OWC 2021 Pre-Conference: Seed Ambassadors - Building an International Network to Advance Organic Seed Systems

On 6-10 September, the Organic World Congress 2021 entitled "From its roots - organic inspires life" gathered the organic movement in Rennes, France & Online to address questions around resilience, societal transformation, health and food sovereignty. 

Engagement.Biobreeding co-organised the pre-conference Seed Ambassadors – Building an International Network to Advance Organic Seed Systems.

From all over the world, 40 participants gathered on site and a further 100 participants joined online. The pre-conference was an opportunity to engage young seed ambassadors and seed pioneers, build relationships and broaden international representation within the organic seed community.

The first day took participants to the INRAE and ITAB demonstration fields. Using carrots and buckwheat, they explored on-farm seed stewardship, plant breeding and culinary evaluation methodologies, including first-hand degustation. A video of the field visit was provided for online participants (https://youtu.be/DLEYIUQC3ZU). In parallel, a meeting with GEVES - the French institute for the study and control of varieties and seeds - took place to discuss organic varieties and adjusted DUS.

On the second day, participants developed concrete action points in interactive and participatory workshops. The results of the workshop underlined the importance of agro-ecosystem and societal resilience. This includes training seed professionals, building local and international networks and addressing governance and seed policy issues. These points will be further explored in the IFOAM Seeds Platform working groups. 

The pre-conference was also an opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ECO-PB. The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) supported the pre-conference and guided the participants online on the Organic Seed Commons platform (https://www.organicseedcommons.org) - where discussions will continue after the event.