Conference 2019: Game Plan for a Good Food Nation

The conference is all about achieving change – how we get from where we are to where we need and want to be? What will it take to be a Good Food Nation?

Scottish Government have set ambitious targets in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and committed to bringing forward the Good Food Nation Bill. Now is the time to seize the opportunity for a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future for Scotland’s food system – we hope you will join us.

Developing a Game Plan

For much of the two days you will be working in a team with a facilitator to come up with your team’s game plan – how can we deliver on the Good Food Nation goals? Along the way you will have the chance to listen to and work with pioneers, thinkers and changemakers, and to access ideas from Scotland and around the world.

  • How can we increase dissatisfaction with the status quo (because without that there is no change)?
  • Do we have a clear sharp vision of what better looks like?
  • How locked in are we in the present system (resistance), what makes it so hard to change?
  • And given all that, where should we focus our efforts on next steps?

At the end of the event, we’ll publish every team’s work in a conference report.

Conference format

We will kick off with a contribution from Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment and we finish with a panel of MSPs discussing the big ideas from the event.

For the remaining time, participants will be working in small teams developing and presenting their game plan. There will be time for sharing your knowledge and experience, plenary inputs from inspiring contributors, access to written material and video, a facilitator for each team and access to experts in attendance.

Over two full days, you will…

  • Hear from Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment
  • Have the opportunity to engage with a panel of MSPs
  • Learn different theories of systems change
  • Acquire practical tools to use in your own work about how change happens
  • Share information about your project, campaign or enterprise with colleagues working across all parts of the food system
  • Meet old friends and make new connections
  • Leave knowing you are a part of a bigger movement working for a healthy, sustainable and fair food system

Do I need to attend both days?

Yes. Food system and social change are complex subjects. While we need more action for things to happen, occasionally we also need time to reflect and to do so collectively.  You will be working with a team of people from across the food system – building towards a collective game plan. Because of this, we do not have a day pass option.

What is included in the delegate fee?

All attendees – team coaches, expert witnesses and participants – are asked to pay the delegate fee (£65). This includes:

  • Two full days of facilitated group work with contributions from leading experts
  • Free entrance to evening event with Dr. Katherine Trebeck, co-author of The Economics of Arrival 
  • Delicious, locally-sourced lunches and snacks freshly prepared by Chef Steve Brown

The conference is not free for us to put on. While our time spent preparing it is covered by our funders (thank you Tudor Trust and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation!) there are additional costs.

Economics of Food and Wellbeing: an evening with Dr. Katherine Trebeck, 6-8pm, 21st November

What would happen if we put aside the economics of endless growth – and the associated risk and damage caused to the planet – and instead focused on how to better use and share the wealth of resources we already have? What does progress look like if growth is not the final goal? What are the ‘economics of arrival’ for food?

In this public event, Dr. Katherine Trebeck, Research Director at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and co-author of The Economics of Arrival, will discuss some key ideas from her new book – ‘arrival’ and ‘making ourselves at home’.

Conference delegates are invited to stay for the evening event, which will include drinks and freshly prepared nibbles by Chef Steve Brown. Nourish members are invited to book a complimentary ticket. Evening-only tickets for non-members are £10.

Can I just attend the evening event on the 21st?

Yes. If you are unable to attend the full conference, you are still welcome to join us for the evening event. Please book your place here.

All conference delegates are invited to attend the evening event, included as part of the delegate fee. Nourish members are invited to book a complimentary ticket. Evening-only tickets for non-members are £10.

Share ideas, learning and requests for support

On Friday morning, there will be time set aside for delegates to share ideas and learning from their work – or request support to help them think through possible solutions or next steps for their own projects or local challenges. Speak to the conference organisers ahead of time or on Day 1 to let us know if you would like to host one of these discussions.

Supporting inclusive participation

We do not want the ticket price to be a barrier to anyone’s participation. If you need a discounted or free place, please get in touch at conference@nourishscotland.org.uk.

If you can sponsor a place for someone else to take part in this conference, please head to our page on wonderful.org. Thank you for this support.

Nourish Conference

Time & Date

9am-5pm
Thursday 21st November
Friday 22nd November

Cost

£65 per person
(includes 2 full days + evening event on 21st)

Location 

Central Hall
2 West Tollcross
Edinburgh
EH3 9BP

Registration

Our registration is now closed

Economics of Food and Wellbeing: An Evening with Dr. Katherine Trebeck

Time & Date

6pm-8pm
Thursday 21st November

Cost

£10 per person
(free for delegates and Nourish members, though booking is required)

Location 

Central Hall
2 West Tollcross
Edinburgh
EH3 9BP