How PI Transformed Agroecology Dialogues in Arusha

A groundbreaking convening on regenerative agriculture and agroecology took place in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together 126 global leaders, funders, and policymakers. The Presencing Institute played a key role in facilitating this transformative experience using Theory U, shifting the focus from theoretical discussions to actionable strategies.

A participant captured the impact:

“This is the first time we focused on how to implement agroecology rather than just discussing its importance.”

While the convening was anchored in Tanzania and East Africa, it also created a valuable space for cross-regional learning, incorporating insights from the Midwest, Brazil, and India. This exchange showcased the wealth of existing knowledge and technology in agroecology. Through PI’s facilitation—prioritizing deep listening, reflective engagement, and systems thinking—the convening fostered over 900 new meaningful connections and played a key role in bridging diverse participant experiences to accelerate systemic transformation.

Additionally, 95% of attendees highlighted the site visits as a game-changer, providing a real-world grounding for agroecological solutions in Tanzania.

Participants co-created 10 prototypes designed to accelerate regenerative agriculture, focusing on policy innovation, market development, financing structures, and community-based agroecological solutions.

Key Priority Areas Moving Forward

Building on the momentum of the convening, participants identified several priority actions:

• Strengthening financial alignment to ensure long-term support for agroecological transitions.
• Advancing and testing the prototypes to refine and scale promising solutions.
• Deepening collaboration between local and global actors to foster knowledge exchange and strategic alignment.
• Sustaining the convening’s network of relationships to drive continued coordination and collective action.

With regenerative agriculture gaining increasing global attention, the convening solidified PI’s role as a catalyst for transformative dialogue and co-creation, particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. As stakeholders work to accelerate implementation, the principles of Theory U offer a valuable framework for turning ambitious visions into lasting impact.