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Mexico Earthquake: Urgent call for economic assistance and solidarity!
by La Via Campesina 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

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: ------ [1] https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/lvcmexicosolidarity2017

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Nyéléni Newsletter: Advancing Food Sovereignty (June Edition)
by La Via Campesina 19 Sep '17

19 Sep '17

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/

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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 10 Sep '17

10 Sep '17

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: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [2] https://twitter.com/via_campesina [3] https://twitter.com/via_campesinaSP [4] https://twitter.com/viacampesinaFR

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VII International Conference - Special Edition Newsletter
by La Via Campesina 25 Jul '17

25 Jul '17

VII International Conference - Special Edition Newsletter Donate [1] _This edition carries highlights of the VIIth International Conference of La Via Campesina that is took place in Derio, Basque Country from 19-24 July. It brings you moments and reflections from the International Youth Assembly and the International Women's Assembly that were held earlier in the week._ EUSKAL HERRIA DECLARATION Delegates of La Via Campesina, representing our organizations and movements, are gathered in the Basque Country to celebrate our 7th International Conference from the 16th to the 24th of July of 2017. Euskal Herria is a beautiful land of solidarity, struggle, and resistance, with its own language, where the tradition of good food produced by peasants and local fisherfolk remains strong. We, the peasants, rural workers, landless, indigenous peoples, pastoralists, artisanal fisherfolk, rural women and other peoples who work in the countryside around the world, declare that we feed our people and build the movement to change the world. Read More [2] [3] FEATURED ARTICLES For an extensive collection of articles, click here [4] VII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: WOMEN'S ASSEMBLY DECLARATION We are building a feminism out of our peasant and popular identity as a tool for our organisations and in the social emancipation process for men and women. Read More [5] LA VIA CAMPESINA'S VII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OPENS WITH THE RINGING OF BELLS Solidarity, equality, social struggles and food sovereignty were the key words during the first day of La Via Campesina's VII International Conference taking place in Derio, in the Basque Country from 19 to 24 July. Read More [6] PEASANT YOUTH SHARE VISIONS OF HARVESTING FROM BETTER EDUCATION In the words of a young Brazilian representing MPA: "We have to use our strengths--creativity, energy, connectivity, and all the provocative communication tools that are uniquely ours to achieve the goal of nourishing ourselves through agroecology. Read More [7] VII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: YOUTH ASSEMBLY DECLARATION We reaffirm our struggle for land, territories and our collective right to the resources required to practice peasant agroecology as a way of life. We reaffirm our capacity, commitment and right to fulfil our essential role in building Food Sovereignty. More [8] 25 YEARS OF FEMINISM IN LA VIA CAMPESINA : REFLECTIONS FROM WOMEN'S ASSEMBLY AT THE VII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE In this seventh Conference of La Vía Campesina, the proposal of women peasants is to achieve consensus on what the movement understands by "peasant and popular feminism. Read More [9] _PRESS RELEASE: _STEP UP THE FIGHT AGAINST AGRIBUSINESS, UNITE FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY VIIth International Conference ends with a powerful declaration to step up resistance against transnational agribusiness, large scale land-grabbing, criminalisation of people's struggles, rising xenophobia, racism, and patriarchy. Read More [10] FEATURED VIDEOS [11] Shepherds in traditional dress made enormous bells on their backs chime in unison with every step they made. In the Basque country, these bells are used in rituals to awaken the land to Spring so that it can be cultivated or used as pasture. Watch Video [12] [13] The Vth International Women's Assembly of La Via Campesina included approximately 150 women peasants from all continents - representing peasant movements from 79 countries. Watch Video [14] [15] The Fourth International Youth Assembly of La Via Campesina kicked