The APN funds for the Fourth International Human Dimensions Workshop, which is planned to take place from 26 September to 10 October in Costa Rica, will allow young scholars from developing countries in the region to be invited to explore the interactions between global environmental change, globalisation and food systems. The selection process aims to establish regional balance, therefore six participants and one mentor/teacher will be invited from Asian countries. Throughout the workshop, participants will be introduced to key issues related to global environmental change and globalisation with an emphasis on the linkages related to food systems. Topics will include land degradation, climate change, water issues, trade liberalisation, privatisation, biotechnology, and others. Ongoing IHDP research projects and case studies will be presented, and new research challenges will be identified.