2020, 20 Feb
City Food Lecture 2020 with key-speaker Louise O. Fresco under the title Neither Flesh nor Fish held at Guildhall London
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9-VT1lCJO4
2019 Jul 2
How farming can help to heal nature
BBC Future and BBC World News asked global thought leaders – people with the ideas and influence to make change – how the world’s food system can change to make it sustainable.
A shift to a plant-based economy is essential for the long-term future of food and farming, says Fresco. As the boundaries between urban and rural blur, agriculture is well-placed to lead this shift.
2019 Jun 10
The World Food Prize - The Borlaug Blog by Louise O. Fresco
The Founder of a Family Business Dedicated to Vegetable Seeds for the Tropics Wins the 2019 World Food Prize | pdf
- https://www.worldfoodprize.org
2019 Mar 7
Inter-disciplinary science for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
At the launch of the Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions (MAK'IT) on 7 March 2019, David Nabarro and Louise O. Fresco, President of Wageningen University & Research, spoke on how to work across disciplines to shift systems so they work better for people and the planet
- http://www.4sd.info/#news
2018 Aug
Louise Fresco on the art of studying:
‘Don’t do the obvious thing’
What can you learn from the president of WUR?
Two Master’s students ask Louise Fresco how you can get the most
out of your degree programme.
‘It is a good idea to keep a diary, and not just about your love life.’
- Read the interview on the website of Resource magazine, page 12
- Go directly to the PDF of the interview
2018 May 16
Louise Fresco reappointed as President of WUR Executive Board
Louise Fresco (1952) will stay on as the President of the Executive Board of WUR for four more years. This was announced by the Supervisory Board. She will commit to increasing WUR’s relevance in the years to come.
2017 Sep 20
Second Mansholt Lecture on Food Policy & Research
President of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research, Prof. Dr. Louise O. Fresco gave a key note speech and 2 papers were presented:
- The policy document Food Transition 2030 focuses on the challenge to achieve the transitions to a sustainable, affordable, trustworthy and high-quality food system in the next decade or two that will fulfil the needs of a diverse and growing world population.
- The policy document Towards a European Food and Nutrition Policy, examines current policies and practices before diving into the question how innovation can support a change towards better diets.
A forum of international experts has discussed both documents.
Mansholt lectures
The Mansholt lectures, named for the great Dutch European politician and thinker Sicco Mansholt, are organised by Wageningen University & Research to discuss European policy and issues in the domain of Wageningen University & Research: food, agriculture and sustainable livelihoods. In September 2016 the first Mansholt lecture was organised with the title ‘Towards a Common Agricultural and Food Policy’.
Organised by Wageningen University & Research
More information and an impression of the Mansholt Lecture in Brussels 2017: wur.nl
2017 Sep-Oct
Challenges and perspectives
for supporting sustainable and inclusive food systems
Fresco, L.O., Ruben, R., Herens, M.
GREAT Insights Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 4
This article outlines prospects for enhancing sustainability, resilience and inclusiveness in food system development
and indicates strategic pathways to address the different interlinked challenges |
Website The European Centre for Development Policy Management: ECDPM.org/great-insights
2017 May 13
The Reading List
Louise O. Fresco: My Greatest Fear Is Not Having Anything To Read
thereadinglist.com
2017 Mar 24
Food For All Talks
Agriculture – Food – Bio Sciences
Where are we heading and what does it mean for development scenarios?
Juergen Voegele, Senior Director, Agriculture Global Practice interviews Louise O. Fresco and Shenggen Fan Director-General IFPRI, Washington D.C.
More information
2017 Feb 15
KU LEUVEN
2017:
Honouring Stubborn Rebels with a Cause:
Honorary Doctor Louise O. Fresco
Interview: “WE FEEL NOSTALGIA FOR A NON-EXISTENT PAST”
2016
J'ACCUSE! The UN
This article was published prior to the election of the Secretary General in De Gids (literary and general cultural magazine of the Netherlands) | pdf
2016 Dec 22
Times Higher Education:
Best books of the year 2016
Scholars and senior sector figures reveal their favourite titles – read for work, for pleasure or both – published this year
Louise O. Fresco, president, Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands:
Weaving in stories about relatives and patients, Siddhartha Mukherjee’s The Gene: An Intimate History (Bodley Head) portrays the application of genetics as a potentially dangerous as well as a truly liberating idea. How much risk are we willing to take? The Gene shows that however important our genes are, we cannot be reduced to our genes alone.