off on 16th of July, with nearly 100 young peasants from 47 countries echoing the slogan " Invest in the Peasant Youth: Sowing Present to Harvest Future" Watch Video [16] [17] Peasant members of La Via Campesina and allies took our a march for food sovereignty and in defense of Mother Earth. Voices from Europe, Asia Africa and Americas. Watch Video [18] VII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: IN IMAGES Explore the slideshow on Via Campesina TV [19] Browse La Via Campesina's Facebook Album [20] VII CONFERENCE: IN THE MEDIA VII CONFERENCE: MEDIA MENTIONS EiTB [21] Couverture Journée d'ouverture [22] Al Mayadeen [23] GARA [24] Telesur [25] Al Jazeera [26] Naiz [27] La Jornada [28] Radio Mundo Real [29] RMOL [30] Pressenza [31] Food Tank [32] ARGIA [33] LAVANGUARDIA [34] PIKARA MAGAZINE [35] FEATURED PODCASTS (ONLY EN/FR) Radio Mundo Real worked with the Communications Group of VII International Conference to produce a series of podcasts in Derio. Due to limited resources available, these podcasts could only be made available in Spanish and French. For those interested, here is the link to follow: Listen Now [36] 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] [37] Twitter [37] [38] Facebook [38] [39] Vimeo [39] To unsubscribe from the distribution list click here [40] For questions or comments, email LVCWEB(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [41] TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [42] To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [40] Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/ [2] https://viacampesina.org/en/viith-international-conference-la-via-campesina… [3] https://viacampesina.org/fr/declaration-de-euskal-herria/ [4] https://viacampesina.org/en/who-are-we/our-conferences/7-derio-2017-our-con… [5] https://viacampesina.org/en/vii-international-conference-womens-assembly-de… [6] https://viacampesina.org/en/la-via-campesinas-vii-international-conference-… [7] https://viacampesina.org/en/peasant-youth-share-visions-harvesting-better-e… [8] https://viacampesina.org/en/vii-international-conference-youth-assembly-dec… [9] https://viacampesina.org/en/25-years-feminism-la-via-campesina/ [10] https://viacampesina.org/en/step-up-fight-agribusiness-unite-food-sovereign… [11] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/videos/1504122602991639/ [12] https://tv.viacampesina.org/La-Via-Campesina-s-VII?lang=en [13] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/videos/1501642156573017/ [14] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Fifth-International-Women-s?lang=en [15] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/videos/1498743133529586/ [16] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Young-people-have-a-great?lang=en [17] https://www.facebook.com/370162609843998/videos/675299499330306/ [18] https://tv.viacampesina.org/March-for-Food-Sovereignty-Bilbao?lang=en [19] https://tv.viacampesina.org/-RADIO-PICTURES-?lang=en [20] https://www.facebook.com/pg/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/photos/?tab=albums [21] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/videos/1506408192763080/ [22] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/videos/1500619023341997/ [23] http://www.almayadeen.net/news/reports/60983/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7… [24] http://www.naiz.eus/eu/hemeroteca/gara/editions/2017-07-20/hemeroteca_artic… [25] http://www.telesurtv.net/english/opinion/Campesino-Movements-Say-Climate-Ju… [26] http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/07/decisions-170708080110456.… [27] http://www.naiz.eus/es/iritzia/articulos/conferencia-internacional-de-la-vi… [28] http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2017/07/21/opinion/016a1pol [29] http://radiomundoreal.fm/vii-conferencia-via-campesina?lang=es [30] http://dunia.rmol.co/read/2017/07/21/299903/Tegakkan-Kedaulatan-Pangan-Di-S… [31] https://www.pressenza.com/fr/2017/07/paysan-ne-s-de-plus-de-70-pays-se-retr… [32] https://foodtank.com/news/2017/07/seventh-international-conference-la-via-c… [33] http://www.argia.eus/albistea/eguneroko-jatekoa-erostea-ekintza-politikoa-d… [34] http://www.lavanguardia.com/lacontra/20170721/424270812302/los-migrantes-al… [35] http://www.pikaramagazine.com/2017/07/conferencia-via-campesina/ [36] https://radioteca.net/userprofile/LVC/ [37] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina [38] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [39] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina [40] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en [41] http://www.viacampesina.org [42] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org

