The 4th Conference on Food & Communication aims to critically explore the diverse roles of media and communication in shaping and advancing food democracy in all its dimensions. Food democracy encompasses not only equitable access to nutritious, sustainable, and enjoyable food for all—regardless of socio-economic status, age, or situations of vulnerability—but also stresses transparency in food systems, access to knowledge, public deliberation, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
Media and communication can play a pivotal role in advancing these facets of food democracy. They can be instrumental in fostering public debate, ensuring transparency about food production and supply chains, providing access to educational resources, and amplifying advocacy for the protection of consumer rights. Furthermore, media can render visible and give recognition to minority and marginalized food practices, thereby challenging dominant narratives and promoting diversity in food systems. The concept of food democracy, originally developed as a counterpressure to the concentration of corporate power within the agri-food system, challenges “food control» by promoting participatory approaches and defending personal liberties in the food landscape.
Despite its frequent use, a comprehensive understanding of food democracy is still evolving, encompassing different elements from public engagement to the protection of individual rights. This conference invite scholars, practitioners, and activists to address this gap by examining the intersections between media, communication, and these multiple dimensions of food democracy.
We aim to analyze how different communication strategies are shaping food systems, influencing policy, and contributing to the broader democratic control over food.