Just like the protagonist of Yentl, Barbra Streisand had to overcome enormous resistance. But she would not be stopped – by her looks, her Jewish identity, a lack of resources or even her insecurity. She became a symbol of empowerment. Neal Gabler’s Barbra Streisand: Redefining Beauty, Femininity, and Power (Yale University Press), part of Yale’s Jewish Lives series, should inspire all students to persevere.
timeshighereducation.com
2016 Nov 14
Improving Market Outcomes
Enhancing the Position of Farmers in the Supply Chain
Final Report of the Agricultural Markets Task Force Brussels (pdf)
The Agricultural Markets Task Force (AMTF) was established in January 2016, chaired by former Dutch Minister for Agriculture and University Professor, Cees Veerman. The establishment of the Task Force, made up of twelve independent experts (including Louise O. Fresco), reflected increased concern regarding global developments in the food supply chain and, in particular, the position of the producer in that chain. The Task Force was asked, therefore, to discuss a number of relevant issues all with a view to improving the position of farmers in the food chain.
More information on the website ec.europa.eu
2016 Oct 14
By measuring food waste, we can manage it
Cutting food loss and waste down to size offers a triple win for food security, the economy and the environment. Blog by Louise O. Fresco | Website: Thomson Reuters Foundation
2016 Sept 9
First Mansholt Lecture:
‘From agricultural to food policy and beyond'
Lecture by prof. dr. ir. Louise O. Fresco in Brussels:
"The entire food chain needs to be able to cope with the challenges of the coming decades. We need an integrated food policy that coherently governs and optimises the entire biocycle from farm to fork, from seed to meat "
Downoad here:
Position Paper: Towards a Common Agricultural and Food Policy
In this paper Wageningen UR presents five refreshing ideas to transform the Common Agricultural Policy at the end of this decade into a policy for healthy production and consumption.
More information: wur.nl
2016 Aug 25
Louise Fresco recommends the best books on Food
Interview in Five Books | fivebooks.com
Most people are illiterate when it comes to food, their views based on a combination of personal beliefs, semi-truths and not fully substantiated scientific claims. Dutch food and agricultural scientist, and author, Louise Fresco, picks five books to help us better understand the food we eat.
2016 July 2
Greatly honored to receive the Premio Guiseppe Acerbi in Castelgoffredo for my work on food & sustainable development
Website Premio Acerbi
Articles in Gazzetta di Mantova:
- La Fresco: «Sprechiamo il 30% degli alimenti»
- Premio Acerbi, weekend finale Ospite d’onore Louise Fresco
“PREMIO LETTERARIO GIUSEPPE ACERBI”
Narrativa per conoscere e avvicinare i popoli
Anno 2016 - XXIV edizione
Letteratura Olandese
NEWS!!!
Premio Speciale Giuseppe Acerbi
per la carriera - anno 2016
assegnato a:
Louise O. Fresco
2016 July 1
HLPE report available:
Sustainable agricultural development for food security and nutrition: what roles for livestock?
Download the pdf from the website:
HLPE - High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition
HLPE has been created as part of the reform of the international governance of food security to advise the Committee on World Food Security (CFS ) which is the foremost intergovernmental and international platform dealing with food security and nutrition.
2016 Jun 25
Mind your Manners
Louise O. Fresco about the benefits of communal eating
Website: BBC Radio, The Food Chain, Mind your Manners 16.30'
It's not what you eat, but the way that you eat it. As people are exposed to cuisines from all over the world, we ask if there has been a global shrugging off of table manners
2016 Jun 12
In debate with Annie Cohen Solal:
We must look out of the corner of our eyes to see the unexpected, the marginal
Talkshow HEYU! Writers, OBA, Amsterdam
Watch the video on TZUM literair weblog
2016 Jun 8
Inaugurated as Foreign Member in the section for natural sciences of the Royal Flemish Academy of Arts&Sciences
2016 Jun 2
Organic food is no healthier than normal produce, professor says
Speaking at The Hay Festival in Wales, Louise Fresco said: "There is really no indication in general that organic food is healthier. The chemical composition of the Apple is the same whether it's an organic apple or not."