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Step up the fight against agribusiness, Unite for Food Sovereignty: says La Via Campesina
by La Via Campesina 24 Jul '17

24 Jul '17

Press Release | 24 July 2017, Derio, Basque Country STEP UP THE FIGHT AGAINST AGRIBUSINESS, UNITE FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY: SAYS LA VIA CAMPESINA _"WE FEED OUR PEOPLES AND BUILD THE MOVEMENT TO CHANGE THE WORLD"_ On Saturday, July 22nd at Derio in the Basque Country, La Via Campesina, the international peasant movement representing over 170 organizations and movements in 72 countries, closed its VIIth International Conference, with a powerful declaration to step up resistance against transnational agribusiness, large scale land-grabbing, criminalisation of people's struggles, rising xenophobia, racism, and patriarchy. After four days of collective discussions and reflections on Food Sovereignty, peasant agroecology, autonomous training networks, migrant rights, trade, climate justice and criminalisation of social movements and alliance building, the Euskal Herria Declaration [1]"We feed our peoples and build the movement to change the world" [1]noted with concern the rise of finance capital combined with unbridled monopolisation of natural resources and the unprecedented promotion of dangerous technologies pushed by mega-mergers to dominate the food system with the blunt violation of human rights and nature for profit. The Declaration, which sets broad strategic direction on how to build a movement to change the world through feminism and food sovereignty, also emphasised the urgent need to build wider alliances at the local, regional, and international levels and the need to unify against the new blend of capitalism and right-wing populism. Peasant agroecology, popular agrarian reform, including strengthening and developing local markets, coupled with building and forging stronger relationships between the urban and countryside, were put forward to build food sovereignty for the peoples of the world. To do this, the VIIth International Conference highlighted the importance of continuing and scaling up the political, ideological, organizational, and technical training based on the movement's own concepts, to shape its identity and ideas to transform society. Solidarity among people is part of the foundation to changing the world. On the closing day of the conference, La Via Campesina delegates collectively defined the internal functioning (regulations, processes etc) to guide solidarity. ACCORDING TO UNAI ARANGUREN, International Coordination Committee Member from Europe of La Via Campesina, two words define La Via Campesina: "solidarity and hope". In a show of solidarity, close to 1,600 people marched through the streets of Bilbao on Sunday as part of a public action - organised by EHNE Bizkaia - that reached the city's Plaza Nueva where La Via Campesina delegates delivered speeches, issued statements of support, and celebrated with local music and dance. "_After fruitful debates, we're here closing the VIIth Conference of La Via Campesina and have come to the city to ask civil for society's cooperation and commitment to fight with us for the rights to food, land, water, and seeds. "_ SAID UNAI ARANGUREN. Two key reports were presented in Derio: (i) Peasants fighting for justice: cases of violations of peasants' human rights, which focuses on the continuing instances of attack and assault on the peasant movement and (ii) the Agrarian reform and the defense of life, Land and territories, which brings out how the struggles for agrarian reform have transformed itself with new strategies to face the changing face of corporate agribusiness in the countryside. GLOBALISE THE STRUGGLE! GLOBALISE HOPE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For media queries contact the press team * Ainara Frade: +34 671417531 prentsa(a)ehnebizkaia.eus (EUS, ES, EN) * Viviana Rojas Flores: +34 6616 41838 |+593 9952 13177 | viviana.rojas(a)viacampesina.org (ES, PT) * Andres Arce: +34 6616 41528 | +32 4895 52297 | andres(a)eurovia.org (EN, FR, ES) Website: www.viacampesina.org [2] Facebook: ViacampesinaOfficial Twitter: @via_campesina Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/viith-international-conference-la-via-campesina… [2] http://www.viacampesina.org

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Press Release: Peasants from over 70 countries meet to build Food Sovereignty, at La Via Campesina’s VIIth International Conference
by La Via Campesina 19 Jul '17

