Headlining this international workshop was the observation that EXPO 2015 is not only a major global event in which 148 nations will participate, nor is it just an attraction expected to draw in around 20 million visitors. It was characterized, rather, as primarily an opportunity of great political significance, the success of which will be gauged by its ability to put across and put back on the global agenda strategic issues such as food security and wastage, poverty reduction, health protection, and the fight against inequality, including between genders.
These were the topics discussed at this first workshop of the Aspen Institute Italia Women in Business project “How can development be sustainable – Food security, nutrition and health: the transatlantic link”, held at the Italian Embassy in Washington on February 8 and 9, 2015, and in the panel debate “Women’s alliance for a renewed global order”, which took place the next day (on February 10) at the Consulate General of Italy in New York.
The consensus at these sessions was that it is precisely women – as the work of Women for Expo demonstrates – who will play a key role in ensuring that the Milan-hosted event receives a high level of political and social recognition, including in legacy terms, with the aim of laying bare two great paradoxes: firstly, that of an industrialized world which needs to fight obesity while developing or other countries far below the poverty line have yet to defeat hunger; and secondly, that of figures attesting to a growing problem of obesity, even in poor countries, because a lack of nutritional education means people do not adhere to a balanced diet.
It was noted that, by 2050, the world population will have reached over 9 billion, posing a question as to whether food supplies will be adequate. This was seen as a question prompting often conflicting responses, with some pointing to a development potential for the food and agriculture sector capable of meeting growing demand, while others warn of likely shortages and of the social and political ramifications of this trend. The argument is that if food supplies fall short – as happened in the crisis of 2007-2008 – riots with many deaths and social unrest may ensue, turning food security into a matter of national security.
Similarly, changes in agricultural conditions have also become a security issue, since climate change has thrown normal cycles off kilter. But while irregular cycles were once manageable due to their infrequency, today they have become almost the norm and have turned into a food security problem. Indeed, climate change undermines the certainty of normal crop rotation. It was argued that it is also against this backdrop that the issue of GMOs needs to be considered, viewed by some as an instance of technology at the service of the future of humanity, and as presenting a health hazard by others.
It was stressed that in order to overcome poverty and inequality and to ensure food for all, the world needs to change development model and embrace the path of sustainability. Hence, a new form of governance and a modern and informed leadership – and, in particular, female leadership – were seen as called for. Further deemed necessary were efforts to improve women’s education, since it is commonly recognized that there is a close nexus between poverty and lack of education, just as there is an additional link between inequality and poverty.
Also viewed as urgently required was a real paradigm shift that would entail governments investing in welfare solutions to help women work with peace of mind and be afforded equal opportunities. The participants pointed to some notable success stories in this regard in the field of agriculture. Benefiting from proper support from a major financial institution, there are already more than ten thousand women worldwide who have become agricultural entrepreneurs and have expanded their businesses. In order to achieve such results, it nevertheless remains crucial that women are able to own land, which is not always a given. Another example cited concerned a food-related business in Lagos in Nigeria, where one woman – starting with just an idea – has set up a modern catering operation with more than 70 employees. The ability of women to run small and medium enterprises is increasingly being recognized – even beyond Africa, starting with the United States, where it is women who are kick-starting the economy. What was perceived as missing, however, is a process of empowerment for a different brand of corporate management that favors sustainable development – and in this process, technology can help greatly. It was conceded, though, that there is still a large gender gap in science and technology sectors, albeit with hopeful signs of change. Indeed, the inventor of the latest drug for as serious a condition as Alzheimer’s is actually a woman.
The participants were at pains to emphasize that without merit-based selection and equal rights, companies are bound to come unstuck – something which has been understood even by the major multinationals, which now promote careers for women, including at an international level. The introduction of quotas has changed the recruitment process even for men, of whom higher standards are now required to match the level of women hired. It was observed that statistics show that the presence of women in positions of power within corporations contributes greater shares of GDP, as much as 12% according to some. The higher revenues produced by women also have a multiplier effect, especially in the food and education sectors.
Indeed, it was suggested that women play an even more important role – if that is possible – in respect of the close interplay between nutrition and health. Michelle Obama herself has taken on the task of advocating tips for healthy living. The link between poor nutrition and diseases such as cancer has been proven not just in the West, as there are unfortunately increasingly higher cancer spread rates in developing countries due to misinformation and ignorance. Even in efforts to combat viruses, Ebola in particular, education and communication are key. Along with the rising danger of viruses, the internet is also increasingly playing a misleading role, often – as in the case of vaccines – providing misinformation and causing many errors to be made.
EXPO 2015 was seen as potentially offering an ideal opportunity to combat this problem and to create a useful and more-than-ever necessary information exchange platform. It was felt that information sharing could help overcome obesity and resolve health problems. Tanzania – a country with large areas of poverty and malnourishment – was cited as a case where such information has been made available, with the result that women have learned how to fight malnutrition, reducing associated deaths by 45%. In India and Egypt, women are undergoing training in proper nutrition, while achieving the right balance between agriculture and nutrition forms part of the development objectives being pursued.
Hence, EXPO 2015 was deemed to present a challenge for those in leadership positions, including female leaders, such that women are called upon to take on a great responsibility, being no longer cast in the role of victims but that of agents of change. It was submitted that with women established in leadership roles, decision-making must be based on credibility and legitimacy, and as already happens in African countries, women leaders must also learn how to forge a community, and to respond as a community with accountability and transparency. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni expressed agreement with this sentiment in his closing speech for the Aspen panel debate “Women’s alliance for a renewed global order”, delivered on February 10 in New York. The sentiment was likewise endorsed by Aspen Institute Italia, which, to mark EXPO 2015, has decided to convene a consultation group of all strategic stakeholders with a view to ensuring better food security, adequate health protection, proper nutrition and steadfast efforts to fight obesity, as well as to identify ways of combating the unacceptable problem of food wastage.
