The right to food in Rome

Rome is home to a vibrant local food system, with 70 territorial markets, over 55 solidarity-based purchasing groups, and numerous farmer’s markets. As urban and peri-urban areas play an increasingly important role in ensuring adequate food for all, the city offers a unique lens to explore how policy and practice can jointly advance the right to food.

This event, co-organized by FAO and the Observatory on Food Insecurity and Poverty of Rome (CURSA), will bring together experts, policymakers, civil society, and academia to examine legal frameworks, governance structures, and participatory mechanisms that shape the urban food landscape.

Participants will engage in dialogue on how Rome’s evolving food system can serve as a model for promoting equitable and sustainable access to food, while contributing to a broader conversation on the realization of the right to food in cities.

Those requiring building passes should submit their request by April 14.

Interpretation: English and Italian will be provided. 

Moderators: Clara Park, Senior Gender Officer, Gender Team Leader, Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Lavinia Ferrari, Public Affairs Advisor, Futuritaly

Agenda item and presenter

Opening remarks by Maurizio Martina, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Key aspects on the right to food and urban and peri-urban food governance by Juan Echanove, Right to Food Team Leader, Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, FAO

Key facts on the right to food in Rome by Francesca Felici, Researcher, Observatory on Food Insecurity and Poverty of Rome, CURSA

Panel discussion:  Antonella Melito, Councilor of the Municipality of Rome  Tiziana Biolghini, Metropolitan Councilor of the Metropolitan City of Rome  Davide Marino, Scientific Director, Observatory on Food Insecurity and Poverty of Rome Fabio Ciconte, President, Rome Food Council  Mario Marino, Technical Officer, Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), FAO

Voices from other cities in Europe and Q&A

Closing remarks by Sabrina Alfonsi, Councilor for Agriculture, Environment and Waste Cycle of the Municipality of Rome

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