The G20: an illegitimate club incapable of resolving world crises

(Nice, 1 November 2011) The international and European farmers’ movement, La Vía Campesina, will join social movements and other civil society organisations in condemning the illegitimate character of the G20 and its ineptitude at resolving the current financial, food, environmental and social crises, to which it has contributed. Farmers from the Conféderation Paysanne (France), as well as representatives of the international movement from India and Haiti will attend the Forum “People First, not Finance!” from 1-4 November in Nice, while ministers and government leaders will meet on 3 and 4 November in Cannes. The current financial crisis devastating Europe and the rest of the world is striking evidence of the failure of the policies implemented by the Group of the 20 richest countries in the world. Since the first summit of the Heads of State of the G20 in 2008, whose ambition was to implement a complete reform of the financial system, deregulation and speculation have continued to dominate world finance, with the ensuing social havoc.

Furthermore, the G20, which was supposed to resolve financial problems, is turning into a political space which defines the direction of the world economy and governance, even handling climatic and food issues.

Agriculture and food cannot be entrusted to institutons, bankers and governments whose insatiable lust for profit has led the rest of the world economy to disaster.

There is still time to implement social, food and agricultural policies based on the needs of people and not on the greed of some. These policies of social justice and food sovereignty must be developed in democratic spaces where people are heard, and not inside private clubs like the G8 or the G20.

Press contacts:

Josie Riffaud: + 33 613105291

Christian Roqueirol: + 33 672684540