La Via Campesina | e-newsletter | August 2017
by La Via Campesina
La Via Campesina | e-newsletter | August 2017
Donate [1]
This edition of the newsletter is the result of a collective effort of
organisations, which are part of_ La Via Campesina_ movement worldwide.
To subscribe click here [2]
LA VIA CAMPESINA CALLS FOR A GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST THE WTO AND
FTAS
During these 20+ years of struggle against the WTO, the world's peoples
have resisted its attempt to globalize everything, including the food
and agricultural systems, for the benefit of the TNCs. Our struggles
have been the biggest impediment to the advance of the WTO, and there is
no doubt that La Via Campesina has played a decisive part. Our
resistance to market liberalisation under this neoliberal regime has
continued since the Uruguay round conducted within the framework of the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Ever since, La Via
Campesina has mobilised against almost all of the Ministerial
Conferences since Seattle (1999) and Cancún (2003) - where OUR BROTHER
LEE KYUNG HAE, HOLDING A BANNER DECLARING THAT "THE WTO KILLS PEASANTS",
SACRIFICED HIS OWN LIFE - and up to Bali (2013) and Nairobi (2015).
This year, from the 8th to the 15th of December, a La Via Campesina
international delegation will be in Buenos Aires to take an active part
in the numerous civil society mobilisations, forums, and discussions. We
will be there to identify the WTO as the criminal organisation that it
is and to raise the flag of Food Sovereignty. We will call out all the
Governments, who after having realised the weakening of WTO, have
resorted to Bilateral and Regional Mega Free Trade Agreements, that
threaten to annihilate our food systems, just like WTO has done it over
the last two decades. Read More [3]
FEATURED ARTICLES
GLOBAL PEASANT MOVEMENT ASSESSES AND RESPONDS TO A HEATED POLITICAL
MOMENT
By going home to work the land, peasants know they are engaging in one
of the most political acts of all: agriculture.. Read More [4]
OLIVE HARVEST CAMPAIGN 2017 ANNOUNCEMENT
This year's campaign is inviting international volunteers to stay with
farmers; help them in the olive harvest, have long discussions, and
experience the Palestinian culture. Read More [5]
CRITIQUE OF CAPITALISM IS ESSENTIAL TO THE STRUGGLE FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
Ayla Fenton, a young farmer and Youth President of NFU Canada, warns
that that a national food policy will do nothing to advance food
sovereignty unless it challenges the capitalist structure . Read More
[6]
PEASANTS DEBATE ON GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION DIVERSITY
"Many people in the countryside are killed for being of a different
sexual orientation than the ones represented in the
heteronormativemodel. We need to take a political position in support of
LGBTI* comrades" Read More [7]
RECLAIMING THE FOOD SYSTEM: EXPERIENCES FROM THE IALA, MARÍA CANO,
COLOMBIA
The IALA model is a Pan-Latin American project, promoted by the
transnational peasant organization La Vía Campesina (LVC), to attain
Food Sovereignty through agroecology. Read More [8]
SOUTHERN AFRICA: COMMUNITIES EXPOSE CORPORATE ABUSE AT THE PERMANENT
PEOPLE´S TRIBUNAL
Cases of corporate abuse in Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius,
Tanzania and Zambia presented at the second session of hearings of the
Permanent People´s Tribunal which took place from 17th to 18th August.
PEASANT FAMILIES IN NE SRI LANKA FACE EVICTIO AS YAN OYA PROJECT NEARS
COMPLETION
Yan Oya, a mega-irrigation project in Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka
has so far destroyed over 5400 hectares of farm and forest land,
including 238 water bodies and displacing over 340 families, according
to MONLAR - a member of La Via Campesina. Read More [9]
SOLIDARITY AT THE VII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
A compilation of several solidarity statements that were issued and
motions that were made at the VII International Conference of La Via
Campesina. Read [10]More [11]
THE MANY COLOURS OF CORN
Amrita Bhoomi, founded by farmer leader M D Nanjundaswamy, is situated
at the foothills of B R Hills. Volunteers at this centre regularly visit
the podu, or settlements, of the Soliga tribe who reside in these hills.
