Alongside the revolutionary transformation of Bali's landscapes since the 1970s to accommodate six million tourists annually, 25 per cent of which are Australian, the 'Green Revolution' of intensive farming introduced by the Suharto regime significantly damaged the traditional farming practices and irrigation systems steeped in ancient community-based beliefs and practices. The traditional culinary culture of Bali, an extreme contrast with Australia's own diverse food world, is in danger of being lost. I Made Chakra, a Balinese who was born and grew up among rice paddies, slowly saw these disappear as hotels, resorts and spas took over villages and fields to cater to tourism.

The 'ACU Bali: Preserving food cultures and sustainable food systems' program aims to work alongside Balinese communities to gain a deeper understanding of the issues and contribute to potential solutions.

Join us for a free public lecture where I Made Chakra will share the changes he has seen in his lifetime - the impacts of the Green Revolution, tourism and climate change on food and water systems in Bali - and what we can do to support sustainable systems. Chakra will be joined by Associate Professor Sharon Croxford to talk about the importance of preserving 'traditional' food cultures.

Date: Thursday 3 August
Time: 6pm
Location: ACU Fitzroy Campus, Saint Teresa of Kolkata Building, ground-level ampitheatre

Extend your evening and join Chakra, Sharon and ACU staff and students for dinner at a local Balinese restaurant. Places are limited, so register your interest online and we will send you details of the dinner closer to the date.

Speaker profiles

I Made Chakra

I Made Chakra was born in 1973 to a rice farming family near Ubud, Bali - the same year the Green Revolution introduced chemical farming to Bali. After studying and pioneering green tourism in the United Kingdom, he returned home to devote himself to sustainable agriculture and appropriate technologies across Indonesia. He works across sectors in the hope that Bali's land is restored to health to support a healthy environment, people, and future.

Associate Professor Sharon Croxford

Sharon is Associate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at ACU, and Discipline Lead for Nutrition and Public Health. She has travelled and lived across Australia and overseas and has researched 'traditional' culinary cultures, dietary acculturation and its impact on health. She has travelled to Bali many times, has seen the damage caused by irresponsible tourism, climate change and loss of traditional food systems, and is committed to raising awareness of the issues and contributing to solutions.

Learn more about the recent study trip to Bali and how are staff and students are working to preserve food cultures and sustainable food systems.