19 Jul '17

_PRESS RELEASE_ LA VIA CAMPESINA'S VIITH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: PEASANTS FROM OVER 70 COUNTRIES MEET TO BUILD FOOD SOVEREIGNTY We feed our peoples and build the movement to change the world! 19 JULY, 2017: The VIIth International Conference of La Via Campesina, the world's largest peasant movement, begins today in Derio, a quiet town in the Biscay province of the Basque country and will continue until 24th July . Over 450 peasant movement representatives from all over the world will gather to continue the struggle against capitalism and to propose concrete ways to build an alternative world based on dignity and Food Sovereignty. This conference, that is held every four years, is a unique and vibrant gathering of peasant movements and is the highest and most significant decision-making space of La Via Campesina. "It is unique because we are a movement that is diverse and yet united in our struggles. We are the people who work the land and feed the world, but our territories are continuously under attack. We face increased criminalisation. This conference is a step forward in internationalising our struggles, creating a strategy to counter the global forces of capital and building a movement for change", - SAYS ELIZABETH MPOFU, a woman peasant farmer from Zimbabwe and the General Coordinator of La Via Campesina. "La Via Campesina continues to grow. We now have about 200 organisations. We are an international political model" - SAYS UNAI ARANGUREN European International Coordination Committee Member of La Via Campesina The VIIth International Conference was preceded by the IVth International Youth Assembly [1] (16th -17th July) and the Vth International Women's Assembly [2] (17th - 18th July), which gave space to young peasants and women of the movement to voice their unique challenges and proposals in this struggle. The Youth Assembly echoed how they are the worst affected by migration. The need for social movements to invest in peasant youth and promote agrarian reform that would grant young peasants access to and control over land and territories, and scale up training on peasant agroecological practices is today more urgent than ever. Youth also extended solidarity to the '_March in Defense of Food Sovereignty and Mother Earth_', organised by the Movement for Land in Euskal Herria. The Women's Assembly drew attention to the increasing instances of violence that women are subjected to at home, in the farms and elsewhere in the patriarchal society. They also committed to continue their struggle to build a movement for change with feminism and food sovereignty. During the intense four-day program [3], the peasant movement will reflect on and debate various topics including Food Sovereignty, peasant agroecology, autonomous training networks, migrant rights, trade, climate justice and criminalisation of social movements and alliance building_. _The draft _UN Declaration for the Rights of Peasants and Other Working people in Rural Areas - _an initiative of La Via Campesina which has reached an advanced stage of negotiation at the UN Human Rights Council, will be discussed. New strategic lines of action will be defined, setting the tone of the struggle for the next 4 years, and new members and leadership will be welcomed. On Sunday, 23th July, La Via Campesina, EHNE Bizkaia _(the local host and member organisation of the global movement in the Basque Country)_ and allies will march with local peasants to Bilbao in solidarity with the struggle to defend their land and territories against big infrastructural projects. On Monday, 24th, field visits will be organised for all conference participants. Longer field visits around the Basque Country, from 26th to 28th July, are planned for a few selected representatives from the 9 regions of La Via Campesina. ------------------------- For Interview requests, contact the Media team: * Ainara Frade: +34 671417531 prentsa(a)ehnebizkaia.eus (Languages: EUS, ES, EN) * Viviana Rojas Flores: +34 6616 41838 |+593 9952 13177 | viviana.rojas(a)viacampesina.org (Languages: ES, PT) * Andres Arce: +34 6616 41528 | +32 4895 52297 | andres(a)eurovia.org (Languages: EN, FR, ES) * _Website: __www.viacampesina.org_ [4] * _Facebook: ViacampesinaOfficial [5]_ * _Twitter: @via_campesina [6]_ _Download the program agenda here_ [3] Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/future-hands-young-peasants/ [2] https://viacampesina.org/en/fifth-international-womens-assembly-feminism-fo… [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/event/viith-international-conference-la-via-cam… [4] http://www.viacampesina.org/ [5] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [6] https://twitter.com/via_campesina

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La Via Campesina | e-Newsletter | May 2017
by La Via Campesina 16 Jun '17

