Seminar evaluates food cultures in the fight against hunger

Think about the social, cultural and political dimension of food, nutrition and food systems of traditional peoples. This is the proposal of the International Seminar promoted by the Department of Anthropology (DAN) at UFRN, a unit linked to the Center for Human Sciences, Letters and Arts (CCHLA/UFRN). Between February 29th and March 2nd, the action brings together Brazilian, French, Italian and Portuguese researchers to discuss food cultures in the fight against hunger. Registration can be made via Sigaa, until the opening day of the event.
The Seminar is aimed at students studying Social Sciences, Tourism, History, Geography and Gastronomy – both undergraduate and postgraduate, masters and doctorates. The program takes place at CCHLA/UFRN and at the Family Agriculture Market, located in Lagoa Nova, Natal (RN), with the aim of bringing researchers, consumers and local producers together.
Coordinated by professor Julie Antoinette Cavignac, vice-coordinator of the Department of Anthropology at UFRN, the seminar features academic discussions that involve traditional communities and reflections on the importance of transmitting knowledge that involves food production and consumption.
Lectures, round tables, working groups and conversation circles are part of the program. The objective is to discuss the revaluation of local knowledge related to the traditional uses of territories, which is necessary for the preservation of biomes in partnership with cultural agents. Among the discussions, cultural inclusion and appreciation actions will be proposed to be carried out in historically excluded communities, such as quilombos and indigenous villages.
Julie highlights the importance of holding the event. “The idea is to bring together professors, national and international researchers to think about the importance of food crops in combating hunger”, he explains. The professor also states that traditional food culture is the way to combat inequality, hunger and environmental imbalance.
"We know, from the studies that already exist, that food, local products, are adaptable to biomes and culture. It is culture that will determine which products are nutritious, because it is a secular thing. This is the solution to combat hunger, to combat inequalities and ensure a healthy diet for everyone", he highlights.
In addition to the guests, experts from various areas and different Brazilian institutions participate in the seminar, bringing the active participation of young researchers and postgraduate students in Brazil, France, Italy and Spain. During the seminar program, two sessions will be opened for Working Groups (GT), which will take place online, via Google Meet, aimed at master's and doctoral students. In these groups, topics related to public policies to combat hunger and the culture of traditional peoples will be discussed.
Researchers interested in the event can send a summary of their research or experiences to the working groups. Research abstracts from postgraduate and postgraduate students registered for the seminar will be accepted. To make an oral presentation at the event, the interested party must choose a GT and send a summary of up to 1500 characters (including spaces), accompanied by a title and three to five keywords.
Check out the full schedule at this link.