Alexandre Bastos

I have long used the terms privileged and oppressed to describe two ends of the social continuum. Academic literature describes how innovation changes incumbents. Disruptors become incumbents changing the order. Today I realized that social change also happens through innovation. Here the disruptive innovation happens through generating an alternative constellation of values, beliefs and practices. The "privileged" are the custodians of the values, beliefs and practices whether as the "actors" representing them or as the "critics" who "enforce" these values. This is true across literature, songs, movies, practices, beliefs. As long as the destination of "dalit" literature is "dalit" literature and non "world" literature, as long as subaltern literature, songs and movies do not challenge and change the dominant paradigm in a manner which appeals not only to the classes, but also to the masses, social values, beliefs and practices will not change. Today there is a non-sub-altern audience to Nagaraj Manjule and Pa Ranjith. Certainly there is a non-dalit readership of dalit literature. It is only when the the quality is so good that classes and masses are impacted, that the process of social change will accelerate. I think that we are headed in the right direction. A lot of people have a lot to say. Some will say, write, sing their truths. Some will live their truths. It is these truths that will spread and change social values, beliefs and practices. What do you think?

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Very important study highlighting the relationship between increasing the complexity of farm systems through agroforestry and soil carbon. Scientific based arguments for the importance of regenerative agriculture in climate change mitigation.  

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A few days ago, I touched on the profound impact of powerful partnerships in fostering resilient agricultural supply chains. Today, I invite you to join me in a reflective discussion on the significance of these collaborations and the transformative power of teamwork. In my view, the essence of teamwork is not only crucial but also immensely rewarding. Particularly in the realm of regenerative agriculture, collaboration ensures the construction of robust, relevant, and top-tier solutions. At Unilever we take great pride in fostering an ecosystem of partners dedicated to delivering tangible actions today for the future we envision. Partnerships serve as the cornerstone of our progress, enabling us to achieve meaningful results. As we navigate an era where every sustainable investment must yield anticipated returns for both our business and farmers, it becomes increasingly evident that sustainability is not just a moral imperative but also a sound business decision. Hence, it warrants the same rigour, discipline, and focus as any other strategic initiative, our partners, their technologies and expertise help us exactly with that. Moreover, partnerships do not merely fuel our aspirations; they embolden us to dream bigger. They infuse us with ambition, confidence, and the courage to push boundaries. This spirit of ambition has propelled our commitment to regenerative agriculture at Unilever. Recently, as part of our updated sustainability goals, our regenerative agriculture program was reaffirmed as a top priority, with an expanded objective of reaching 1 million hectares by 2030. This ambitious goal wouldn't be within reach without the collective efforts of our partners. Together, we continue to learn, adapt, and achieve results, driven by a shared vision of resilient and regenerative natural and agricultural ecosystems. Indeed, this marks the dawn of a new era in sustainability. Now, I turn the spotlight to you: How do you envision partnerships driving the transformative journey towards sustainability? Your insights are invaluable as we navigate this pivotal moment in our collective sustainability journey. Anastasia Volkova, PhD Alyssa Whitcraft Andrew Wilcox Kunur Tucker Mollie Liesner Ingrid Richardson Eric Soubeiran Marcelo Scarcelli Erin Groot Hermsen Charlotte Ruetz Granier Usama Asif Dorothy Shaver, MSEd, RD

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Exciting initiative! The VII. World Organic Forum's focus on the economic viability of organic, regenerative, and agroecological farming in relation to the 2030 Agenda is timely and crucial. It's promising to see experts like Andre Leu, Sheila Darmos, Walter Link, and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Freyer come together to discuss market landscapes and future prospects. Looking forward to gaining insights into how these sustainable practices can drive both sustainability and profitability in agriculture.

