ASU sustainability student contributes to international agricultural policy work in Paris
Through an OECD internship, Elora Bevacqua applies her training from the Rob Walton College of Global Futures to address income equity, innovation and food systems challenges worldwide
Elora Bevacqua, a graduate student at the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, stands in front of a display flags belonging to countries collaborating with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Courtesy photo
Growing up on a small farm in Arizona, Elora Bevacqua was exposed to the importance of sustainable food systems that promoted land stewardship and ecosystem conservation.
Striving to create impact and change, Bevacqua decided to further develop her sustainable food systems knowledge by changing her scenery of "A" Mountain at Arizona State University to the sparkling Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
This past summer, Bevacqua — a graduate student in the Master of Sustainability Solutions program at the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, a unit within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory — began working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Trade and Agriculture Directorate in Paris, France, after learning about the organization through a global governance and circular economies course at ASU. OECD is an international organization that works with global leaders and policy makers to develop public policy for better lives.
Her work there includes measuring income in various countries to address agricultural social issues and researching innovation indicators for sustainable productivity growth. She says it has allowed her to develop technical, analytical and interpersonal skills by providing hands-on experience in developing agricultural policies, as well as the opportunity to network with experts from around the world.
“This has been a valuable opportunity to learn how people experience food systems and agricultural policy in different parts of the world while also sharing my own experiences and perspectives from the United States,” explained Bevacqua.
She says these experiences with OECD have furthered her global perspective on agriculture and food systems.
“While each country has its own unique context, many issues are shared across borders. For example, generational renewal in agriculture is a major topic that nearly all OECD member countries are currently grappling with.”
Bevacqua’s knowledge and work experiences at the Rob Walton College of Global Futures have also allowed her to bring an interdisciplinary perspective to her work.
“My training in sustainability has helped me think outside of disciplinary boundaries and build connections across ideas, sectors and projects, which has been especially valuable in a collaborative and cross-cutting environment like the OECD,” explained Bevacqua.
Bevacqua also credits her work with the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, another unit within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, for her understanding of the importance of holistic policy approaches to agriculture. The Swette Center offers a Food Policy and Sustainability Leadership graduate certificate, through which Bevacqua has immersed herself in the role of governance via conversations with food systems practitioners and policymakers.
Through her internship at the OECD, Bevacqua has also learned about the complexity of food waste as a sustainability challenge. She sees this challenge as an opportunity to simultaneously address food insecurity and environmental strains caused by food systems. Having developed a background in agriculture and resource policies, Bevacqua’s future aspirations include the development of policies and practical solutions to reduce food loss and waste.
“My experience at the OECD has helped me clarify the topics that most interest me and the type of work I would like to pursue in the future. … I aspire to continue working in research and public policy on issues related to food systems.”