The world is on a knife edge. This May, world-renowned experts from agriculture and climate change to finance and technology will meet to discuss how we transform the world’s food system to ensure we head towards regeneration rather than extinction.

The two-day event, Extinction or Regeneration will bring together more than 35 speakers from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. It is hosted by international animal welfare and environmental NGO, Compassion in World Farming, in partnership with IPES-Food, Institute of Development Studies and other partners. The conference will focus on the solutions and opportunities for impact on key issues including biodiversity, climate change, human health and rights, world hunger, and ethical investments, as well as food sovereignty, soil health and practical and policy ways to move towards more regenerative food production.

The full line-up of experts now includes: Stefanos Fotiou, Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub; Jennifer Jacquet, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, New York University; Susan Chomba, Director at World Resources Institute, named by Greenbiz as one of the top 25 women shaping climate action globally; Lyla June, Indigenous musician, scholar and community organiser and Joanna Lumley, actor and campaigner for human rights and animal welfare.

The newly confirmed speakers join the likes of eco-feminist and scholar Dr Vandana Shiva; Executive Director, New Harvest, and founder of the world’s first cellular agriculture company, Isha Datar; ecologist and author Carl Safina; Founder of MELCA-Ethiopia, an indigenous agro-ecology NGO, and Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, Million Belay; writer, film-maker and academic, Professor Raj Patel; CEO of FaithInvest, Martin Palmer; and UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Olivier De Schutter, among others.

“Extinction or Regeneration is about collaboration, resolution and action. We are bringing together some of the world’s best thinkers, from a breadth of countries, cultures and areas of expertise to share solutions and help create a roadmap towards a global food system that works for people, animals and our planet,” says Philip Lymbery, Global CEO of Compassion in World Farming.

Lyla June, artist, scholar, and community organiser of Diné (Navajo) says: “Indigenous peoples are often overlooked or left out of the conversation about climate change, food security and the possible solutions. This is a mistake; we need a collective of diverse voices around the table to find holistic solutions for the whole of earth and all of her inhabitants. I welcome the chance to meet with people from across the world at the Extinction or Regeneration conference because we desperately need a diversity of people coming together as allies, confidantes, and collaborators so together we can transform dead systems to living ones.”

Over two days there will be plenary sessions with inspirational speakers, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities and facilitated action workshops to catalyse collaboration and change. Initial information on sessions below. Follow this link for more information and the full list of speakers.

Early bird tickets available until 14 March. Standard £180/ Concessions £90/ online only £80.

For further information about the event and to register, visit the conference website.

For more information and to set up interviews, please contact media.team@ciwf.org

Notes to editors

Journalists wishing to attend the conference, either online or in person, should contact media.team@ciwf.org to obtain a media pass.