5.6.1.4 Local-learning AKST
Local learning AKST is regionally focused and proactive in meeting local development and sustainability goals. It is a well coordinated multi-actor system that successfully inte­grates the different goals at regional and local levels. It suc­cessfully contributes to the goals of enhancing livelihoods, equity and social capital and environmental sustainability. Nutrition and human health are improved through knowl­edge-based sustainable, fresh and safe local diets and a re­duction in meat consumption. Balanced regional economic development and stewardship of natural resources are pro­moted by keeping the added value and employment of input production, processing, transportation and marketing in the region and through investments in quality growth and welfare services. Due to the local orientation, there is little exportation of products or knowledge outside of NAE, but more resources of low-income countries are left untouched by NAE so they can serve other purposes including the pro­vision of food, fiber and fuel for their own consumption. Nevertheless, many technologies developed for NAE could be appropriate for resource-poor rural communities also in low-income countries.
     Policies and governance are based on cooperation among different sectors, utilizing trans-ministry and public-private platforms, i.e., regional food, agriculture, health, environ­ment, rural, trade, and KST policies are fully integrated. De­velopment is knowledge-intensive, and the importance of science policies is widely recognized. Environmental policies are increasingly focused on local and regional issues rather than on global change issues. Agricultural policies allocate subsidies to internalize positive ecological, socio-cultural and economic (widening of spatial and temporal scales) ex­ternalities. Diverse and flexible financing and credit systems flourish, and rural capital is primarily addressed to serve local/regional rural needs. Systems to balance regional im­parities in capital supply are being created. Global issues are being addressed thereby enhancing understanding through worldwide regional networks and, consequently, learning from and developing local solutions. Intellectual protec­tion is not strict, and therefore many research results are available for less developed countries, and gene resources are owned by local communities. National and international trade is open, but the effects of internalized factors pertain­ing to climate and energy resources push up transportation prices. Intensive use of modern communication technolo­gies and rural and nature tourism can replace long-distance traveling and, furthermore, broaden the mindset and pro­vide entertainment. Regarding development collaboration, each sub-region of NAE has close links to its neighboring countries to the south. Universities and the private sector are encouraged to pool patents through licensing, moreover licensing is free for the developing world.
     The agrifood system actors (producers, traders, pro­cessors, waste managers, input producers, financers, in­stitutional kitchens and private consumers), together with citizens, NGOs (representing public goods), municipalities, county agencies and scholars form an interactive, open learn­ing network with different platforms designed for different needs. These networks are connected with the networks of other regions of the world on the basis of interests/needs/

goals or to connect actor groups/professions/competences. The regional networks work closely with regional, decen­tralized university systems to develop local and regional agrifood systems. They utilize the international knowledge networks and carry out disciplinary and interdisciplinary research. The networks are linked with the boards of uni­versities; they provide funds and participate in formulating the agendas, planning and performing knowledge and tech­nology generation, and interpreting and evaluating results. The interactive networks ensure that the generated knowl­edge and technology are highly relevant, locally adapted and socially contextual. They also ensure that agrifood system actors have full access to the results and get the necessary underlying understanding and technical knowledge from the universities.
     Within the universities, disciplinary science communi­ties and cross-cutting interdisciplinary science communities utilizing the developments of disciplinary work, systemati­cally interact with trans-disciplinary stakeholder platforms. Research leads to collaborative, reflexive, democratic pro­cesses to develop sustainable, local food systems. Progress provides the capacity to internalize externalities such as food, fiber and fuel that enable consumers to make knowl­edgeable choices. Purportedly open to all citizens, education emphasizes increased understanding of different values and goals, the multiple impacts of food choices and communi-cational and team working abilities. In scholarly education, attention is given to systems, interdisciplinary and participa­tory approaches, a robust scientific-philosophical base and conceptual tools to promote understanding of and commu­nication across different disciplinary paradigms. Advanced communication technologies are used at that level. Univer­sities also interact with actors from low-income countries to integrate their views in knowledge generation and to strengthen their capacities.
     AKST serves diverse, locally- and regionally-adapted, sustainable dietary and food, fiber and energy systems. Health and nutrition draw on a knowledge-based under­standing of farming systems and of local diets, composed of fresh, seasonal foods rather than gene-tailored, functional food ingredients. Consumers appreciate the cultural heri­tage. They rely on and ensure protection for the local and regional ecosystems, with their goods and services. Local bioenergy   and   renewable   energy-based,   energy-efficient and integrated agrifood systems are being developed and continuously improved. Predominant farming systems are based on biologically fixed nitrogen, recycling materials (nutrient cycling) and energy flows within local agriculture and as returns from the local demand-chain that includes processing, and from watercourses. Thus, bioenergy, food and also wood production are integrated, and their waste is used for energy and fertilizers. Small-scale solar and eo-lian energy sources are connected in the regional electric­ity network. New plant and animal varieties are developed; those fit in with the integrated systems and often carry the significant amount of diversity needed to adapt to different locations. Urban agriculture is an inherent part of spatial and city planning. Regional and local food processing and retailing outfits utilize farm- and waste-based energy and have local contract networks to purchase inputs. Life-cycle