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According to UN, we will be more than 9 billion people on the globe by 2050 (UN, 2016). 821 million people are chronically undernourished in the world (The State of Food Security in the World 2018, UN FAO). To feed the global population in 2050, overall food production must increase by 70% (FAO, 2009). Meanwhile, 768 million people still suffer from hunger…and an estimated 22% of children have stunted growth. (source WFP) 🎤Join my session I will be taking you on food systems sustainable transformation to combat food waste and food loss ! Link for registration is below 👇

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A sustainable form of food production - essential to future food security , yet the implementation of Regenerative Agricultural practices prove challenging in complexity and costs to many farmers…yet it is vital to biodiversity protection. Showcasing a Farmers Program running in Europe. #RegenerativeAgriculture #FoodSecurity #BiodiversityProtection

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The Activated Greens: Unveiling Plant-Powered Solutions for Modern Wellness At The Activated Greens, we leverage the power of science and nature to unlock the full potential of bioactives in plants. Our range of targeted formulas addresses specific wellness needs using a data-driven approach: Sleep.30: This scientifically formulated blend utilizes adaptogenic herbs and neurotransmitter precursors to promote relaxation, optimize sleep onset, and support deep sleep cycles. Boost My Skin: Our plant collagen booster harnesses the power of specific botanicals clinically recognized for their ability to stimulate collagen production and enhance skin health. SkinDeep: This bioactive plant powder cleanser gently removes impurities while nourishing delicate skin with a unique blend of adaptogenic herbs, antioxidants, and clays. Bloom: This targeted formula addresses hormonal imbalances in women by incorporating evidence-based botanical extracts known to support menstrual health and overall well-being. Our commitment to scientific research and evidence-based formulation ensures you receive effective and safe plant-powered solutions to optimize your health and wellness. **#plantbasedscience #wellness #bioactives #TheActivatedGreens**

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#learnsomethingnew "When the Brazilian nutritional scientist Carlos Monteiro coined the term “ultra-processed foods” 15 years ago, he established what he calls a “new paradigm” for assessing the impact of diet on health. Monteiro had noticed that although Brazilian households were spending less on sugar and oil, obesity rates were going up. The paradox could be explained by increased consumption of food that had undergone high levels of processing, such as the addition of preservatives and flavourings or the removal or addition of nutrients. But health authorities and food companies resisted the link, Monteiro tells the FT. “[These are] people who spent their whole life thinking that the only link between diet and health is the nutrient content of foods . . . Food is more than nutrients.” Monteiro’s food classification system, “Nova”, assessed not only the nutritional content of foods but also the processes they undergo before reaching our plates. The system laid the groundwork for two decades of scientific research linking the consumption of UPFs to obesity, cancer and diabetes. Studies of UPFs shows that these processes create food — from snack bars to breakfast cereals to ready meals — that encourages overeating but may leave the eater undernourished. A recipe might, for example, contain a level of carbohydrate and fat that triggers the brain’s reward system, meaning you have to consume more to sustain the pleasure of eating it. In 2019, American metabolic scientist Kevin Hall carried out a randomised study comparing people who ate an unprocessed diet with those who followed a UPF diet over two weeks. Hall found that the subjects who ate the ultra-processed diet consumed around 500 more calories per day, more fat and carbohydrates, less protein — and gained weight. https://lnkd.in/eXgtQ5FV

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REVOLUTIONISING FOOD BUSINESS: AGROAMERICA UNVEILS ECO-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE PlanetA AgroAmerica is proud to announce the launch of PlanetA, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionising the food business with sustainable practices. This innovative program underscores AgroAmerica’s commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic growth. AgroAmerica is integrating precision farming, crop rotation, and organic fertilizers to enhance soil health and reduce the need for chemical inputs. These practices not only increase crop yields but also promote biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience. Fernando Bolanos V, CEO of AgroAmerica, commented on the launch: “PlanetA represents our dedication to creating a sustainable and equitable food system. We believe that by adopting innovative practices and technologies, we can achieve a balance between productivity and environmental stewardship. Our goal is to lead by example and inspire others in the industry to follow suit.” AgroAmerica invites partners, stakeholders, and consumers to join in this journey towards a sustainable future. PlanetA is more than just an initiative; it is a commitment to making a positive impact on the planet and ensuring a healthier, more sustainable food system for generations to come. To read the complete article click on this link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/dr8hStMg #agritech #agritechnology