16 Jun '17

La Via Campesina | e-Newsletter | May, 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] THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS! [3]"We feed our peoples and build the movement to change the world!" - is the call that will carry hundreds of delegates of the international peasant movement La Vía Campesina, to the Basque Country from the 16th to the 24th of July to celebrate their VIIth Conference. The International Conference of La Via Campesina (LVC), held every four years, is the movement's highest decision-making forum - gathering representatives from member organisations of peasants, small and medium size producers, landless people, indigenous people, migrants and agricultural workers - from all over the world. Collectively representing over 200 million people, these delegates will decide common strategies and host internal debates for the growing global movement. Read More [3] NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ONE STEP CLOSER TOWARDS A UN DECLARATION The proposed UN Declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas discussed in the Fourth Session of the OEIWG (held in May 2017) is the fruit of the efforts mobilized for the past several years by La Via Campesina, FIAN and CETIM along with State parties and other civil society organisations. Read the Full Statement [4] EXCHANGE OF SEEDS BETWEEN PEASANTS IS AT THE HEART OF THE COLLECTIVE SYSTEMS OF CONSERVATION: LA VIA CAMPESINA AT THE UN Depriving peasants of their rights to conserve, exchange, use and sell their seeds, is an unacceptable attempt against human rights. Read More [5] LA VIA CAMPESINA EMPHATICALLY DEFENDS FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN GENEVA, AT THE UN Food Security is about economic rights, and food sovereignty is about human rights. Peasants should have the right to define their own food and agriculture systems. Peasants should have the right to produce healthy and culturally appropriate food, through ecologically sound, socially just and sustainable methods. Read More [6] BRAZIL: NEW MASSACRE IN PARÁ-BRAZIL EXPOSES FRAGILITY OF THE STATE IN SOLVING LAND CONFLICTS Ten squatters - one woman and nine men - were murdered in the morning of the last Wednesday (24), in the camp Nova Vida, located in the farm Santa Lúcia, city of Pau D'Arco, in Pará (Amazon Region, in Brazil). Read More [7] LA VIA CAMPESINA CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE END TO EU-JAPAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT When it comes to farmers and food systems, agribusiness TNCs from Europe - which already export about 5.3 billion euros in agri-food commodities to Japan - expect the deal to end tariffs and regulations on Japan's agricultural products and processed foods, worsening the already disastrous effects of the corporate food system_._ European food companies want to sell whatever they can in Japan and the EU claims that the exports to Japan could solve the problems in its dairy and pork sector. Read More [8] WHEN THE RIGHT TO LAND IS IN OUR HANDS, WE SEE A FUTURE WHICH IS MORE JUST, EQUAL Henry Saragih, while speaking at the UN emphasised that the right to land will democratize the economy in rural areas. "This means that we put peasants and other people working in rural areas as subject, to defend and to develop rural economies.", he said. Read More [9] FREE, PRIOR AND INFORMED CONSENT IS MUST TO TACKLE AGRARIAN CONFLICTS On May 15, while intervening during the discussions on Article 1 till 4 of the draft declaration, Geeta Devarajan representing La Via Campesina's South Asian movements cited the issue of displacements in rural areas and emphasised on the need for free, prior and informed consent. Read More [10] "WE NEED PEASANTS' RIGHTS NOW, NOT ANY LATER!" - CHORUS GROWING IN GENEVA Al Abudi Ubai Fahmi from Palestine "...[These rights] are fundamental to the lives of peasants and rural population who feed and contribute to the world. We still remember how food crisis 2007-2008 exposed the neglect faced by peasants agriculture and rural population. Read More [11] RIGHTS VIOLATION DOCUMENTATION IMPORTANT EVIDENCE FOR OUR STRUGGLE La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa (LVC SEAf) members and allies from African, Asian and European countries met in South Africa (April 18-21) to discuss the draft UN Declaration on the Rights of the Peasants. Read More [12] A STATEMENT ON PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AND THE RE-ARREST OF ABDULRAZEQ FARRAJ The Israeli occupation government continues its repressive policies against the Palestinian prisoners and people; the latest violation was the re-arrest of Abdulrazeq Farraj, journalist and UAWC's administrative director from his house, at the midnight, in front his family. Read More [13] PEASANT NETWORKS AND THE FUTURE OF FOOD The industrial food chain, dominated by transnational corporations that control food from seeds to supermarkets, uses 75% of the land and 80% of the water and fuel used in agriculture. Read More [14] LA VIA CAMPESINA: VIITH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - PRESS KIT The international peasant's movement La Via Campesina invites journalists from around the world to cover our VIIth International Conference, which will be held in Derio, Bizkaia (Basque Country), 16th - 24th July 2017. This will be preceded by the IVth International Assembly of LVC Youth and the Vth International Assembly of LVC Women_._ Download the English edition [15] [16] A PLACE AT THE TABLE" BY LANWORKERS' ALLIANCE _Duration: 4 Mins_ The Landworkers' Alliance launched its post-Brexit policy recommendations outside Defra's offices -17 Smith Square, London - on Friday 21st April. Featuring a dining table promoting the high-quality fresh produce of our members, the launch highlights the need for small-scale and family farmers to be offered a 'place at the table' in upcoming negotiations over the future of UK agriculture policy. (_Video by Jason Brooks for Lanworkers' Alliance). _To know more and to download the report click here [17] Watch Now [18] 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] [19] Follow us on twitter [19] [20] Find us on Facebook [20] [21] Subsribe our Vimeo Channel [21] To unsubscribe from the distribution list click here [2] For questions or comments, email LVCWEB(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [22] TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [23] 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/index.php/our-conferences-mainmenu-28/7-derio-2… [4] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [5] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [6] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [7] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [8] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/stop-f… [9] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [10] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [11] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [12] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [13] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [14] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/our-conferences-mainmenu-28/7-derio-2… [15] https://viacampesina.org/downloads/pdf/en/VIIth%20Conf%20Press%20Kit_EN_12M… [16] https://vimeo.com/214988889 [17] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/publications-mainmenu-30/2292-landwor… [18] https://tv.viacampesina.org/A-Place-At-The-Table?lang=en [19] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina [20] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [21] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina [22] http://www.viacampesina.org [23] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org

