This is one of 9 project groups in the program "MSc International Food Business and Consumer Studies"

Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (and their sustainability standards) have proliferated in the food industry, promising the implementation of various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective is to critically evaluate their fitness in addressing social issues, namely those caused and entangled with gender inequality: inhumane working conditions, landlessness, gender-based violence. We will understand how to apply evaluation criteria to draw comparisons and to judge their applicability in food value chain management.

In this project we:

explore the landscape of multi-stakeholder initiatives in food value chains, with a special focus on South and Southeast Asia (e.g. sustainability standards in the tea, palm oil, coffee, cotton sectors)

learn about the UN Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their role in the value chain management of food businesses 

analyze the decision-making procedures that define the standard-setting process, with a focus on women's representation

develop communication and research tools and skills to make informed judgements about complex sustainability issues

Course description: Overall, the aim of the module for this summer is to deepen students' awareness of strategic decision-making in agri-food companies, reflecting contemporary issues in global supply chains.

Day and time: Every Tuesday from 8 am - 12 noon.