THERE was a chance for students to meet experts at the sharp end of sustainable development when the Beacons educational charity hosted its annual conference at the University of Worcester. Held as part of the UN’s International Year of Family Farming, the event was attended by more than 100 university and sixth form students, teachers, members of voluntary sector organisations and the wider public.

Titled ‘Family Farming – A Global Future?’, the conference examined the social, economic and environmental challenges facing small-holder farms across world and identified a range of initiatives being adopted by organisations to help enhance their long-term sustainability.

Dr Alan Dixon, geography lecturer and co-organiser of the event, said: “The annual Beacons conference is a great opportunity for students to meet and interact with practitioners at the frontline of sustainable development. This year we attracted more than 100 participants and some excellent speakers, whose case studies really brought home the significant role of family farming around the world."

The conference was opened by the Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Pat Agar, and followed by presentations from Professor Adrian Wood (Centre for Resilient and Sustainable Communities), Iain Patton (Farmers Overseas Action Group), Jill Stone (Christian Aid), Cathi Pawson (Zaytoun), James Treasure-Evans (Concern Universal) and University of Worcester PhD student Bekki Griffiths, whose work examines farmers’ interpretation of climate change in the southern Welsh Marches.

Afternoon workshop sessions explored key issues such as the need for interdisciplinary approaches to land management, secure land rights for family farmers, and the importance of local knowledge in building adaptive and resilient rural livelihood systems. Throughout the day participants were able to view geography students’ poster presentations that highlighted the linkages between farming and wider development themes.