Conference report: Harvest the Future International Symposium

Organised by INMED Partnerships for Children (INMED), the inaugural Harvest the Future International Symposium took place in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 14-17 June 2015. The symposium convened more than 120 representatives of international multilateral agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private sector businesses, academic institutions, smallholder farmers and others to discuss the pressing, interrelated issues of climate change and food security and to offer solutions through innovative climate-smart agricultural practices such as aquaponics. The three-day symposium included presentations and roundtable discussions with experts who shared knowledge and expertise across academic disciplines and geographic boundaries, a field tour of intensive aquaponic systems in action, and informal evening receptions to foster partnership development. Both speakers and audience members highlighted optimism in the face of a global climate crisis combined with a growing global population. 

The symposium showcased important innovations, including aquaponics, that are providing sustainable food sources as well as jobs and hope for communities that struggle under difficult circumstances. Keynote speakersalso addressed issues of nutrition and health, climate action and poverty.

The summary proceedings describe many of the presentations and discussions while there is also an INMED video on the PAEPARD blog highlighting the value of aquaponics.