Master’s in Food Politics and Sustainable Development

The politics of eating and producing food

Food is a critical issue in today’s global and European politics. The regulation of agriculture, food distribution, public health, environment and sustainable development are some of the issues covered by ESPOL’s master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable Development. This unique training programme in France, combining theory and practice, allows students to gain a better understanding of the issues related to the politics of food and farming, and acquire the skills necessary to access key professional positions in public and private organisations.

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Overview

Food and agriculture are fields in which major global challenges arise. In 2050, the world’s population is projected to rise to 10 billion people; and they all need to eat. The various ecological and social problems of the modern food system represent additional challenges. Questions related to the organisation and regulation of our agri-food system are complex and include the production, distribution, accessibility, and consumption of food, as well as issues related to poverty, public health, animal welfare, science and technology, and trade. How would a sustainable food system look like, and how can it be achieved?

The master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable Development examines the ways in which public authorities (regional bodies, nation states, European institutions, UN agencies) and private actors (individuals, farming communities and organisations, transnational businesses, researchers, NGOs, etc.) shape and transform the agri-food system. While the production of food is initiated at local level, its distribution and consumption often have global implications. Understanding, analysing and acting upon these implications is key to sustainably steer, govern and transform our food system in the future.

Because these questions require to cross political and technical knowledge, the master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable development is organised in close collaboration with practitioners. It includes a partnership with ISA Lille, the renowned agronomy institute of Lille Catholic University; numerous interventions from agri-food professionals; and field trips to regional farms, food-related policy events, key food fairs such as the Paris International Agricultural Show, and food markets such as the Rungis Market, the biggest wholesale food market in the world.