Water-Food Nexus: the future of water and food security
| Tipo | Professional Development, online |
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| Tassa scolastica | 950 € per programma Full course fee deadline 13th Oct. 2023 Student* – 500 Euro Professional* – 950 Euro Early Bird Discount for application before 6th Oct. 2023 Student* – 250 Euro Professional* – 500 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 includes course material and ticket (physical or virtual attendance) for the Berlin event, and a field trip to urban farming adopting sustainable solutions. |
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| Qualifiche di accesso | Diploma di laurea triennale (o superiore) Applicant should have a bachelor’s degree or have experience in water management and/or in the agri-food sector. |
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| Requisiti linguistici | inglese |
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| Maggiori informazioni |
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Panoramica
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.
Struttura del programma
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 during the Berlin Science Week, providing a platform for learners to interact with experts and network with peers.
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. Learners 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 – October 17th 2023, 16:30 – 18:30 Central European Time (CET)
Module 2. 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 live group activity includes a discussion and the joint creation of a nature-based solutions plan focused on water quality in agriculture.
Online – October 24th 2023, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 3. Agricultural Water Management and Conservation for Circularity of Food and Water
It delves into the crucial aspects of water efficiency and agricultural conservation, underscoring the significance of sustainable practices and innovative technologies within a circular economy framework. The synchronous group work encourages participants to discuss effective water management practices, analyze case studies, and propose context-specific improvements to agricultural water management and conservation strategies.
Online – October 31st 2023, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 4. Event – Future of Circularity in Agriculture and Water Management
This module is a one-day event taking place during Berlin Science Week. This interactive and immersive event is compulsory for learners, who can attend either physically or virtually. The event features expert panel discussions, project presentations, networking opportunities, and sponsor showcases. Learners, experts, practitioners, and sponsors come together to engage in discussions, share insights, and foster connections in the agriculture and water management sectors.
Onsite and Online – November 9th 2023, all day – Berlin
Module 5. Water Recycling and Reuse in Agriculture for Circularity of Food and Water
This module delves into the concept of water recycling and reuse in agriculture, elaborating on various recovery methods and their socio-economic and environmental benefits. The synchronous group work discusses practical examples, potential implementation strategies, and challenges in water recycling and reuse and designs a plan for implementing these practices in a specific agricultural context.
Online – November 21st 2023, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 6. Showcasing of Technologies for Water Conservation, Efficiency, and Quality Protection in Agriculture
The module will engage learners with 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 – November 28th 2023, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 7. System Thinking for Sustainable Food and Water Systems
In this module, learners delve into system thinking for sustainable food and water systems through brainstorming sessions, group discussions, case study analysis, and role-playing exercises. These activities allow learners to share innovative ideas, discuss challenges, and propose solutions. An interactive presentation by guest speakers experienced in sustainable business models in agriculture enriches the learning process. The module concludes with a reflection session where learners identify actionable steps to promote sustainability in their agricultural practices.
Online – December 5th 2023, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
Module 8. Public and Private Financing for Circularity of Food and Water
Module 8 explores 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 – December 12 2023, 16:30 – 18:30 CET
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).
Water-Food Nexus programme foreseen participation fee. The fee follows the early bird policy, and the applicant’s career stage.
Full course fee deadline 13th Oct. 2023
Student* – 500 Euro
Professional* – 950 Euro
Early Bird Discount for application before 6th Oct. 2023
Student* – 250 Euro
Professional* – 500 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 includes course material and ticket (physical or virtual attendance) for the Berlin event, and a field trip to urban farming adopting sustainable solutions.
Sbocchi professionali
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.
