Water-Food Nexus: the future of water and food security
| Type | Professional Development, online |
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| Tuition fee | €300 per programme Water-Food Nexus programme foreseen participation fee. Student* – 200 Euro Student: with a current Master or PhD. Professional: employee of a private or public organisation, higher education institution, consultant, agricultural manager, agronomist, food technologist, policy-making roles etc. The fee does not include the cost of your travel expenses for the on-site event. |
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| Entry qualification | Undergraduate diploma (or higher) Applicant should have a bachelor’s degree or have experience in water management and/or in the agri-food sector. |
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| Language requirements | English |
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| More information |
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Overview
Welcome to Water Food Nexus: the Future of Water and Food Security, a comprehensive four-month exploration into the symbiotic relationship between food production and water resources. This course is tailored to professionals and students (with a bachelor’s degree), adding richness and diverse perspectives to the learning environment. The programme delves deeply into the Nexus principles, emphasising fostering food security, effective water management, and overall sustainability. It combines practical, real-world applications and pioneering strategies pertinent across various professional fields. This dynamic setting cultivates a profound understanding of sustainable agriculture, water management, and Nexus concepts. The course ultimately empowers participants with the necessary tools to drive and implement sustainable and circular strategies in their respective fields of work.
Programme structure
Our programme, divided into eight engaging modules, guides learners through the multifaceted world of sustainable food production and water management. Each module unfolds a different aspect of this vast field – from circularity concepts to sustainable agricultural practices, water management and conservation strategies, and innovative water conservation technologies. The course also delves into entrepreneurial thinking for sustainable systems and public and private financing avenues for circularity. The journey includes an onsite event providing a platform for learners to interact with experts and network with peers.
Community Building Let’s start our journey on Water-Food Nexus by building a community of learners connecting with before working together. People who complement, challenge, and support one another make fantastic teams. In the Community Building training, your values will be the chemistry and glue to form a game-changer community on the Water-Food Nexus, sharing the same values and making informed choices about how to innovate.
Online – September 3rd 2024, 15:30 – 18:30 Central European Time (CET)
Module 1. Introduction to the Water-Food Nexus: The Future of Food and Water Security
In this synchronous module, we’ll start with an ice-breaker and then explore the relationship between food production and water management. You will then discuss real-world circularity examples in small groups. The session will culminate with a hands-on case study analysis, identifying system strengths and weaknesses.
Online – September 10th 2024, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 2: System Thinking for Sustainable Food and Water Systems
In this module, you will delve into system thinking for sustainable food and water systems through system mapping in group discussions and stakeholder role-playing exercises. These activities allow learners to share innovative ideas, discuss challenges, and propose solutions. An interactive presentation by guest speakers experienced in food systems will enrich the learning process. The module concludes with a reflection session where learners identify actionable steps to promote sustainability in their agricultural practices.
Online – September 17th 2024, 14:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 3: Sustainable Innovations in Food and Water Management through Desing Thinking
In this module, you will delve into design thinking principles, embracing both divergent and convergent thinking, to craft successful products, processes or services for the market. Through an interactive workshop, you will experience, in teamwork, a dynamic blend of creativity and analytical processes. This process will encourage the learners to propose sustainable solutions. The outcomes of this module will be showcased during the on-site event at the conclusion of the course (details provided later).
Online – September 24th 2024, 14:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 4: Agricultural Water Management, Conservation, Recycling, and Reuse for Circularity of Food and Water
This module focuses on water efficiency, conservation, recycling, and reuse in agriculture. It underscores the importance of innovative technologies and sustainable practices within a circular economy framework. Practical water management and reuse aspects are covered, including case studies, potential implementation strategies, and challenges. Participants will design group context-specific solutions to improve water management and agricultural conservation.
Online – October 1st 2024, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 5. Sustainable Agriculture and Nature-Based Solutions for Water Quality Protection
This module focuses on understanding the role of sustainable practices and nature-based solutions in preserving water quality in agriculture. The group activities will include a discussion and the joint creation of a nature-based solutions plan focused on water quality in agriculture. The joint creation will be presented at the final event on-site (see later).
Online – October 8th 2024, 15:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 6. Showcasing of Technologies for Water Conservation, Efficiency, and Quality Protection in Agriculture
The module will showcase the innovative technologies that enhance water conservation, efficiency, and quality protection in agriculture through a series of presentations by premium and standard sponsors. The learners discuss their experiences and challenges with these technologies in small groups. Finally, they participate in a group activity where they design a technological solution for a specific water management challenge in agriculture.
Online – October 15th 2024, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 7. Public and Private Financing for Circularity of Food and Water
This module will explore public and private financing’s role in circularity within the agriculture-water nexus. It covers various funding mechanisms, investment strategies, and partnership models. The synchronous part includes group discussions on potential funding mechanisms and collaboration strategies. An interactive presentation and Q&A session with experienced guest speakers provide real-world insights into sustainable financing and investment strategies in this nexus.
Online – October 22nd 2024, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 8: Final Event – Future of Water Food Security
The final module is a one-day event offering an interactive and immersive experience. It is also a stand-alone event open for professionals, researchers, and students who did not take the course. It features expert panel discussions, project presentations, networking opportunities, and sponsor showcases. This event is a platform for learners, experts, practitioners, and sponsors to engage in discussions, share insights, and foster connections in the agriculture and water management sectors.
On-site and Online – October 29th 2024, full day; location tbc
Beyond subject-specific skills, the course aims to nurture transferable skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and entrepreneurial thinking. Active participation is encouraged through varied assessment methods, emphasising homework completion, group projects, and engagement at the event (physically or virtually).
Career opportunities
Upon completing this course, participants will acquire an advanced skillset that can significantly elevate their career trajectories in sustainable agriculture, water management, and circular economy. The enhanced understanding of circularity principles, sustainable business models, innovative technologies, and financing mechanisms can drive the development of sustainable solutions within their organisations or support other organisations, to foster business growth while minimising environmental impact.
For professionals, the course offers a comprehensive understanding of the water-food nexus, which can inform the creation of more effective strategies that promote sustainable and circular practices. Professionals will benefit from the more profound insights into sustainable agriculture and water management, leading to expanded consultancy opportunities and improved decision-making processes.
This course also benefits those pursuing advanced studies such as Master or PhD programmes. The knowledge gained can provide a robust foundation for their next career step, enriching their research in sustainable agriculture, water management, and the circular economy. Furthermore, the focus on real-world applications and case studies can offer valuable context for their academic work, potentially informing their research and future professional endeavours.
Ultimately, this course seeks to empower all participants to drive sustainability initiatives within their respective roles and organisations, fostering industry-wide change towards more sustainable practices.
Central European Time
Central European Time