The Telegraph
2016 May 29
Hamburgers in Paradise
recommended by Forbes as optimistic summer reading
"..... a history of the many foods we eat, the state of global agriculture and a very optimistic view of sustainability in spite of the challenges facing humanity in the near future".
Forbes.com
2016 Apr 28
New Dutch Masters: The Fear of Innovation
Lecture by Louise O. Fresco, Netherlands Permanent Mission, Genève
Read more
Food for thought when discussing questions as: What are the consequences of the domination of the human species over planet earth? Are we able to control the consequences of our own existence? But also: how to feed 9 billion people in 2030?
2016 Feb 15
The state of the art and current dilemmas of biotechnology for poor
producers and consumers
FAO International Symposium "The Role of Agricultural Biotechnologies in Sustainable Food Systems and Nutrition"
Keynote Address 1 by Louise O. Fresco | pdf
Listen here to the panel discussion of TARGET: Zero Hunger Episode 3
"Can Biotech Benefit Smallholder Farmers Worldwide?" | audio
(The panel discussion starts at 15:35 min)
Listen here to the extended version of the panel discussion| audio
2016 Jan 16
To Feed 9 Billion People, Move Away From The Farmer's Market
Farmers markets are good and industrial agriculture is bad, right? Professor Louise Fresco says the real picture is much more complicated
.Radio interview at Innovation Hub
2016 Jan 9
A concerted attempt to excel in agriculture
Interview in The Reporter, Ethiopia
Fresco recently visited Addis Ababa as the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Ethiopian government launched, BENEFIT, an agricultural program that focuses on integrating all projects that have already been implemented in five major regions with high potential for cash crops. Henok Reta of The Reporter sat down with her for an exclusive interview at Elilly International Hotel during the launch program.
Excerpts: website The Reporter Ethiopia |
pdf
2016 Jan 7
Talk Radio Europe, Spain
Radio Interview with Louise O. Fresco
2015 Dec 21
The future of Ethiopia’s agriculture
Interview with Louise O. Fresco in the Capital Ethiopia | Capital | pdf
2015 Dec 3
The Times Higher Education - Books- Interview: Louise O. Fresco
Wageningen University & Research president and author of Hamburgers in Paradise: The Stories Behind the Food We Eat on her appetite for good books, from Primo Levi to Claudia Roden | The Times Higher Education
2015 Nov 26
Why we eat together
Communal dining is a quintessential human experience.
Article by Louise O. Fresco in The Atlantic | Atlantic | pdf
2015, Oct 14
Borlaug Dialogue 2015: Prof. Louise O. Fresco Book Launch: Hamburgers in Paradise
Borlaug Dialogue – Day I, Des Moines, IA, USA, www.worldfoodprize.org
2015, Nov
Hamburgers in Paradise
The stories behind the food we eat
Princeton University Press
- A Q and A with author
- Hamburgers in Paradise: 12 facts
Fresco presented her book to Kenneth Quinn, the World Food Prize ambassador, at the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue, hosted by The World Food Prize. You can view the live stream online, and you can join the conversation online using #WorldFoodPrize.
For the first time in human history, there is food in abundance throughout the world. More people than ever before are now freed of the struggle for daily survival, yet few of us are aware of how food lands on our plates. Behind every meal you eat, there is a story. Hamburgers in Paradise explains how. ....
In this wise and passionate book, Louise Fresco takes readers on an enticing cultural journey to show how science has enabled us to overcome past scarcities—and why we have every reason to be optimistic about the future.
The culmination of decades of research, Hamburgers in Paradise provides valuable insights into how our food is produced, how it is consumed, and how we can use the lessons of the past to design food systems to feed all humankind in the future.
