Emerging from the Open Forum on Food Systems Transformation with a deep sense of unity, togetherness and commitment to Women empowerment and Peace
On March 5th 2026, Climate Bridges convened a series of events and dialogues both at the United Nations in Geneva and at the Domaine de Saugey in Satigny, bringing together its community members, its strategic partners such as the Global Conscious Food Systems Alliance, and a larger audience of change-makers from around the world. What emerged from the Open Forum on Food Systems Transformation, Women Leadership and Peace was a strong sense of togetherness, unity and collective resilience, despite a challenging geopolitical context.
Ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, and within the frame of the International Year of Women Farmers, we were pleased to host the launch of the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA) Switzerland Alliance, and celebrate the leadership of some truly inspiring women leaders and women farmers transforming food systems in their communities and home countries in Africa and Europe.
Driven by a dynamic agenda and a dedicated organizing committee, this space unfolded during the afternoon of March 5th, with a morning prequel at the Palais des Nations for the consultation on Transforming food systems to protect human rights and prevent climate harm from the Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights. The afternoon proceedings commenced with an open-air mindfulness session, designed to cultivate connections between the participants, their internal state and with the surrounding nature. This grounding exercise served a purpose: to embed an ecological consciousness into the group’s mindset, ensuring that these nature-centric reflections would inform the subsequent activities.
The Annual Climate Bridges General Assembly included an interactive and inclusive dialogue making space for a broad spectrum of perspectives regarding the topic for the event: the future of food systems. This diversity of outlooks, while enriching, underscored a challenge: the need to find a unified vision capable of guiding the Climate Bridges community toward common objectives. Atim’s comment -noting that “the only way out is together” -perfectly distilled the collaborative nature of the work that lies ahead.
Following a formal vote and a warm welcome to the newest Board members of the Climate Bridges General Assembly -Marie-Antoinette Micheli and Katherine Foster- the proceedings transitioned to one of the event’s cornerstones: the official inauguration of CoFSA Conscious Food Systems Alliance- Switzerland. Each member of this newly established collective articulated the important role the Hub will play and the relevance of CoFSA at the global level. Every intervention was characterized by a palpable sense of purpose and commitment to the transformation of food systems, infused with active listening and a true openness to new ways of being and acting together.
After a Family picture dedicated to Peace, a moment of instrumental musique and an apéro dinatoire featuring a selection of locally sourced, organic, and plant-based cuisine, the event culminated in a dialogue titled “Women Leading Food Systems Transformation.” By centering inspiring stories of women from diverse contexts around the world -who lead transformative projects within their communities notwithstanding different barriers- this segment served as an important contribution to the dialogues on female empowerment and the start of the innovative “Sister Farm” initiative with the support of the Be One Mentoring Network. It underscored women's leadership within the domains of food systems and climate action, and the essential role of men as supporters and allies, offering a timely reflection ahead of the upcoming International Women’s Day celebrations.
In summation, the event demonstrated a strong sense of cohesion, with participants navigating the various transitions as a unified collective, and building bridges with each other, fostering a shared commitment for food systems transformation, women empowerment and peace-building. While many gatherings aspire to foster a sense of community among participants, few embody that mission as inherently as the organization behind this even
Lilian’s Nakigozi, Founder and CEO of the WomeGro Initiative in Uganda, concluded with this observation -“I felt a strong sense of belonging and community support”- reflecting on the spirit that permeated the space, and that will sustain the momentum moving forward.
With deep gratitude to Christian Fernandez Davila, Climate Bridges Policy & Community Development Professional Trainee and new member of the team, for his support reporting about the event.