Read More [12]
SMALL-SCALE, AGROECOLOGICAL FARMS PRODUCE HIGH YIELDS: SURVEY
_"A Matter of Scale"_ is a survey report that highlights how a diverse
and vibrant sector of small farms is providing employment, attracting
new entrants and incubating entrepreneurs. Read More [13]
IN SUPPORT OF CÉDRIC HERROU : STOP THE CRIMINALIZATION OF MIGRANTS
No one is illegal, and he/she who helps people in need should not be
prosecuted, but should instead be recognized for their humanitarian
contribution. Read More [13]
'AGROECOLOGY IS ALSO ABOUT HOW WE WORK WITH EACH OTHER AS PEOPLE'
At the VII Conference, four young peasant delegates from Canada, the
United Kingdom, Puerto Rico and Nepal explain what agroecology means to
them. Read More [7]
PAKISTAN: PEASANTS STRUGGLING FOR LAND RIGHTS AT OKARA BEING
CRIMINALISED
Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee condemns the imprisonment and
continued ill-treatment of peasant leader Mehar Abdul Sattar. He has
been at the forefront of the struggle for land rights at Okara Military
Farms. Read More [14]
SPI INDONESIA REIGNITES AND RE-IMAGINES A MOVEMENT FOR PEASANT-LED COOPS
The struggle for agrarian reform can only succeed when peasant
communities cultivate and manage their crops collectively. It is
important for cooperatives to take back the control of the agriculture
chain back from the big corporations and farm estates. Read More [15]
FEATURED PUBLICATIONS
[16]
TITLE: Peasants Fighting for Justice: Cases of Violations of Peasants'
Human Rights
These cases have been compiled by the La Via Campesina's worldwide
members in a unique effort to systematise the violations of the human
rights of peasant men and women.
EDITION: July, 2017
Download the PDF (3 MB) [17]
FEATURED VIDEOS
[18]
Step up the fight against agribusiness, Unite for Food Sovereignty
Watch Video [19]
YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AUTONOMY OF OUR MOVEMENT
-------------------------
As a supporter who has contributed financial resources to La Via
Campesina, and as an activist who joins us on the streets and in the
fields, your support is always welcome and put to good use.
You can renew your contribution to La Via Campesina by clicking [1]here.
[1]
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Twitter [20]
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Facebook [21]
[22]
Vimeo [22]
To unsubscribe from the distribution list click here [2]
For questions or comments, email LVCWEB(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG
WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [23]
TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [24]
To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [2]
Links:
------
[1] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/
[2] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en
[3]
https://viacampesina.org/en/la-via-campesina-calls-global-week-action-wto...
[4]
https://viacampesina.org/en/global-peasant-movement-assesses-responds-hea...
[5]
https://viacampesina.org/en/olive-harvest-campaign-announcement-2017-cont...
[6]
https://viacampesina.org/en/critique-capitalism-essential-struggle-for-fo...
[7]
https://viacampesina.org/en/la-via-campesina-peasants-initiate-debate-gen...
[8]
https://viacampesina.org/en/reclaiming-the-food-system-instituto-agroecol...
[9]
https://viacampesina.org/en/300-peasant-families-north-eastern-sri-lanka-...
[10]
https://viacampesina.org/en/summary-of-solidarity-statements-motions-vii-...
[11]
https://viacampesina.org/en/vii-international-conference-youth-assembly-d...
[12] https://viacampesina.org/en/many-colours-corn/
[13]
https://viacampesina.org/en/survey-shows-small-scale-agroecological-farms...
[14]
https://viacampesina.org/en/pakistan-kissan-rabita-committee-condemns-imp...
[15]
https://viacampesina.org/en/serikat-petani-indonesia-encourages-peasant-c...
[16]
https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/videos/1504122602991639/
[17]
https://viacampesina.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Peasants-F...
