Guelph Food Fight
Think Model UN meets roleplaying game, played out across the global food system. This fall, the Arrell Food Institute invites students to step into the Guelph Food Fight, an immersive, scenario-based policy simulation.
In a world facing climate instability, rising geopolitical tensions and mounting pressure on the systems that feed us, the next generation of leaders needs space to imagine solutions and practise making hard decisions.
Dr. Evan Fraser will act as games master and participants will take on the roles of interest holders, from governments to producers and beyond, navigating unfolding scenarios that test their thinking on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, food security and systems resilience.
Teams will negotiate, strategize and develop policy recommendations over a 1.5 day in-person event in Guelph followed by six to eight weeks of online collaboration, culminating in the Guelph Declaration, a collective vision for a more resilient food future.
The in-person event takes place at the University of Guelph, with full-day participation on Friday, Sept. 18 and a half day on Saturday, Sept. 19. The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students who care about feeding an unstable world and building more just, resilient food systems. Registration is limited and applications will be reviewed on a selective basis, so students are encouraged to apply early. The deadline to apply is August 24, 2026.