sustainable agricultural business models: creating value in a socio-ecological system
by Elke Rogge, ILVO
3:15 pm
Case studies
4:00 pm
Panel discussion
5:00 pm
