International Workshop “Governance and Sustainability in Mediterranean Agri-Food Value Chains: Challenges and Perspective”

May 2024

The International Workshop titled: Governance and Sustainability in Mediterranean Agri-Food Value Chains: Challenges and Perspectives, was held on May 14th 2024 at the University of Biskra in Algeria. The event took place in the Audio-Visual Conference Room of the Central Bibliotheca and brought together 73 participants from various sectors, including academia, industry, government, and civil associations.

This International Workshop of the GourMed Project distinguished itself with a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing a wide range of topics that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of governance and sustainability in Mediterranean AVCs. Experts and academics from fields such as agronomy, economics, environmental sciences, and political science converged to order diverse perspectives. The workshop inaugurated at 9:00 AM (local time) with an opening ceremony that included welcome addresses from university officials and key organizers. This was followed by a series of expert presentations divided into three main conference sessions. Each session focused on very specific themes, with speakers sharing their research findings and practical experiences.

This approach acknowledges the multifaceted and interdependent nature of the challenges and opportunities within agri-food value chains, highlighting the importance of collaborative insights in generating holistic solutions. The workshop presented a wide range of topics, each addressing a specific aspect of governance and sustainability in the context of Mediterranean agri-food value chains.

Some of the key themes include:

• Environmental Sustainability: Exploring strategies to reduce the ecological footprint of AVCs, sustainable agricultural practices and the impact of climate change.

• Economic Viability: Analyze the economic aspects of AVCs, including market dynamics, trade policies and financial viability of stakeholders.

• Social Equity: Discuss issues related to working conditions, fair trade and social responsibility within AVCs.

• Policy and Governance: Examine the role of government policies and regulations in shaping the sustainability and governance of these AVCs.

• Technology and Innovation: Study the impact of technological advancements, innovation and digitalization in AVC optimization.

The afternoon session included poster presentations by PhD students and young researchers, providing the ground for future potential researchers to showcase their work and engage with established experts in the field. The poster session fostered dynamic interactions and offered valuable feedback to the young researchers. The workshop concluded at 4:00 PM (local time) with a closing ceremony that summarized the key takeaways and outlined future directions for research and collaboration. Participants left with a renewed commitment to advancing the governance and sustainability of Mediterranean agri-food value chains, inspired by the knowledge shared and the connections made during the event. Through this gathering, the workshop fostered successfully an environment of intellectual exchange and practical discussion, paving the way for future advancements in the governance and sustainability of Mediterranean agrifood value chains.