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Unveiling C H A T G P T 4 o - OpenAI’s GPT-4o, is revolutionizing #AI by integrating text, audio, and vision capabilities into a single model. "GPT-4o (“o” for “omni”) is a step towards much more natural human-computer interaction—it accepts as input any combination of text, audio, and image and generates any combination of text, audio, and image outputs. It can respond to audio inputs in as little as 232 milliseconds, with an average of 320 milliseconds, which is similar to human response time in a conversation. It matches GPT-4 Turbo performance on text in English and code, with significant improvement on text in non-English languages, while also being much faster and 50% cheaper in the API. GPT-4o is especially better at vision and audio understanding compared to existing models." Smarter and More Intuitive "ChatGPT 4.0 feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable colleague who just happens to know everything," says Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. It features improved context comprehension, real-time adaptability, and handles multi-modal inputs and outputs, enhancing interactions across various applications. Personalized Experiences "Personalization is key to the future of customer engagement, and ChatGPT 4.0 is leading the way," asserts Altman. It tailors responses based on individual preferences, providing unique customer experiences. Robust Security "In an era where data is gold, security is paramount," notes Altman. GPT-4o offers advanced encryption and compliance with global data protection standards, ensuring secure and private interactions. Seamless Integration "Integration used to be a headache, but ChatGPT 4.0 makes it a breeze," says Altman. It supports various programming languages and frameworks, reducing implementation time and resources, enabling quicker adoption of AI-driven solutions. Innovation Across Industries From healthcare to finance, education to retail, ChatGPT 4.0 drives innovation with advanced data analysis tools, enhanced natural language processing, and multi-language support. "ChatGPT 4.0 is not just an upgrade; it’s a revolution," says Altman. This model transforms how we live and work, pushing the boundaries of AI. Read more here from the OpenAI announcement: https://lnkd.in/eduYgC2y #wakeupimagine #FutureOfAI #ChatGPT4o

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🌱 MicroVida: The Sustainable FoodTech Revolution 🌱 At MicroVida-Portugal, we are excited to align our mission with the latest industry trends and insights, demonstrating our commitment to making healthy and sustainable food accessible and convenient for everyone. Here are some key points that deeply resonate with our objectives: 🚀Rising Investments in FoodTech: In the first half of 2024, there was a notable 20% increase in investments in FoodTech startups, totaling $7.3 billion compared to $6.9 billion in the same period last year. This surge was driven by major deals in cloud kitchens, virtual restaurants, and grocery delivery services. 💡Key Insights and Trends: 1. Return of Mega Deals:   - $700M for Wonder (cloud kitchens/virtual restaurants)   - $665M for Zepto (Indian quick delivery grocery startup)   - $384M for Picnic Technologies (Dutch grocery delivery startup)   - $300M Uber investment in Delivery Hero 2. Emerging Focus on AgTech:   - Increased funding in Bioinputs and AgBiotech.   - While alternative proteins see a decline, other categories like biotech-based agricultural products are thriving. 3. Geographical Shifts:   - North America continues to strengthen its ecosystem.   - Europe remains stable but shows a slight decline in its share of global FoodTech funding. 4. Beyond Startups:   - Publicly traded FoodTech companies increased in value by about 24%, outperforming the general market and even the Nasdaq. 🌿MicroVida's Objectives and Value Proposition: At MicroVida-Portugal, we are committed to leveraging these insights to drive our mission: - Making Healthy and Sustainable Food Accessible: Through our cloud kitchens, automated canteens, and a robust e-commerce platform, we connect local producers with urban consumers, providing fresh, healthy, and high-quality meals and fresh products. - Strategic Partnerships: We seek collaborations with companies producing traditional food or bio food as well as alternative proteins and biotech-based products to expand our sustainable offerings. - Market Expansion: We explore new markets and innovative solutions to make healthy and sustainable eating a standard everyone can easily follow. 📈 Looking Ahead: As we continue to innovate and adapt, we invite potential partners, clients, and investors to join us on this journey. Together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient food system, promoting positive impact in communities, producers, and partners. Let's drive the future of food, one innovation at a time! 🌍 🔗 Read full report at DigitalFoodLab #MicroVida #FutureOfFood #FoodTech #Sustainability #Innovation #AgTech #Investment

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I wrote an article for open innovation managers and consultants. In our experience, companies start with a lot of enthusiasm and small projects. And this is perfectly fine. However, if they linger in this "lots of talk over minor projects" phase then it is not fine. So, openwashing is OK, if it is a stepping stone towards more open projects and a clearer relationship to customers, clients, end-users. But it is NOT OK if it was a goal. #openinnovation #openwashing #innovation #changemanagement #change https://lnkd.in/dswyCrrb

