New networks, food feminism and organic ecosystems are crafted all over Europe, Creative Östersund and our region is part of it.

Last week it was the launching of two new Gastronomy Cities in UNESCOs network for Creative Citites. First it was Gaziantep (the home of Baklava) in Turkey and then Bergen in Norway.

At the reception-dinner in Istanbul for Gaziantep, Mr Tim Curtis, Head of UNESCOs Intangible Heritage Division, said; ”The Creative Citites Networks is devoted to the promotion of culture in all it’s forms, as a driver of sustainable development, bringing together smart people and innovative ideas. Culture brings us together against ignorance, violence and rejection of the other” This is the spirit of the UNESCO Creative City Network”

I must say this is the spirit of why My Town Östersund as well since we became apart of the Network. It connects people in the region like me and other entrepreneurs with like-minded people on the globe. But we have lot’s to learn still and we have lot’s more we can do - that's why networks are so important. In September Östersund is hosting the whole network with 116 cities at UCCN2016, I bet we'll learn lots then.

Both in Gaziantep and in Bergen I met so many amazing women (and some men) running all kinds of sustainable food projects and building new food systems. For instense Agnes V. Tvinnereim from Bærekraftig liv på Landås, in Norway.

Now I’m in Copenhagen at inspiring Københavns Madhus. Their missions are many, for instance; City of Copenhagen has a target to reach 90% organic food in public kitchens before end of May this year. Now 87%! Pretty impressive isn’t? Behind this huge project – a great women called Anne-Birgitte “Gigger” Agger and many more. They also help other municipalities in the Nordic Countries, as consultants, with strategies for profitibale GOOD FOOD*

*taste, sustainability, equality

Tomorrow hundreds of chefs, producers and sommeliers from all over the world, mostly all females, are attending the second addition of Parabere Forum in Bari, Italy. Parabere was started by a woman, Maria Canabal. Katja Nyqvist – chef and sommelier at Jazzköket in Östersund and me will represent Creative City of Östersund and the region at the meeting.

"Parabere aims to create a powerful, global network in order to strengthen the influence of women in the food sector. Parabere formulates and promotes innovative action plans and debates to encourage women’s contribution to the food sector and to promote diversity in gastronomy.

By sharing stories, successes and problems, the more we will accelerate and help close the gender gap in the gastronomical sector." See this clip from CNN from last years addition of Parabere.

Why is Food Feminism important and why do we need to close the gender gap? Well – all evidence show that if we have an equal world the future of the planet will be much more sustainable. Much more in balance.

Empowering women is a pillar for a better world. To get there spells together(e), in balance. Some of the best initiatievs changing our food systems to organic ecosystems - are powered by women!

/Fia Gulliksson, food ambassador and entrepreneur 
 
#empowerwomen #parabereforum #foodinaction #uccn2016 #östersund #womensday #foodfeminism #creativeostersund