Berlin, Germany – Die Lebensmittelwirtschaft and International and Executive Programs (IEP) of the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley will be collaborating to host the Global Food Summit – Berlin 2016: "That’s for Eats! Orientation versus Paternalism."

Paternalism, nudging, bans – both politics and NGOs increasingly adopt these tools to lead consumer behavior in a certain direction. The Federal Chancellery established a specific department to deal with the impact of consumer nudging, and the Department of Justice and the Department of Nutrition and Agriculture evaluate different options to guide consumers by nudging. For example, institutions and distributers can choose to serve meat from sustainable sources to cafeterias and hospitals in Bremen or facilitate discussion about implementing a veggie day. 

How do consumers feel about that? What is their opinion of nudging? Do they actually perceive it as paternalism? When do they feel patronized and who may restrict them? What is the right way and with what rules? Nudging, norms, regulations or laws?

A study conducted by Prof. Peter Kenning from the Heinrich-Heine University in Dusseldorf titled, "That’s for eats! - Orientation versus Paternalism,” provides insights on this topic. 

Nudging is not purely a German topic. 151 nations execute this method in their politics, among those is the home country of nudging, the USA. Hence, for the first time in cooperation with the University of California, Berkeley, the American position on nudging will be presented. An interpretation in how far nudging interferes with article 2 of the German constitution guaranteeing freedom of action will also be discussed. 

For more program information, visit the Symposium webpage or contact iep@berkeley.edu.