Middlebury Joins Slow Foods and Terra Madre University Network
Middlebury College is one of 11 American universities and colleges that are part of the new Terra Madre University Network which is linked with the Slow Food University Network The principles of this network are described below.
As a node for the American colleges and universities in the Slow Food network Middlebury College is exploring collaborative initiatives including: more explicit food purchasing principles, a stance on GMOs, an exchange program for students, development of purchasing relationships with local and regional food cooperatives, and working with others in the network on the First National American Slow Food University conference.
Slow Food University Network: Statement of Principles
For the purpose of creating a worldwide network of universities and research institutes linked to the International Slow Food Association, the following is agreed upon:
AGREEMENT OF INTENTIONS AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN
Slow Food And Middlebury College
Provided that each party shall pursue the following objectives within their own organization and with the methods most appropriate to their means:
- Protection of agricultural biodiversity and cultures and identities connected thereto
- Protection of the environment
- Protection of natural resources and the right of populations to use these for the common good
- Protection of the original characteristics of products at risk of genetic damage
- Support, in terms of promotion, training and education, of quality agricultural food products that are small scale and economically, socially and ecologically sustainable
- Support of the right of peoples to self-determination with regard to food
- Enhancement of the rights of local communities with regard to germoplasms
- Education of civil society and training of workers in the food and agricultural sector with regard to the above listed objectives
The same parties hereby agree on a future collaboration using the following tools:
- initiatives for the exchange and sharing of experiences among local communities
- exchange programmes for academic staff and students
- back-up programmes for producer communities by experts identified by the parties
- programmes of academic training in collaboration with the communities through study periods, field experience and lessons
- contributions to events organized and staged by each of the parties
- organization and staging of communal events and of others to be identified subsequently.