Rome, Italy. June 20–21, 2025
The Center for Food Studies at The American University of Rome, in collaboration with the Rome Food Policy Council, will host a landmark international workshop titled Food Policy Councils in Action: Experiences, Lessons, and Work in Progress. The two-day event will convene more than 90 representatives from Food Policy Councils (FPCs) and affiliated organizations across the globe, making it one of the most significant gatherings of its kind in Europe this year.
At the heart of this initiative is the Center for Food Studies at AUR - a hub of transdisciplinary research and collaboration dedicated to reimagining food systems in a rapidly changing world. By fostering dialogue among academics, policymakers, and grassroots actors, the Center has become a catalyst for global conversations that lead to meaningful, grounded action.
The workshop will explore the opportunities and challenges faced by Food Policy Councils, now central players in urban food governance. Topics under discussion include institutional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, transparency, and policy resilience in the face of political and environmental volatility.
“Food Policy Councils are increasingly recognized as essential tools for shaping equitable and sustainable food systems,” said Dr. Laura Prota, AUR professor and one of the organizers of this event. “But the work is complex - requiring both a vision for change and the everyday pragmatism to navigate bureaucracy, local politics, and competing interests. This workshop is about building solidarity, sharing strategies, and creating the groundwork for long-term transformation.”
Participants will exchange insights and case studies from their local contexts - from municipal partnerships to electoral resilience - while building a shared vocabulary and methodology for effective food governance. The event’s safe, inclusive format is designed to encourage open dialogue, peer learning, and mutual support across national and institutional boundaries.
For more information, including a full workshop program and list of participating organizations, visit www.fpc2025.com.
