Imagine the future, otherwise you will live in another one’s dream

On 16 June 2025, a day before the start of the Healthy Food Healthy Planet Annual Forum in Serock, Poland, the Food Voices Coalition came together to reflect on where we stand and how to take our next steps. ALTAA, Cecu, Foodrise UK and Foodrise EU, Green REV Institute and Terra! engaged in discussions on how to shape the Menu of Food Voices, a document that we are preparing to share our experiences on how we contribute to food system transformation by listening to people’s voices.

During the Annual Forum, which had power as the central theme (power over, to, with and within), we shared already some of our experiences through the ladder & snakes’ game of power. The game was designed by Lucy  Antal from Foodrise UK with contributions from the other organisations. There were four groups each representing a character, in this case a young activist, consumer, corporate power and policy maker, each with their own symbol on the pawns. There were several extra features, such as certain advantages or disadvantages you have as a character related to power, or squares like “drought” that led you backwards on the board. If you had landed on one of the colored squares of the giant game board after throwing a die, a realistic scenario was presented, in which you had the choice between two options. The decision had to be taken from the perspective of the character and after consultation in the group about the scenario. It was a successful try-out with many positive reactions.

Located in a beautiful, forested area, the Annual Forum provided ample opportunities to connect with each other. The program was designed to connect with and use the wisdom of our bodies. We let our hands do the talking in depicting a European food system (both the current and the ideal system). We could immerse ourselves in the world of unusual allies and create messages to connect with them. We could also take a nap together (‘rest is resistance’) or meditate, alongside storytelling and workshop sessions to develop our skills. This way of connecting creates a completely new dynamic of interaction.

The creative approach, the environment, and the many inspiring people made it a truly powerful meeting. By approaching the huge task of transforming the unjust and harmful food system not only rationally with our brains but by using emotions and intuition and body wisdom, new insights are born and we can be more effective in having an impact. Understanding at an emotional level how  power affects us and our relationships and our work opens new ways of working. Before we can change the system we have to be aware of the system within ourselves!