RELOAD team presents at 11th IFSA Symposium, Berlin

PhD student Maria J. Restrepo Rodriguez (SP7) presented a paper on “Collaborative learning for fostering change in complex situations” at the 11th European IFSA Symposium, April 1-4, Berlin.

This contribution had been jointly prepared by scientists of SP3 and SP7. It conceptualizes food and farming systems as human activity systems. Learning of and among actors is a key element to promote change.Collaborative learning is presented as an experiential and transformative learning process involving four steps: (1) Identifying stakeholders and establishing cooperation, followed by (2) initiating a process of dialogue, (3) discovery of new options and solutions, and (4) application of new knowledge and change of practice. This model is then applied to assess process and outcomes of the other research contributions presented in the same section of the IFSA symposium (Workshop 1.7). The conclusion is that collaborative learning increases action possibilities, for example by enhancing the actors’ problem-solving capacities, and promotes agency by establishing networks and building social and human capital. Collaboration between stakeholders thus improves the ability to respond, adapt and intentionally transform in relation to complex problems to be solved in contemporary food and farming systems.

View the presentation >>here