Mr. Kevin Wilson
We are addressing issues that involves dismantling systemic barriers hindering smallholder farmers, particularly women, from feeding their regions efficiently and equitably. This encompasses transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices that eliminate reliance on imported synthetic chemical inputs, reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint associated with the long-distance transport of foreign-grown foods. By focusing on sustainable, transparent, and traceable agricultural food systems, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), we aim to facilitate local farmers' participation in profits, access to financing, and creation of sustainable food value chains without causing financial, gender, environmental, or societal harm. We support radical digital transparency.
- Co-Founder, CTO, Project Director
- +40 years immersed in project development, quality assurance, and supply chain management.
- Kevin has worked with teams in Tanzania, Mali, as well as the Canadian Arctic, Estonia, India, and Australia. The diversity of regions matches his multiplicity of experience, particularly when it comes to solving complex project deliveries.
Mr. Kevin Wilson
Subject: Enhancing the Effectiveness of Food Security Strategies in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas
Dear Colleagues,
I write to contribute to our ongoing dialogue on the draft report focusing on food security in urban and peri-urban areas. The draft is commendably structured and addresses many interrelated issues essential for advancing our understanding and action in this critical area. However, I wish to draw attention to several fundamental aspects, informed by our discussions and insights from initiatives like the Farafena Mali business plan, that could further enhance our approach.
1. Enabling Self-Upliftment Rather than Empowering:
The concept of empowerment, often well-intentioned, can unwittingly imply a position of granting power from a place of superiority. Instead, our approach should be about dismantling systemic barriers that hinder the self-upliftment of individuals at the 'base of the pyramid'. This shift in perspective respects the inherent capacities and agency of communities and individuals, recognizing their right and ability to lead their transformation.
2. Eliminating Paternalism and Condescension:
It is vital to critically examine our processes, assumptions, and attitudes to eliminate any form of superiority, condescension, or paternalism. This requires a deep reflection on the language and notions we use, such as "high-level experts" and traditional educational hierarchies, which may inadvertently perpetuate elitist perspectives. We must strive for a more inclusive and egalitarian approach that values diverse voices and experiences.
3. Redefining 'High-Level Expertise:
The traditional definition of 'high-level experts' often relies heavily upon historical knowledge and conventional educational backgrounds, potentially overlooking the rich, context-specific insights that local experts hold. We must broaden our definition of expertise to include local, grassroots knowledge that is intimately connected to the lived experiences and challenges of urban and peri-urban communities. This shift will encourage innovative, disruptive solutions grounded in local realities, moving away from outdated models that may not adequately address current and future challenges.
4. Challenging Entrenched Intermediaries and Structures*:
It is crucial that we critically examine and openly question the roles of both anonymous and known intermediaries that dominate commercial food chains, regulatory frameworks, and financial flows. We should courageously identify and dismantle outdated structures that perpetuate inequity and inefficiency, making way for new paradigms that promote fairness and inclusivity. This transformation requires boldness in addressing entrenched power dynamics and the willingness to discard systems that no longer serve the collective good.
5. Implementing a Radically Transparent Global Platform:
The adoption of an open-source, universally accessible, and mandatory digital platform based on blockchain technology is imperative. Such a platform will ensure radical transparency and traceability, offering all stakeholders real-time access to 'immutable truth'. This level of transparency is essential for dismantling the opacity that allows current power brokers and intermediaries to resist meaningful change. By ensuring accountability and openness at every level, we pave the way for the successful implementation of the transformative actions outlined in the draft report.
While the draft report provides a robust framework for addressing food security in urban and peri-urban areas, these additional considerations aim to deepen our commitment to a truly inclusive, equitable, and transformative approach. By embracing these principles, we can ensure that our strategies are not only well-informed and forward-thinking but also grounded in the realities and aspirations of those most affected by our work.
Best regards,
Kevin Wilson