Giulia Kessous
As part of my Master's in Environmental Law and Ecology at the University of Rennes, I am currently a Policy Intern at IFOAM Organics Europe, the umbrella organisation for organic farming in Europe.
Location
France, Belgium and UK
Why I joined EmGen
To meet fantastic people, learn about their different experiences in the food/farming/ecology world, try to unite, find common grounds and inspiration for a real change! Very cheesy but we're stronger together.
Interests
Passionate about farming (organic of course!) and socially just food systems, I have worked on access to land for new entrants, public subsidies for socio-environmental transition, water management...
Knowledge signposts
The Belgium movement 'Brigades d'actions paysannes' (Brigades of Peasant Action) is a citizen platform that links farmers in need with willing helpers for a day or two. More than that, the movement actively supports wider political campaigns for a just transition of the agri-food system. It bridges the wide gap between farmers and citizens! It is a great inspiration.
Educational/training highlights
I have a background in Law in France and the UK, focusing later on Environmental Law and Ecology. I accidentally fell into farming when doing an internship on heritage grains at an Organic Farmers Union in France. Since then, I kept on defending the rights of organic farmers and peasants at regional and European scales. I also explored land work across the UK as a dry stone waller and wwoofer. Can't wait to come back to it!
How I can support other members
If you want more information about organic farming, the EU bubble, advocacy, law-making etc if you have question about your future, on how to act... I'm here!
My next steps
The next step is finding a meaningful job relating to farming/food system in the UK. Beyond the job thing, I would be so down to contribute to more political engagement and action through activism/campaigning, locally or on a bigger scale. We could think about it together!