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Farmers’ organisations across India, condemn the police firing that killed at least five farmers in Madhya Pradesh
by La Via Campesina 08 Jun '17

08 Jun '17

FARMERS' ORGANISATIONS ACROSS INDIA, CONDEMN THE POLICE FIRING THAT KILLED AT LEAST FIVE FARMERS IN MADHYA PRADESH [1] STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE ALL INDIA COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF FARMERS MOVEMENT (AICCFM) On Tuesday, June 6, agitating farmers in Mandsaur district in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, who had been demanding loan waivers and better support price for their produce, were shot at by the police. According to latest available media reports, at least five of them have been killed in the firing. The All India Coordination Committee of Farmers Movement (AICCFM) strongly condemns this heinous attack on our sisters and brothers and demand urgent action against all officials who are responsible for this murderous act. We also demand that the State Government take moral responsibility and resign immediately. This is an incident that is bringing back painful memories of the Colonial era, when farmers and farm labourers were often shot at for claiming their rights. It is a pity that people who work the land and feed the population continues to be treated inhumanely and killed for voicing their disappointment with the State. Hundreds of thousands of farmers and farm workers who were forced to commit suicide due to increasing debt over the last two decades and several more millions across India who are facing a precarious and unpredictable future, exacerbated by extreme climatic conditions, have for long been demanding that attention be paid to rural distress and steps be taken to support farming families and workers. The demands of the protesting farmers - calling for loan-waivers, better support price - have been the demands of all farmers' organisations including that of AICCFM, since a very long time and we reiterate our resolve to take to the streets if our demands are not met. AICCFM is also calling upon our sisters and brothers of _La Via Campesina_, the global peasant movement, to condemn and protest this brutal killing and join us in our struggle for justice to peasants worldwide. ------------------------- Ch. Rakesh Tikait, National Spokesman, BKU Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, State President, BKU Punjab KS Puttanaiah (MLA), Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Karnataka Yudhvir Singh, General Secretary, AICCFM Chamarasa Patil, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Karnataka K. Sella Mutthu, President, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, Tamil Nadu Ratan Singh Mann, BKU President, Haryana Vijender Singh, BKU, Haryana Nallagounder, Uzhavar Ulaippalar Katchi, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association Rajvir Singh, BKU, NCR KT Gangadhar, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Karnataka Ms. Rajariga, President, Women Wing, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-…

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Press Release: International Peasant Movement prepares to converge for its VIIth Conference
by La Via Campesina 25 May '17