2015 Oct 15
Louise O. Fresco member of the third Steering Committee of the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (CFS-HLPE)
The High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) on food security and nutrition has been created as part of the reform of the international governance of food security to advise the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) which is the foremost intergovernmental and international platform dealing with food security and nutrition.
2015 Jun 14
Fresco's Paradise
The successful six-part documentary TV-series, based on Louise O. Fresco's book Hamburgers in Paradise is now available in English. The episodes of the series can be viewed at: human.nl
2015 June 1
Introduction: Redesigning Food Systems for a 2015 World
Lecture by Louise O. Fresco at EAT, Stockholm Food Forum
Video
2015 Jan 16
Louise O. Fresco honors the father of slow food Carlo Petrini
At the ceremony of the Johannes van Dam 2014 award that was granted to Carlo Petrini, Jury chair Louise Fresco honored him in her speech. She said that Carlo Petrini has singlehandedly changed our thinking about food and society in a fundamental way.
www.wageningenur.nl/en | read here the speech
2014 Oct 23
Louise Fresco appointed chairwoman of FP7 evaluation committee
The European Committee has appointed Louise Fresco chairwoman of the committee that will be evaluating the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). This High Level Expert Group will start working in November and complete its evaluation by the end of 2015.
Read more:
ec.europa.eu
wageningenur.nl
2014 Sept 11
We are here to make a difference
Interview in Resource
"Louise Fresco, president of Wageningen University & Research since July, has returned to her Alma Mater after 17 years to find a lot of highly motivated people on a beautiful campus. Dialogue with the wider society is needed, believes Fresco, but so is more internal collaboration between science groups. She wants to forge connections. ‘Connecting is the story of my life'." | pdf
2014 Sept 1
Opening Academic Year Wageningen University & Research
including an addresss by Louise O. Fresco
'It is now our task to respond. To new generations, new challenges and new expectations; to promote an understanding of what options exist for the future of our food production'
Read Louise Fresco's entire speech (pdf)
It is time for a new Enlightenment, argued Louise Fresco, President of Wageningen University & Research, at the opening of the academic year 2014/2015. "We must find a new way of engaging society in the development of knowledge", she said.
Technology makes it possible to have unmanned machines do farm work: ploughing, harvesting and milking cows while monitoring the animal's health. These developments improve food production and working conditions, but is this what society wants, Fresco asked. She argued that it is not always clear what people want. The idea that 'the consumer is always right' is a fallacy, she said. On the one hand, people want cheap food, but on the other hand they want to have it produced on small farms where all the work is done by hand and where animals play in flowering meadows.
2014 July 1
First work day prof. dr. ir. Louise O. Fresco as President of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research
This morning, Prof. Dr. Louise O. Fresco started her first day of work as the new President of the Executive Board of Wageningen UR. On September 1st she will open the Academic Year and share her vision for Wageningen UR. During this event she will outline how she sees the position of Wageningen UR in our domain and the position of our organisation.
She says: “For the fourth time in my life I enter Wageningen full of anticipation! First as a student, then as a PhD candidate, later as professor, and now as President of the Executive Board. My passion to be involved in the World Food Problem is as big today as it was in any of the earlier stages. I still believe that scientific research and education play a crucial role in solving this issue. ..."
Read more: website Wageningen University & Research
2014 May 24
Farewell lecture at the University of Amsterdam
University Professor Louise O. Fresco provides the opening speech of the University Day 2014 and also her farewell lecture (in Dutch) at the University of Amsterdam. She tells the story behind the creation of the documentary series "Fresco's Paradise"
2014 Apr 24
Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences, Brussels
Louise O. Fresco was appointed corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences, the Section of Technical Sciences, Brussels, Belgium | web
2014 March
Comenius Award
The Comenius Price 2014 has been awarded to Professor Louise O. Fresco. She receives the prize for her unwavering commitment to bring science among the general public.
2014 March
The Insect Cookbook: Food for a Sustainable Planet
Arnold van Huis, Henk van Gurp, and Marcel Dicke
The Definitive Guide to Insects as a Sustainable Food Source.
