The World Food Forum by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) takes place from 17 to 21 October 2022 with a special focus on “Healthy Diets. Healthy Planet”. The Forum brings together thousands of participants at the FAO headquarters in Rome that discuss food, science and innovation, and investment.
This year the Forum hosts a special guest, the Boaššu Nomad Arctic Indigenous FoodLab. A synergy between state-of-the-art technologies and design and traditional Indigenous knowledge and practices made it possible to create a unique platform that unites nomadic tent, lavvu, and modern kitchen. At the FAO venue, the FoodLab is also an Indigenous platform. Every day more than 50 Indigenous representatives from around the world gather around the fire to discuss the most pressing food-related issues among themselves and with visiting guests such as Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General, and Zitouni Ould-Dada, Deputy Director of FAO Climate and Environment Division.
Simultaneously, Sámi reindeer chefs introduce traditional Arctic reindeer herders’ food cultures and practices by cooking and serving reindeer meat - a rare treat in this part of the world.
Boaššu Nomad Arctic Indigenous FoodLab gives an opportunity to share knowledge and influence the policy debate on the food systems transformation. As stated by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu most of the Indigenous Knowledge “comes from the [Indigenous] agrifood systems and the food culture, the value that FAO should preserve, protect, or even rescue”.
…Indigenous peoples are in my heart and in my soul…
As a FAO DG, during my term, I have to look after you [Indigenous Peoples] - that’s my duty, my love, and my passion!
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu
Source: ICR & ArcticPortal.org