participation

Multimedia Publication: Towards food sovereignty: Reclaiming autonomous food systems

Towards Food Sovereignty is an online book with linked video and audio files. The first 6 chapters, available here, begin to describe the ecological basis of food and agriculture, the social and environmental costs of modern food systems, and the policy reversals needed to democratize food systems. The video and audio clips show farmers, indigenous peoples and consumers all working to promote food sovereignty, it highlights the importance of locally controlled food systems to sustain both people and nature.
 

Forest Governance Learning Group

The Forest Governance Learning Group is an informal alliance of in-country groups and international partners currently active in eight African and three Asian countries. We aim to connect those marginalised from forest governance to those controlling it, and to help both do things better.

Sustaining local food systems, agricultural biodiversity and livelihoods

Update: Read the Open Letter of the Peoples of Cusco (PDF) to the FAO Director General, Feb. 10.

On 26 February 2010, Peruvian indigenous organizations, local government bodies and civil society organizations in Cusco, Peru, held a meeting to formulate a strategic response to a FAO ABCD10 starting on 1 March that will push for greater use of genetically modified organisms. A demonstration through the ancient Inca streets followed up this multi-stakeholder gathering. The meeting produced a Declaration which underlines that the FAO agenda does not represent the best approach for tackling agricultural challenges, including those brought by climate change.

Crisis in policymaking for people and planet demands new politics of inclusion

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 27/01/2010 - 16:50

A multimedia publication launched today by the International Institute for Environment and Development calls for a new approach to policymaking that gives citizens a greater say in decisions that affect them.

Crisis in policymaking for people and planet demands new politics of inclusion

Strengthening local voices in the governance of food systems, land use and the environment

The aim of this action research is to identify and support processes that can help democratise the governance of food systems, land use and the environment. It seeks to find more equitable ways of including citizens in policy making and in the design of technologies and institutions that shape food systems and the environment.

Strengthening local voices policy debates on climate change, agro-fuels and the food-energy nexus

National and global debates on climate change strategies around agrofuels and agricultural development have had little input from civil society, particularly from groups traditionally excluded from policy processes such as women and indigenous people.

Citizens reframing conservation policies and practice for food and livelihood security, environmental sustainability and justice

Two complementary activities are being carried out to allow citizens’ to assess, re-imagine and influence conservation policies and practice:

i) Creating safe spaces for citizens who have experienced censorship and marginalisation after criticising mainstream conservation practice

Transforming agri-food research for citizen participation and the public good

Throughout the world, public funded research shapes the choices that are available to farmers, food workers, consumers, and the environments in which they live and work. There is an increasing need to explore ways of democratising the governance of science and technology, ensuring that it continues to serve the public good rather than narrow economic interests.

Food and farming futures for small producers and indigenous peoples

The food sovereignty paradigm affirms the fundamental right of peoples to define their food and agricultural policies. This implies that food providers and consumers are directly involved in policy making and institutional choices.

Biodiversity offsets - challenges and opportunities

In the face of rapid biodiversity loss worldwide, highlighted in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, new approaches to promote conservation are urgently needed. The challenge is to find new sources of finance for biodiversity conservation and to develop strategies that conserve endangered species and habitats while enhancing livelihoods for those people living closest to biodiversity.

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