In The Insect Cookbook, two entomologists and a chef make the case for insects as a sustainable source of protein for humans and a necessary part of our future diet. They provide consumers and chefs with the essential facts about insects for culinary use, with recipes simple enough to make at home yet boasting the international flair of the world’s most chic dishes.
Preface by Louise O. Fresco / Columbia University Press| web
2014 Feb
Distinguished visiting scholar of South Africa 2014
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF) invited Louise O Fresco as distinguished scholar. She gave lectures titled Changing patterns of food production and consumption in the world and Africa at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and ASSAF in Hatfield Pretoria, at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), at the University of Fort Hare in Alice (See photo right: with host prof. Voster Muchenje) and at the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN) Life Sciences Campus in Pietermaritzburg.
South African Journal of Science, Commentary:
Some thoughts about the future of food and agriculture | pdf
Farmer's weekly, Interview:
Commitment will feed world | pdf
Farmer's weekly, By Invitation:
No more wishful thinking | pdf
2014, Jan 27
Louise O. Fresco new President of Wageningen University & Research
Professor Louise O. Fresco has been appointed as President of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research with effect from 1 July 2014. She is currently University Professor at the University of Amsterdam, as well as an Honorary Professor at Wageningen University & Research. She will succeed Aalt Dijkhuizen, who, after 12 years of service, will step down as chairman of the Wageningen University & Research board on 1 March. More information: website Wageningen University & Research
2013, Dec 4
How to feed the world in 2050? European Parliament Brussels
This workshop is focused on what is Europe’s role in feeding the world in 2050? It will bring the findings and the synthesis report of the five parallel studies related to ‘Technology options for feeding 10 billion people’, as well as presentations by high level scientists in the different topics.
Keynote Speech by Louise O. Fresco: 'Food in times of scarcity and abundance'
- Presentation of the keynote | video
2013, Oct 13
Fresco's Paradise
Six-part TV series based on Louise O. Fresco's book Hamburgers in Paradise starting on 13 October, 2013 on Dutch TV, by HUMAN (Fresco's Paradijs, 18.50 uur, Nederland 2). This series is released on DVD, with English subtitles by Rubinstein
2013, Oct 4
World Science Festival in Amsterdam
The WSF Amsterdam will return on September 6 & 7, 2014 with world-class science programming designed to inspire, educate and entertain audiences of all ages. In October, 2013 WSF presented a three-day preview event at multiple venues in the City of Amsterdam. Louise O. Fresco is one of the ambassadors. | web
2013, Sept 5
Food is a serious issue
Dick de Zeeuw Lecture 2013 with Prof. Dr. Ir. Louise Fresco.
This year Prof. Dr. Ir. Louise Fresco speaks at the 3rd Dick de Zeeuw lecture titled Food is a serious issue | pdf | web |
2013, Aug 11
What's wrong with what we eat? (Playlist 9 talks)
It's easy to worry about food: Are we eating the wrong stuff? What about people who don't have enough to eat? These talks examine the problems -- and some compelling solutions.
Playlists, Collections for Curious Minds.
Curated by TED | video
2013, Jul 17
Starved for Science
How technological progress can help to feed the world
Article by Louise O. Fresco, published in Visionary Voices by Project Syndicate. Also in The Independent and other international newspapers (translated in many languages) | web
2013, May 6
Q&A with prof Louise Fresco: Hamburgers in Paradise
Interview UvA in the spotlight, University of Amsterdam | pdf | web
2013, Mar 21
Prof. Louise O. Fresco has been appointed honorary member of the Royal Institute of Engineers in the Netherlands (KIVI NIRIA)
In his speech, Martin van Pernis, president of KIVI NIRIA, expressed his appreciation for the significant contributions Fresco has made to sustainability issues from a social context. As an engineer, Fresco stresses the role of technology and science in a balanced way. She is capable of entering into dialogue with everyone in an effortless fashion and elevating the discussion to global level.
