We sat with @Akiko Suwa-Eisenmann, Chair of the @HLPE-FSN, during the #Nutrition4Growth Summit to discuss the importance of keeping space open for dialogue at a time when multilateralism is under threat.
Akiko emphasised the need for Science to Policy Interfaces to move beyond diagnosis into solutions, integrating dialogue and social sciences at the core of their practice.
In this Systems Thinkers interview, Chartered Coaching Psychologist and HR Consultant Natasha Vorrasi explores the underestimated role of space and place in shaping dialogue and collaboration. She highlights the importance of being intentional about the dynamics we bring into conversations—how our strengths, identities, and roles influence whether we speak up, hold back, or dominate a discussion.
At COP16 in Cali, the brilliant Hugo Rivera Mendoza talked passionately about bottom-up approaches and the importance of making space for often unheard voices if we're to meet the ambitions of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
With #CBDCOP16 reconvening in Rome on 25 February these voices must be at the heart of the global negotiations.
Oliver Oliveros is another of our Montpellier Process champions. His message from the biodiversity COP16:
"If we truly want to transform the system, we need to move beyond our echo chambers and engage with organisations, people, and stakeholder groups we don’t typically interact with—even when it means navigating uncomfortable situations where the outcomes are unclear."
Amada Lucero Lara representing the Pastos Indigenous Peoples Community highlights the importance of honouring all forms of knowing, including local, ancestral and traditional knowledge by placing them on equal ground.
We met Andrés Tombe, member of the Misak Indigenous peoples community at the COP16 Montpellier Process use case dialogue hosted by Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Andrés emphasizes the importance of not just listening to but actively including and engaging Indigenous peoples’ communities by co-creating spaces for dialogue.
Meet Ana María Quiroga Arcila & Greici Parisoto, our Systems Thinkers from the Montpellier Process Feed-Care-Protect Global PhD Platform of this year’s interview series at the Biodiversity COP16 in Colombia.
Meet Fabrice DeClerck, one of our Systems Thinker for this year’s interview series at Biodiversity COP16 Colombia. We asked Fabrice to share his thoughts on the role of deliberate dialogue at COP16 and how we can ensure that the full diversity of voices, particularly from underrepresented communities, are genuinely included as drivers of change.
Explore the final chapter of our Summer Interview Series as Amanda and Maggie are readying for change and look ahead to COP30.
“I think that the best way of articulating what Convene’s magic is about is through the collective. What happens when we are together in those spaces and how do you curate them? Because through that space we are really trying to come out on the other side with actionable solutions.” - Maggie
European summers always inspire us to reflect on how far we’ve come in our journey. This year, Amanda and Maggie sat in lavender gardens and under lemon trees, looking back on our journey from those early days to becoming a thriving community driving systemic change.
Luis Gómez-Echeverri is an emeritus research scholar at IIASA. He presented at COP the report published by UNDESA and UNFCC on Synergy Solutions to tackle Climate and SDG Action together.
Lee-Ann is the Head of the Agro-food Trade and Markets Division in the OECD's Trade and Agriculture Directorate. She talks about the dichotomies she identified during the dialogues at COP28.
David Cooper is Acting Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since February 2023. He talks about the importance of nature in addressing the climate crisis as well as the protection of biodiversity.
David Obura is Founding Director of CORDIO East Africa, as well as the chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). He provided key insights on the importance of biodiversity, climate adaptation and mitigation, as well as accountability in tackling climate crisis.
In the tradition of our System Thinkers series, this year at COP28, we’ve invited some of our Systems Thinkers to tell us about their hopes, frustrations and insights around the quality of dialogue at COP.
Maria Itria Ibba and Francisco Piñera, researchers at CGIAR CIMMYT and emerging thought leaders in the wider food systems transformation space, reflect on the value of community to achieve collective change, as well as the importance of young voices.
Outcome video of the BMGF Nutritious Food Systems Convening held in London, in march 2022.
In this interview, Charlie explores how looking at societal challenges, both within our work and our personal lives, with a lens of optimism, brings immense value to driving systemic change.
A.G. Kwarma, from Solutions from the Land, talks to re-framing our mindsets so that we are pouring into a glass half full, not half empty, with knowledge and intelligence, to power the ‘renaissance of agriculture’.