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Earth Day 2024 The Urgency of Conscious Consumption: A Call to Rethink Single-Use Products and share what you have changed since Earth Day 2023 The exponential growth of the coffee capsule industry, led by companies like Nestlé Nespresso SA, has resulted in over 100 billion capsules ending up in landfills by 2023. This alarming statistic highlights the imperative for a shift towards more sustainable packaging solutions and consumption patterns. Disposable cups and utensils further compound the environmental crisis, with Starbucks alone using over 8,000 paper cups per minute, totaling over 4 billion cups annually. This relentless consumption of single-use items exacerbates waste generation and pollution, threatening the health of our planet. Earth Day serves as a catalyst for collective action, urging individuals to reassess their consumption habits and embrace eco-friendly alternatives. From reusable water bottles to biodegradable packaging, there are myriad options available to reduce our environmental footprint and foster sustainability. By making conscious choices in our daily lives, we can contribute to a healthier planet and inspire positive change. Let us heed the call to rethink single-use products and commit to a more sustainable future for generations to come. Take action today: Share where you've changed your grocery purchase and consumption habits in 2023 to prioritize sustainability and improve the quality of life. Whether it's opting for reusable containers, choosing products with minimal packaging, or supporting local farmers' markets, every small change counts. Together, let's amplify our impact and create a greener, more sustainable world. #EarthDay #ConsciousConsumption #Sustainability #EnvironmentalImpact #Nestle #nespresso #starbucks #fmcg #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalAction

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#Vitafoods Europe 2024 is a wrap!💫 💡Few sectors show so much innovation, such as the dietary supplement💊and functional food and beverages industries. Many small and large companies are developing active health solutions for gut health, immunity, healthy aging, and metabolic health. Additionally, these companies are introducing novel nutritious ingredients and flavors to meet consumers’ growing desire for a more conscious diet and overall body well-being🏃‍♂️. 🔎This is likely one of the investment themes with the best tailwind in the decade ahead. I'd love to hear about entrepreneurs and companies worldwide working on exciting projects in nutraceuticals and functional food and beverages; please share your work! #Health #Nutrition #Wellness

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Global agricultural systems produce around 4 million metric tonnes of food every year, more than enough to feed 10 billion people. So why does hunger and malnutrition still exist? 🤔 Find out the real reason behind this paradox here: https://lnkd.in/dD5DyXtu In this episode of Sustainable Tea with Shreya, co-founder of Robin Hood Army, neel ghose and I discus how hunger goes beyond missing a meal and has the less fortunate in its grip, why the NGO won’t accept money, the purpose behind the altruistic work they do, and how they developed a humanitarian network of good samaritans in India and across the world to solve the global hunger crisis. 🤍 #GlobalHunger #FoodInsecurity #RobinHoodArmy#NonProfit #Humanitarians #ZeroHunger #Community #FoodForAll #SocialGood #Sustainability 

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While BCG continues its great contribution to innovation with the 18th version of its Most Innovative Companies report, I have a serious issue with one of their recommendations. From time to time, big consulting companies continue to overhype some emerging themes. This time it is Gen AI. This report would mislead organizations to believe that if they aren't having a Gen AI project, they aren't innovative! Nothing can be farther from truth. Gen AI is an important innovation enabler. But innovation is about solving problems that are unsolved and/or being inefficiently being solved by existing solutions. Is Gen AI the only solution? NO not at all. Earlier the big firms kept pushing other tools, digital transformation, Industry 4.0, etc. Where have they gone? Would love to have your views Magnus Penker Eoin Flavin Anirban Ganguly Allan Fors Peter Glasheen Peter Schumacher Janus Juul Rasmussen Poul Skadhede #innovation #GenAI

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Mycelium beyond food? Textiles? Coffins? Packaging? What not?! 🍄 Even with the increase in interest in the sector from founders and VCs alike, there’s still plenty of room for the space to grow: “We are at the beginning of valorising this technology.” Thanks, Sadia Nowshin and Sifted, for covering this topic and hearing me out! Article link in the comments :) Maurizio Bob Julia European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)

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Hello #NewYork! I will be in town the week of June 17th to kick off an incredibly exciting #innovation project with one of our most dear customers, focusing on #AI, #designsprints, and #hackathons. If you’re passionate about these topics and are looking to: ↳Uncover AI opportunities for your business ↳Conceptualize and validate your first AI product Let’s connect and chat over a coffee!

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