
Anna Pexer, Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten, Elisabeth Öberg, Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten, Gunnar Jonsson, Luleå tekniska universitet, Eva Alerby, Luleå tekniska universitet, Camilla Kullavaara Luleå tekniska universitet, Maria Eriksson, Kalix kommun, Björn Emmoth, Luleå tekniska universitet and Kalix kommun.
25 October 2023
New project to develop education for sustainable food production
How can teachers and schools contribute to creating a sustainable future for food production in the northernmost part of Scandinavia? This is what researchers from Luleå University of Technology aim to find out, in collaboration with the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten, Kalix Municipality, and stakeholders in Finland and Norway, in a new large-scale project supported by the EU Interreg Aurora.
“Despite having good opportunities in the Nordic region to produce food in an environmentally sustainable way, our food production is decreasing. When we import food, we export environmental problems. Additionally, the low level of self-sufficiency is unsustainable when it comes to preparedness for crises,” says Gunnar Jonsson, Associate Professor of Education at Luleå University of Technology.
The new project 'Food Education for the Future' will address challenges related to climate change and low self-sufficiency in food. The project focuses on the role of education in promoting sustainable development with locally produced food and future sustainable food systems in the northernmost part of Scandinavia.
Cooperation with farmers to give children connection to the food
Researchers and collaborators will develop educational materials and a book, as well as create a course for teachers, food producers, meal staff in schools, and procurement officers in municipalities. Additionally, they will establish meeting points between food producers and schools. One potential approach is for school classes to visit farms and, hopefully, take an active role. Kalix will be the pilot municipality for a new way of teaching.
“Knowledge about food is largely traditional, experience-based knowledge tied to specific places. In the past, children were for example involved in growing potatoes. Knowing the origin of food and how it's produced is basic democratic knowledge that everyone should possess. Therefore, it's important for schools to provide children and young people with the opportunity to develop relevant knowledge about sustainable locally produced food. This gives young people a connection to how food is produced,” says Gunnar Jonsson and continues:
“This also aligns with the goals of learning for sustainable development and aligns well with Agenda 2030. Increased knowledge of the food chain can also increase young people's interest in pursuing education and careers in the green industries.”
About the project
Luleå University of Technology, the County Administrative Board (Norrbotten's food strategy 'Nära Mat'), and Kalix Municipality, along with stakeholders from Finland and Norway, have been granted a total of over SEK 19 million for the 'Food Education for the Future' project by Interreg Aurora, with around 4.5 million kronor allocated to parts led by Luleå University of Technology. The project is co-financed by Region Norrbotten. The project leader is the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
Project Participants at Luleå University of Technology:
Gunnar Jonsson, Project Leader and Associate Professor of Education
Eva Alerby, Professor of Education
Björn Emmoth, Doctoral Student of Education
Contact
Eva Alerby
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-491506
- eva.alerby@ltu.se
- Eva Alerby
Gunnar Jonsson
- Associate Professor
- 0920-491532
- gunnar.jonsson@ltu.se
- Gunnar Jonsson
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