Join us for a half-day public forum at the Balsillie School of International Affairs that brings together community organizations, policymakers, researchers, and local refugee communities to explore how to build more inclusive and resilient food systems in Kitchener-Waterloo and beyond.
This event is cohosted by the MiFOOD Network and the International Migration Research Centre (IMRC). It is part of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-funded project that has examined the food security impacts of COVID-19 among migrants and refugees in Kitchener-Waterloo (Canada), Quito (Ecuador), and Cape Town (South Africa). The forum will feature presentations from research teams across the three countries. We will share findings from K-W, where refugee and migrant households faced deepened food insecurity but also demonstrated remarkable resilience through community networks and mutual support.
The event will facilitate policy dialogues with representatives from local food and migrant organizations, creating space for collaborative discussion on strengthening food access and social inclusion. Attendees are also invited to a photo exhibition showcasing powerful images and stories of food strategies from Somali and Syrian migrants in Kitchener-Waterloo. The program will be available soon.
This event is free and open to the public, and welcomes anyone interested in migration, refugee livelihoods, and food security. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
