The ToNoWaste team held a workshop at the annual Technology Assessment (TA) Conference in Vienna, on June 3rd, focusing on the topic “Food is precious.” The workshop aimed to be highly interactive, and provided two methodological inputs on integrating different expertise on food waste reduction and prevention using the Delphi method along with various relevant criteria (STEEPED).
The practical part of the workshop involved 30 participants, who took action in different roles and contributed to the discussion by representing stakeholders, experts and citizens. Together, they simulated a Delphi process in the context of “Date marking of fresh food”. They developed arguments in all STEEPED categories, including from both conservative and progressive mindsets. Those who were asked to represent citizens developed visions in line with “Food is precious and the role of date marking “.
The results were truly abundant and clearly showed how valuable the exchange of experts within deliberative settings is. Also, it showed that citizens’ visions (starting from a technical topic) also focused more on technological aspects, and the STEEPED experts, who covered all categories, developed valuable ideas in all categories. The arguments they generated were not only different but also richer and more controversial than the pictures we had received from single experts in advance.
The feedback of numerous participants were surprised about the way different experts and the citizens dealt with a similar task and how fruitful they experienced the open exchange between the actors within the workshop setting. It was mentioned that a lot of (brain and creative) potential could be mobilized in this way.
The feedback of numerous participants were surprised about the way different experts and the citizens dealt with a similar task and how fruitful they experienced the open exchange between the actors within the workshop setting. It was mentioned that a lot of (brain and creative) potential could be mobilized in this way.
