Pesticides Then and Now: Historical Perspectives on Contemporary Regulations and Risks

Outreach event held on April 23, 2026, at the Geneva Graduate Institute

As part of the Chemical Crossroads project, a public outreach event took place on April 23, 2026, at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. It brought together scholars researching the history of pesticide regulation and professionals involved in current-day efforts to regulate pesticide use. The goal was to bridge the gap between archival research and contemporary practice and encourage conversation across institutional and temporal divides. The event was open to the Geneva public, with about 35 persons in attendance.

The event began with words of welcome by the project’s Principal Investigator, Professor Amalia Ribi Forclaz. Professor Ribi and Professor Corinna Unger, the Collaborative Partner of the project, introduced the Chemical Crossroads project to the audience, explaining the main research interests and highlighting the potential and the limitations of working with archival sources. They then engaged in a conversation with two practitioners who had kindly agreed to participate in the event: Lina Fortelius, Programme Management Officer at the Science and Technical Assistance Branch in the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions; and Mihaela Paun, Programme Management Officer within the Knowledge and Risk Unit at UNEP’s Chemicals and Health Branch – Industry and Economy Division.

The two experts shared their insight into the world of pesticide regulation. They told the audience about their practical experiences with implementing international conventions and monitoring global pesticide use; about the role of international organizations as mediators between national government representatives, producers, users, and experts; about ongoing international efforts to promote sustainable approaches to agriculture and food production. Questions from the audience complemented the roundtable discussion. 

The event made clear how beneficial it can be to bring historical and contemporary perspectives together. Knowing the historical origins of the conventions that are currently being implemented help us understand the regulatory mechanisms on which they rely. Speaking with experts involved in assessing the risks and benefits of synthetic pesticides brings to life some of the debates mirrored in the archival sources. We are immensely grateful to Lina Fortelius and Mihaela Paun for contributing to build bridges between historical scholarship and political practice.