[18] https://vimeo.com/226664858
[19] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Fifth-International-Women-s?lang=en
[20] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina
[21] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/
[22] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina
[23] http://www.viacampesina.org
[24] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org
7 years, 3 months
Mexico Earthquake: Urgent call for economic assistance and solidarity!
by La Via Campesina
MEXICO EARTHQUAKE: LA VIA CAMPESINA NORTH AMERICA CALLS FOR ECONOMIC
ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY!
In recent days, several disasters have hit Mexico leaving devastation
and much suffering mainly in rural and indigenous areas where many of
our brothers and sisters of La Via Campesina are. The situation is
particularly serious in Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero and other states. In
some places there have been floods and destruction of plantations and
the collapse of houses and other buildings. Many sisters and brothers
have stayed in the street. But in addition there have been deaths and
many families today heal their wounded.
The earthquake of September 19 in Mexico City has aggravated the
situation. In a number of areas, such as Xochimilco, Tlalpan, Contreras
and others where migrant families live mainly in the big city in search
of means of subsistence, they have lost everything they had, including
their dwellings and plots. Many children and old people have lost their
lives and many more are seriously injured or missing.
Therefore, we call for international solidarity with the people of
Mexico. The North American Region of La Via Campesina is asking for
urgent economic assistance to support our sisters and brothers, peasants
and indigenous peoples of Mexico to rebuild their lives, their homes,
their plots and their communities.
Today our sisters and brothers in Mexico urgently need the broadest
material solidarity of our organizations, our regions and our allied
movements. As we pointed out in Derio during our Seventh International
Conference: "It is time to build a fraternal world of solidarity among
peoples."
CONTRIBUTE ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE [1]
We thank you in advance for your attention to this urgent call for
solidarity and we encourage you to mobilize your members and your allies
and friends to donate in support of the people of Mexico and
particularly of La Via Campesina Mexico.
On behalf of the North American Region,
Joan Brady and Carlos Marentes, Mr.
Coordinators
_A USGS map shows the earthquake that struck Mexico late Sept. 7, 2017_
Links:
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[1] https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/lvcmexicosolidarity2017
7 years, 3 months
Nyéléni Newsletter: Advancing Food Sovereignty (June Edition)
by La Via Campesina
NYÉLÉNI NEWSLETTER: ADVANCING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the historic International
Forum on Food Sovereignty that was held Mali in 2007. Nyéléni has since
become a space of praxis, to convene, synergise and build forces to
strengthen the different conditions for food sovereignty. As the
paradigm of food sovereignty has expanded, so too have threats against
it. These threats are being confronted at multiple fronts and levels by
the growing global movement for food sovereignty. The recurring crises
the world is facing are inherent to capitalism which is adept at
re-inventing itself to maintain structural power. Tinkering with the
wiring of the capitalist model will do little good.
What is needed is deep systemic change, a complete paradigm shift from
competitiveness to solidarity, from extractivism to respect and from
exploitation to dignity. This is the paradigm of food sovereignty, which
the global movement is advancing through diverse knowledge, capacities,
resources and social bases.
Click here to download the June English edition [1] or read it directly
in the website at www.nyeleni.org [2] !
Links:
------
[1] http://www.nyeleni.org/ccount/click.php?id=113
[2] http://www.nyeleni.org/
7 years, 3 months
La Via Campesina calls for a Global Week of Action against the WTO and FTAs as the 11th Ministerial Conference draw closer
by La Via Campesina
SEPTEMBER 10, THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WTO AND FTAS
Today, La Via Campesina is calling upon social movements and civil
society organisations of the world to mobilise and organise our
resistances against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Free Trade
Agreements (FTAs), build solidarity alliances and prepare for a
worldwide week of action in December, coinciding with the 11th
International Ministerial that is scheduled to take place in Argentina.
For the first time since its inception, the World Trade Organization
(WTO) is planning to meet in Latin America. From the 10th to the 13th of
December, Mauricio Macri's government will host the WTO's 11th
Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Entrepreneurs,
ministers, chancellors, and even presidents will be there. To do what?
To demand more "freedom" for their companies, more "ease of doing
business" for exploiting workers, peasants, indigenous people, and
taking over land and territories. In other words, less "restrictions" on
transnational wastage.