KIVI NIRIA is the Dutch association for engineers and engineering students, and provides opportunities to develop knowledge and share it with other professionals. The promotion of technology in society is one of the spearheads of KIVI NIRIA
| web
2013, Mar 15
Louise O. Fresco wins Dies award for outstanding alumnus of Wageningen University & Research
A treaty on animal production and other revisions in the Book of Agriculture and Food | pdf | web
2013, Mar 5
Louise Fresco on European fear of global change in agriculture
African Technology Development Forum
2013, Feb 22
The GMO Stalemate in Europe - Science Magazine
Editorial by Louise O. Fresco | sciencemag.org | pdf
2013, 11 Feb
The Private Sector and Sustainable Growth
Jan Peter Balkenende, former Dutch Prime Minister, Partner at Ernst & Young, and Chair of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition delivered the SID Lecture ‘The Private Sector and Sustainable Growth’. Louise O. Fresco, shared her comments and led the discussion with the audience| pdf
2013, Jan 28
Food, Scarcity and Abundance
Lecture Louise O. Fresco at the 200th Commemorative Meeting of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry
video (lecture on this video starts at 16:42) |
pdf of speech
2012, Dec 9
Genetics in Agriculture and the Environment:
Where Are We Going and How Do We Get There?
Afternoon Discussion Panels
Nobel Week Dialogue, Stockholm
Panellists:Dominic Barton, Torbjörn Fagerström, Louise Fresco,Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard and Tikki Pang (Pangestu)
Moderator:Matt Ridley| www.nobelprize.org
2012, Dec 7
Louise Fresco, the Idealist – A short Q&A
Interview - Nobel Week Dialogue, Stockholm | pdf
2012, Oct 30
The Future of Food
Presentation first copy of new book by Adjiedj Bakas | video
2012, Oct 11
Primeval Landscapes, Deep Time
Essay in Ideal Real Landscape or Real Ideal Landscape, Willem Sanders | web | pdf
2012, Aug 31
Opportunities and dilemmas of a bio-based economy
Comment on "Food vs fuel is corny" by Economist contributing editor Dougal Thomson, The Economist Group, ManagementThinkingBlog | pdf
2012, Feb 8
Embracing the Opportunities of Public-Private Partnerships
Economist Conferences: Embracing the Opportunities of Public-Private Partnerships | video
2012
Two Types of Curiosity
Article in 380 Years Curiosity, University of Amsterdam | pdf
2011
Michael Pollan's Misguided Food Nostalgia
Article in Zesterdaily | web
2010
Climate change assessment.
Review of the processes and procedures of the IPCC
Report by the InterAcademy Council’s international scientific team appointed by the United Nations to investigate the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) | pdf | more information: www.interacademycouncil.net
2009
Louise O. Fresco on feeding the whole world
A powerful thinker and globe-trotting advisor on sustainability, Louise Fresco says it's time to think of food as a topic of social and economic importance on par with oil — that responsible agriculture and food consumption are crucial to world stability.
Performance TED, U.S.A. | video
Mansholt Lecture September 2017: 2 documents
Position Paper Mansholt Lecture 2016: Towards a Common Agricultural and Food Policy
Louise O. Fresco riceverà il Premio speciale Giuseppe Acerbi 2016 alla carriera.
Louise O. Fresco, Margot Dijkgraaf, Annie Cohen-Solal
Inaugurated as Foreign Member in the section for natural sciences of the Royal Flemish Academy of Arts&Sciences
left: Dirk van Dyck, right: Dirk Inzé
Hamburgers in Paradise
The stories behind the food we eat
The Johannes van Dam 2014 award that was granted to Carlo Petrini
Photo: Monique Kooijmans
Video of lecture at EAT, Stockholm Food Forum 2015
Professor Louise O. Fresco has been appointed as President of the Executive Board of Wageningen UR with effect from 1 July 2014
Fresco's Paradise now available on DVD (English subtitles)
Photo: University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa, host prof. Voster Muchenje with Louise O. Fresco
Louise O. Fresco wins Dies award for outstanding alumnus of Wageningen University
Editorial by Louise O. Fresco in Science Magazine
Lecture Louise O. Fresco at the 200th Commemorative Meeting of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry
TEDtalk, February 2009, in Long Beach, California