Deadline: July 3, 2017
Join the World Food System Summer School and connect with a community of motivated and like-minded students, researchers and practitioners from around the world who are committed to building sustainable food systems. The 2018 summer school will take place in Abidjan, Bouaké, and a number of field sites. The majority of the course will be hosted at Hotel Mon Afrik in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.
As a participant, you will:
- Discuss challenges, opportunities, and innovations in food systems across disciplines, sectors and scales with stakeholders from agricultural production, research, industry, government and civil society.
- Critically reflect on the role different production systems, crops and value chains play in achieving food and nutrition security in the region. The course will take a special look at yam and cocoa value chains and the significance of these crops for food, nutrition and livelihoods.
- Learn how to apply a food systems perspective. The program will take an integrated approach that considers interactions across the food system and with its environmental, social, political and economic boundary conditions.
- Be creative and innovative. Exchange ideas and work on case studies to address contemporary challenges of the world food system as part of an international interdisciplinary team.
- Experience and gain new knowledge about the realities of food systems in transition in West Africa and how this relates to the global context.
Cost and Scholarship
- The course fee of 750 Swiss Francs (CHF) per student covers the cost for all board, lodging, local travel, and activities during the program, all of which are arranged by the course organizers;
- You are responsible for paying and organizing your visa (if required), health insurance, travel insurance (including repatriation insurance), and your transportation to and from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire;
- Organizers offer a limited number of needs-based scholarships for applicants that have been accepted into the program.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a university graduate education program (Master’s or PhD) or have recently graduated from one of these programs (up to 5 years since graduation);
- Successful applicants will have a strong and demonstrated interest in food system challenges and solutions, collaboration across disciplines, sectors and cultures, and bring relevant experience;
- The course will be conducted in English, though participants can give feedback and ask questions in French;
- They are running a competitive application process; this also applies to applicants from ETH Zurich and Yamsys partner universities. Participants from West Africa are particularly encouraged to apply.
Application Process
To apply, you must complete an online application form and submit (upload via the form) the following:
- your curriculum vitae (maximum two pages and in English)
- a motivation letter (in English). The motivation letter should communicate your answers to the following three questions: why do you want to come to this course? What can you contribute? What do you hope to do after this course?
- a letter of recommendation. This letter should preferably be from a current or former professor or your employer (in either English or French).
Your complete application must be submitted by Monday, July 3, 2017 at 8 AM CET.
For more information, visit World Food System Summer School.