Since its beginnings in 1995 as derivative of General Agreement on
Tariff and Trade (GATTs), the World Trade Organization has promoted the
most brutal form of capitalism, better known as trade liberalization. At
successive Ministerial Conferences, the WTO has set out to globalize the
liberalisation of national markets, promising economic prosperity at the
cost of sovereignty. In more or less the same terms, by its
"liberalization, deregulation and privatization", which is called
Package of Neoliberalism, WTO has encouraged the multiplication of free
trade agreements (FTAs) between countries and regional blocs, etc. On
this basis and by making use of governments that have been co-opted, the
world's largest transnational corporations (TNCs) are seeking to
undermine democracy and all of the institutional instruments for
defending the lives, the territories, and the food and agricultural
ecosystems of the world's peoples.
In the previous Ministerial Conference (MC) in Nairobi in 2015, WTO had
made six decisions on agriculture, cotton and issues related to LDCs.
The agricultural decisions cover commitment to abolish export subsidies
for farm exports, public stockholding for food security purposes, a
special safeguard mechanism for developing countries, and measures
related to cotton. Decisions were also made regarding preferential
treatment for least developed countries (LDCs) in the area of services
and the criteria for determining whether exports from LDCs may benefit
from trade preferences.
This year, with Macri Inc. in the Casa Rosada (Government House in
Argentina), the coup leader Michel Temer in the Palacio del Planalto
(the oficial workplace of the president of Brazil), and Brazilian
Roberto Azevedo as its Director General, the WTO wants to return to the
subject of agriculture, to put an end to small-scale fishing, and to
make progress with multilateral agreements such as the misnamed General
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Notwithstanding the misleading
protectionist statements coming from Washington and London, the WTO will
meet again to try to impose the interests of capital at the cost of
Planet Earth, of the democratic aspirations of the world's peoples, and
of life itself.
During these 20+ years of struggle against the WTO, the world's peoples
have resisted its attempt to globalize everything, including the food
and agricultural systems, for the benefit of the TNCs. Our struggles
have been the biggest impediment to the advance of the WTO, and there is
no doubt that La Via Campesina has played a decisive part. Our
resistance to market liberalisation under this neoliberal regime has
continued since the Uruguay round conducted within the framework of the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Ever since, La Via
Campesina has mobilised against almost all of the Ministerial
Conferences since Seattle (1999) and Cancún (2003) - where our brother
Lee Kyung Hae, holding a banner declaring that "The WTO kills peasants",
sacrificed his own life - and up to Bali (2013) and Nairobi (2015).
This year, from the 8th to the 15th of December, a La Via Campesina
international delegation will be in Buenos Aires to take an active part
in the numerous civil society mobilisations, forums, and discussions. We
will be there to identify the WTO as the criminal organisation that it
is and to raise the flag of Food Sovereignty. We will call out all the
Governments, who after having realised the weakening of WTO, have
resorted to Bilateral and Regional Mega Free Trade Agreements, that
threaten to annihilate our food systems, just like WTO has done it over
the last two decades.
We are calling upon all of our member organisations - in each and every
country - to mobilise during this "Week of Action Against the WTO" (from
the 8th to the 15th of December); within their social and political
contexts, they should find the right time and form the best alliances in
order to denounce the WTO and the numerous bilateral and regional Free
Trade Agreements.
We insist that agriculture should not be part of any of the WTO
negotiations!
WE SAY ONCE AGAIN:
NO TO WTO!
NO TO FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS!
FOR THE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR PEOPLES!
GLOBALIZE THE STRUGGLE!
GLOBALIZE HOPE!
You can email the details of your solidarity actions to
lvcweb(a)viacampesina.org or tag us on our official Facebook or Twitter
pages
facebook.com/viacampesinaOfficia [1]l
Twitter: @via_campesina [2] / @via_campesinaES [3] / @viacampesinaFR [4]
Links:
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[1] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/
[2] https://twitter.com/via_campesina
[3] https://twitter.com/via_campesinaSP
[4] https://twitter.com/viacampesinaFR
7 years, 4 months