25 May '17

"WE FEED OUR PEOPLES AND BUILD THE MOVEMENT TO CHANGE THE WORLD!": INTERNATIONAL PEASANT MOVEMENT PREPARES TO CONVERGE FOR ITS VIITH CONFERENCE [1] Press release, Harare, May 25, 2017: _"We feed our peoples and build the movement to change the world!"_ - is the call that will carry hundreds of delegates of the international peasant movement _La Vía Campesina_, to the Basque Country from the 16th to the 24th of July to celebrate their VIIth Conference. The International Conference of La Via Campesina (LVC), held every four years, is the movement's highest decision-making forum - gathering representatives from member organisations of peasants, small and medium size producers, landless people, indigenous people, migrants and agricultural workers - from all over the world. Collectively representing over 200 million people, these delegates will decide common strategies and host internal debates for the growing global movement. For a week in Derio, Basque Country, representatives will discuss local experiences as well as international processes such as the Declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas [2], the negotiations for an international and legally binding instrument [3] against the abuse of multinational corporations in the UN Human Rights Council. The different regions of LVC will also present their struggles, such as the European region's struggle for a new Common Agricultural Policy and reform against the concentration of land; the struggle in Africa, for seed sovereignty; of the Latin American struggle for popular agrarian reform and against corporate interest; and the campaigns of the Asian regions against free trade agreements (FTAs), GMOs and crises caused by climate change. Particular focus will be given to issues such as: the impact of FTAs on Food Sovereignty, corporate capture and patenting of seeds, criminalisation of the movement and even the murder of its leaders, peasant solutions to climate change and agroecology as a way of exercising Food Sovereignty in our territories. There will be events open to the public scheduled for July 19 in Derio (for the opening of the Conference) and on July 23 in a march from Dario to the Plaza Nueva in Bilbao, where a public political event will be held. At a time when, on the one hand, the importance of food chains is gaining ground in public opinion, and on the other the global abuses against peasant communities intensify, the conclusions of this meeting aim to be a significant advance in the struggle for Food Sovereignty and to strengthen the work carried out by La Via Campesina for the realisation of peasants' rights and, thereby bring peace and justice in rural communities and the world. For more information on the VII Conference of La Via Campesina, download the press kit [4]. ------------------------- CONTACTS: * Alazne Intxauspe: +34 667576740 | alaznentzat(a)gmail.com (ES, EUK) * Viviana Rojas Flores: +34 6616 41838 |+593 9952 13177 | viviana.rojas(a)viacampesina.org (ES, PT) * Andres Arce: +34 6616 41528 | +32 4895 52297 | andres(a)eurovia.org (EN, FR, ES) ------------------------- During the last 24 years La Via Campesina has held 6 international conferences. The first in Belgium in 1993, then in Mexico in 1996, in India in 2000, its fourth in Brazil in 2004, in Mozambique in 2008, and the last in Indonesia in 2013. All of which have contributed to the advancement and convergence of a project Of unity and solidarity of the peasants of the north and the south, from all continents, with the horizon of strengthening the peasant movement at a global level in the search for justice and dignity for the countryside. Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/our-conferences-mainmenu-28/7-abadino… [2] http://www.eurovia.org/one-step-closer-towards-a-un-declaration-on-the-righ… [3] https://viacampesina.org/es/index.php/acciones-y-eventos-mainmenu-26/no-a-l… [4] https://viacampesina.org/downloads/pdf/en/VIIth%20Conf%20Press%20Kit_EN_12M…

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Press Kit: VIIth International Conference of peasant movement La Via Campesina , July 16-24
by La Via Campesina 17 May '17

17 May '17

LA VIA CAMPESINA: VIITH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - PRESS KIT [1] _VIITH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN DERIO, BIZKAIA (BASQUE COUNTRY), 16TH – 24TH JULY 2017. _ The international peasant's movement La Via Campesina INVITES JOURNALISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD to cover our VIITH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN DERIO, BIZKAIA (BASQUE COUNTRY), 16TH – 24TH JULY 2017. This will be preceded by the IVth International Assembly of LVC Youth and the Vth International Assembly of LVC Women. In the current context of economic, environmental, and food crises, peasant movements from around the world will discuss the alternatives that food sovereignty and peasant farming offer in the face of agribusiness and the neo-liberal model policies. The international peasant movement will look for strategies against green capitalism, land grabbing and the grabbing of other common goods which put the balance between the earth and humanity in danger. WHY IS THE VIITH CONFERENCE IMPORTANT FOR THE MEDIA? La Via Campesina is among the largest social movements in the world and is the voice of nearly 200 million peasants, rural workers, migrant workers, indigenous people, fisherfolk communities across the planet. Once every four years, with the support of our allies, we bring all our grassroots members from all regions of the world, in one place and under one roof - to exchange and learn from each other and to celebrate the power of global solidarity and unity. It is a special occasion for any one, including the media, to be a witness to this incredible gathering of cultural, regional and agricultural diversity of people, who work the land and feed the world. ACCREDITATION FOR JOURNALISTS _La Via Campesina's __VIIth __Conference_ is open to the media and to journalists. However, all must be duly accredited in advance by the team in charge of media relations. If you are interested in participating, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM [2] AND WE WILL BE IN TOUCH. It is also possible to organize interviews with the delegates through Skype, telephone, or other means of communication in coordination with our media team. For clarification purposes, La Via Campesina will not cover the costs of transport to Spain, or accommodation for journalists. However, we can commit to giving all the logistical information necessary to guarantee your participation in the VIIth Conference. DOWNLOAD THE PRESS KIT FOR MORE INFORMATION [3] FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: * ANDRES ARCE: +34 6616 41528 | +32 4895 52297 | andres(a)eurovia.org * VIVIANA ROJAS FLORES: +34 6616 41838 |+593 9952 13177 | viviana.rojas(a)viacampesina.org Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/our-conferences-mainmenu-28/7-abadino… [2] http://bit.ly/ViaCampesinaMedia-EN [3] https://viacampesina.org/downloads/pdf/en/VIIth%20Conf%20Press%20Kit_EN_12M…

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