The implications of the deliberate destruction of the food system in Gaza

The Centre for Studies in Food Security invites you to an upcoming webinar on food system resilience amid and beyond the crisis in Gaza.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, the need for urgent research into Gaza's food system is critical. This webinar will explore how the targeting of Gaza's food systems is not a new phenomenon but has been part of a long history of deliberate undermining, culminating in the current crisis. This webinar will present key discussions from ongoing research that not only reflects the immediate impact of the war but also the broader context leading up to it, including how food systems were intentionally made vulnerable long before October 7th, 2023. 

Speaker: Dr. Ahmed Abu Shaban is the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at Al Azhar University in Gaza. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, research, and development, Dr. Abu Shaban’s work focuses on food security, resilience, and sustainability in conflict settings. He specializes in designing responsive post-conflict rehabilitation, early recovery, and development programs. Dr. Abu Shaban has collaborated with international organizations such as WFP, FAO, and UNDP and is currently serving as a visiting professor at York University in Canada. He has held academic positions at universities in Palestine, the USA, and Germany.

Discussants: 

Mustafa Koc: Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology, Toronto Metropolitan University

Joe Nasr: Contract Lecturer, Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto Metropolitan University; Co-coordinator, Toronto Urban Growers

Yukari Seko: Director, Centre for Studies in Food Security, Associate Professor, School of Professional Communication, Toronto Metropolitan University