systems thinking

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Shifting Gears: A Systems Approach to Transforming Food Systems

The complex challenges facing global food systems demand more than piecemeal solutions. instead, a new report champions a comprehensive, interconnected approach, showcasing real-world examples of this transformative strategy in action. These “pockets of progress” demonstrate that a systems-based methodology is not just theoretical but is already yielding tangible results worldwide.

Ethiopia, for instance, has embarked on a journey of food system reform since 2021 by fostering collaboration across various government ministries. This integrated strategy aims to simultaneously enhance food security, public health, and environmental sustainability. Through coordinated cross-ministerial efforts and monitoring aligned with national, regional, and international objectives, Ethiopia is actively sharing its valuable experiences. similarly, Switzerland has revolutionized its agrifood policy by implementing true cost accounting. This innovative approach illuminates the often-unseen social,environmental,and economic consequences of food production,paving the way for more clear and evidence-driven decision-making across different sectors.

The report outlines six essential pillars essential for policymakers and practitioners to adopt this new way of thinking,organizing,and acting. These pillars are: systems thinking, systems knowledge, systems governance, systems doing, systems investment, and systems learning.

At the heart of this advocated approach lies systems thinking. As author Hawkes explains, practitioners begin by mapping the intricate connections within agrifood systems and identifying all relevant stakeholders.This foundational step cultivates a shared vision and pinpoints critical junctures for impactful change. Systems thinking is intrinsically linked to systems knowledge, which leverages a diverse range of evidence to unearth root causes, anticipate potential consequences, and ultimately inform superior decision-making.

Effective systems governance is crucial for orchestrating sectoral collaboration, distributing leadership responsibilities, and addressing power dynamics to foster unity and ensure equitable outcomes. Systems doing then translates this into synchronized actions, policies, and programs that work harmoniously, maximizing collective impact rather than operating in isolation. To fuel this conversion, systems investment provides the necessary long-term financial backing.systems learning integrates continuous monitoring, adaptive strategies, and knowledge sharing to refine approaches over time, enabling governments to navigate the ever-evolving complexities of agrifood systems.

Collectively, these six elements are designed to move beyond mere information dissemination, aiming to inspire and guide concrete, coordinated action. Hawkes observes a growing momentum behind this systems-based methodology, noting that “Countries are not about starting from the beginning – they are already making the shift, as the examples in the report show.”

Hawkes’ ultimate aspiration for the report is to catalyze this shift in both mindset and practice. She encourages policymakers and practitioners to ponder, “What dose taking a systems approach mean for what we need to do differently? What does it mean to me?” This call to reflection underscores the report’s commitment to empowering individuals and institutions to embrace a more holistic and effective approach to building resilient and sustainable food systems.