Interest in food culture and food has grown in recent years as it has become clear that it is a cross-cutting, multidisciplinary phenomenon affecting all stages of life and all people.
Indeed, the UOC’s Food Systems, Culture and Society Department has taken exactly this cross-disciplinary approach from the start – addressing food policy, intangible cultural heritage, social change, and social and gender roles, to name just a few areas – developing programmes, signing important international agreements and ensuring a significant presence in different countries throughout Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia.
Objectives
The long-term development objectives of the UNESCO Chair on Food, Culture and Development are:
- To further explore food studies from a cultural, international and cross-cutting perspective.
- To promote cultural analysis and diversity in scientific approaches and the transfer of knowledge in relation to food.
- To promote peace and gender equality by endowing cultural and food practices with value and social capital.
- To promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue by enhancing the links between food, education, culture and sustainable development.
- To promote cooperation and the exchange of experiences and knowledge among universities, higher education institutions and research centres with food programmes.
Some specific, short-term objectives include:
- To research and disseminate studies, practices and case studies related to the Chair’s programme.
- To design and organize courses, programmes, seminars, scientific conferences, scientific publications and educational activities for the general public.