food security courses

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Certificate programme in food security

Do you have a keen passion and interest in food security? Then, register today for our post-degree Certificate in Food Security!

What will you learn?

The certificate explores the challenges of creating sustainable food systems based on social justice and democratic decision-making that will ensure the right of dignified access to healthy food. The program’s perspective on food security is local and global covering both rural and urban situations. Participants will learn how to strengthen the sustainability of city food systems through the development of innovative urban agriculture policy and practices. They will also learn the challenges facing rural farming communities worldwide and explore the possibilities for supporting farming livelihoods and rebuilding local food systems for the public good. An essential part of the certificate is also building student’s understanding of how the food policy environment determines food security outcomes and the necessity for collaborative, inclusive, transparent and accountable approaches to food policy planning and implementation.

New course on developing city region food systems

An urban agriculture course series has been developed as part of the elective offerings in partnership between Ryerson University and RUAF in the Netherlands. Students can do this series of four urban agriculture courses separate from the certificate if they so wish and receive an official university award of completion. This session, there is a newly redeveloped course on Urban Agriculture Policy Making which highlights the importance of urban agriculture is development of sustainable city regional food systems – register now as courses start May 6, 2019.

Course offer

The current online course offerings for Spring – Summer 2019 are:

  • Concepts and Principles of Food security (CFNY403) – Foundation core course
  • Food Security Policy and Programs (CFNY404) – core course, CFNY403 is prerequisite
  • Indigenous Food Systems in Canada (CFNY510) – elective course, no prerequisite
  • Urban Agriculture Policy Making (CVFN413) – elective course for the certificate and part of urban agriculture course series – there is no prerequisite

For more information on how to register for the courses offered starting January 13, 2020, contact Reg Noble (Academic Coordinator) at food@ryerson.ca. Registration is open until January 20, 2020.

Awards

In May 2013, the programme received a national award for excellence in continuing education from the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education. In November 2013, the certificate received a North American Pedagogical Innovation award from the Sloan Consortium, an organisation that supports online education across North America and has hundreds of institutional members. The programme was the only Canadian one to receive an award.