1^st Circular of the Second Agroecology Europe Forum

Agroecology Europe (AEEU) is an association of members who wants to exchange knowledge and experiences on agroecology and to support the transition toward agroecological practices and policies. To support exchange, reflection and bottom-up contributions, the association will organise together with local farmers, universities, social movement organisations and non-governmental organisations, the second Agroecology Europe Forum. It will take place on 26-28 September 2019 on the island of Crete, Greece, at the premises of the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Crete in Heraklion, co-organising the event.

 # Aim and Scope

Following the first successful Agroecology Forum (October 2017, Lyon, France), the second one intends to provide critical and constructive inputs for the European agenda of Agroecology by contributing to answering notably to the following questions: What should be the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the future for promoting agroecology? Which local practices and policies exist in Europe that support access to land for young and first generation farmers? Which traditional and new knowledge is available related to soil health and restoration, and biodiversity using and conserving practices, systems and food productions?

# Location

In order to decentralize European initiatives, the Forum will be held in Crete, Greece. The Technological Educational Institute hosting the event, is a main academic institute of the island, among several other important academic and research entities in the area. Heraklion, is the largest city of Crete, centrally located as a plethoric crossroads of travel activities. Crete is an important agricultural production area with diverse systems and a hotspot of traditional agricultural knowledge, biodiversity and Mediterranean diet, besides being a major attractive holiday’s destination in terms of leisure, nature, history and food,.

# Forum’s structure and programme

The Forum is expected to be highly interactive and transdisciplinary, combining different approaches and types of activities, in order to stimulate exchange, discussion and networking among different stakeholders representing the three main elements of agroecology: science, practice and movement. Therefore, the programme, following an initial draft schedule seen below, will include plenary and parallel sessions, panel discussions and workshops, with a limited number of oral presentations in certain sessions. Posters will also be exhibited in an open space aimed to facilitate further networking among participants.

#Draft programme

Thursday 26 September

• Morning to noon: registration
• Afternoon: plenary sessions
• Evening: Buffet dinner & social event

Friday 27 September

• Morning: General Assembly (non-members welcome to attend) & consultation meetings
• Afternoon: Trip to farms and other sites

Saturday 28 September

• Morning: parallel sessions, workshops & poster session
• Afternoon: parallel sessions, workshops & poster session

In both Forum’s full days (Sept. 27 & 28) coffee, snacks and lunch will be provided

# Call for ideas: contributions and topics of sessions & workshops

The Agroecology Europe Forum intends to be largely based on a participatory build-up of the programme. Therefore, we call for voluntarily share your ideas of contributions and topics of sessions and workshops, in order to largely consider the important issues of all stakeholders.

The abstracts are meant to be used in a Book of Abstracts, to be distributed at the Forum.

Your contribution may address a diversity and activities and topics related to the general principles of Agroecology covering environmental, social & cultural, economic and political dimensions. An initial list of generalised, potential topics of sessions & workshops, based on preliminary suggestions received, are:

• Agroforestry
• Biodiversity-based agriculture
• Educational and training
• Framing Agroecological farming
• Food and food systems
• Policy in support of Agroecology
• Territorial development

Your idea can be send to us, by using the template found in the Forum’s website here.

The deadline for abstracts submission is by April 15 2019.

For any questions regarding your contributions, please contact Vassilis Gkisakis (gkisakis [at] staff.teicrete.gr)

# Further procedures

A 2^nd circular will be released by mid-May 2019, including all information on finalizing the list of sessions and workshops, registration fees and related deadlines.

# Contacts with regards the Forum

• Laurence Eeckhout (AE Secretariat): info [at] agroecology-europe.org ()
• Alain Peeters (Secretary of AE): alain.peeters [at] agroecology-europe.org () 
• VassilisGkisakis (Board member of AE /local organiser): gkisakis [at] staff.teicrete.gr ()

# Organizing committee

Agroecology Europe: Vassilis Gkisakis (TEI of Crete, GR), Paolo Bàrberi (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, IT), Stéphane Bellon (INRA SAD, FR), Paola Migliorini (University of Gastronomic Science, IFOAM AgriBioMediterraneo, IT), Alain Peeters (RHEA, BE), Alexander Wezel (ISARA, FR, DE),

From other institutes & organisations: Emmanouil Kabourakis (TEI of Crete. GR), Emmanouil Nikolakakis (Natural History Museum of Crete/University of Crete, GR), Constantinos Machairas & Charikleia Minotou (AgriBioMediterraneo, GR), Christina Vakali (Aegilops, GR), Panayotis Papadopoulos (Agroecology Greece, GR) and others to be confirmed.

# Web resources

• FB event: https://bit.ly/2CmcWdu