Anotinette Vermilye, co-founder of She Changes Climate, calls for bold initiatives to provide the equal representation of men and women across all levels in the climate conversation and negotiations.
Lloyd Day, Deputy General of Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA) gives his take of the first Sustainable Agriculture of the Americas Pavilion at a COP and highlights the importance of ensuring the voices of farmers are continuously and actively involved in climate negotiations.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Namukolo Covic, CGIAR’s Regional Director, East and Southern Africa to dive into the complexities of integrating Deliberate Dialogue into organisational change and the importance of flexibility and collective momentum to execute collaborative action as a team.
In the first episode of our Convene Summer Series, Amanda reflects on the year’s progress, celebrating successes and identifying areas for improvement and increased ambition.
We created space for conversation with Knowledge Broker and new Convene collaborator Mariëlle Karssenberg, on how dialogue can accelerate the co-creation of critical partnerships to go beyond discussion, towards action.
What are the roles and impacts of deliberate dialogue in 2022? Watch highlights from our conversation with Sébastien Treyer of Institutional Convener, IDDRI
Diverse voices came together, led by Mike Phillips in a Convene curated event, to tell their own FISH Stories of Most Significant Change.
Joe Robertson, Executive Director at Citizens’ Climate International; Senior Advisor for Sustainable Finance, EAT; EAT representative at Good Food Finance Network, speaks to the impacts of hybrid dialogue at our Hybrid Dialogue Guide launch event.
Gretel Gambarelli, Project Manager for UN Environment Programme; UNEP representative at Good Food Finance Network, speaks to the power of blending the right people in hybrid dialogue at our Hybrid Dialogue Guide launch event.
Victoria Pezzi, Meetings and Event Coordinator at CGIAR, speaks to rising to the challenge of hybrid dialogue coordination at our Hybrid Dialogue Guide launch event.
A snippet of Khloud Odeh, Global Director of Digital Services, CGIAR, speaks to the benefits and challenges of hybrid dialogue at our Hybrid Dialogue Guide launch event.
How do we understand the connection between content - the knotty problem we are dealing with - and the method we use to address it?
Overall, how has this semester reshaped, challenged, expanded or consolidated the role and potential of Convene?
Convene creates a unique third space... also online! How has Covid impacted our work? What has this constraint taught us about the process of dialogue?
What have been the lightbulb moments of the first half of 2021?
As summer comes to an end, the questions about the first half of 2021 teachings become more challenging and forward-looking. Here's today's input: what do we put in the parking lot, that we have learnt over the past six months and that we sense will serve Convene's purpose and mission in the future?
We are back to work at Convene. To end the summer and kick-start the new season here’s the last snippet from our Summer Series.
In this closing episode, we talk to our hopes and expectations looking forward, building on the first half of 2021.
Who is a Convener and what does it mean to Convene?
Here is how Amanda Harding answered the opening question of our First Half of 2021 Reflections.
Working together for a stronger, fairer and more inclusive physical activity and sport system for all.
COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives including where and how we can take part in sport and physical activity. The impacts have been unequal, and some are finding it more difficult than others to stay active. This is widening health gaps, at a time when staying active is more important than ever for mental and physical wellbeing.
Working together for a stronger, fairer and more inclusive physical activity and sport system for all.
COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives including where and how we can take part in sport and physical activity. The impacts have been unequal, and some are finding it more difficult than others to stay active. This is widening health gaps, at a time when staying active is more important than ever for mental and physical wellbeing.
Working together for a stronger, fairer and more inclusive physical activity and sport system for all.
COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives including where and how we can take part in sport and physical activity. The impacts have been unequal, and some are finding it more difficult than others to stay active. This is widening health gaps, at a time when staying active is more important than ever for mental and physical wellbeing.
We believe in the power of dialogue and common purpose for each and every one of us.
Unravelling complexity. Creating space. Unlocking Potential. Understanding what’s at stake. Discover more about the impact we drive by Convening together.
Amanda Harding, TEDxINSEAD 2018
To shape our future through the way we shape our conversation takes: a very mixed menu, that surprising combination of people and some careful preparation; a common dining table where we sit together for the duration; a desire and commitment to gather again, moving forward with determination from one conversation to the next.
Amanda Harding speaks on Gender Awareness during the 3rd International Forum on Water and Food in Tshwane, South Africa, November 2011.