Unpacking African Food Systems: Highlights of the Partnership between TNGO’s Decolonization Observatory and the Food Bridge

ROME, 3 FEBRUARY 2025 – Through 2024, The New Global Order ETS’ Observatory on Decolonization Through Public Policy has been focusing on establishing partnerships with like-minded organizations and initiatives that strive to visualize, debate, and reshape new narratives in public perceptions using the decolonization lens. Indigenous knowledge, arts and culture has been central to the conversation at an interdisciplinary workshop during the first TNGO Symposium on the State of Global Affairs and Disinformation held on 2 March 2024. It was clear the role that diasporas play a critical role in forming new knowledge by combining traditional knowledge and science to reform the African food system. The role of women and young people was central in this discussion as were collaboration with various disciplines that impact on food choices, value chains, production and food system control.

In July 2024, TNGO’s Decolonization Observatory partnered with the Food Bridge and the Africa Museum in Tervuren, Belgium to host a summer conference, under the theme “Decolonization, Diaspora, and the African Food System.” The collaboration between TNGO and The Food Bridge was prominently featured at this event, highlighted by the presence of TNGO’s Observatory Director, Ms Paddy Siyanga Knudsen as key moderator of the two-day event. She was supported by Ms Hiba Bouazza, Research Fellow in the Observatory. This collaboration aimed to create new partnerships and alliances that further our common objectives of cultural preservation, empowerment, and rethinking global governance systems.

Key highlights have been a focus on the power of partnerships, where collaborative efforts are essential for advancing the engagement in discussions on decolonization; actionable change to drive meaningful change, empowering diaspora communities to reclaim their food systems and, by extension, their cultural identities.

Important questions around decolonization in relation to food choices, indigenous food and production were addressed, transcending ideology as well as the role of literature, language, and the role of women in influencing food systems. Among the topics explored during the Summer Conference feature leveraging the role of diaspora in advocacy in the food system: the use of social media (e.g. bloggers, documentaries) in showcasing richness of African food, diversity and drawing the lines on modern influences as well as exploring food as medicine.

In November 2024, the Food Bridge hosted its 8th African Diaspora Agrofood Forum in Brussels which was an outline of panel discussions as well as exhibitors display of products by African entrepreneurs. This three-day event has become a cultural landmark event among food scientists, foodies and the diaspora community. In a conversation with TNGO’s Paddy Siyanga Knudsen, Dr. Maureen Duru, Executive Director of The Food Bridge, highlighted how the event the deeper exploration of topical issues as well as touching on technology and cooking, intriguing sessions on mushroom farming; exploring new products such as making pasta and couscous from beans flour as well as promoting the formation of connections and networking among diverse participants. As a central theme in all Food Brigde events, it was clear the role that women entrepreneurs play but also highlighted their coping strategies and navigating challenges in the food value chains.

TNGO’s Decolonization Observatory looks forward to continued collaboration with the Food Bridge and other partners including civil society, the diaspora and academic community in 2025.

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