In order to combat the patriarchal and discriminatory structures that maintain the dominant economic model in the countryside, peasant organisations from different parts of the world held a meeting on diversity in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, on Saturday (2 December).
As delegates converge in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia, to partake in the 8th International Conference of La Via Campesina, leaders of the international peasant movement who have already arrived in the city participated in the Bogotá march, commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. Summoned by Colombian labor movements, the march was attended by nearly two thousand people.
Gaza faces an imminent risk of starvation under a complete blockade imposed by the Israeli army. The silence of the CFS Plenary on the situation is shameful. Measures taken so far are not only modest but insufficient to move towards effective and operational proposals to address the food situation.
In response to the genocidal war being waged on the people of Palestine, La Via Campesina reiterates its support for the BDS campaign. The peasant movement offers its steadfast solidarity with the peasants, fisherfolk and working families of Palestine, many of whom dedicate themselves daily to the realization of Peasants Rights and Food Sovereignty.
In response to the unprecedented and genocidal war being waged on the people of Palestine, La Via Campesina joins the growing call to boycott COP28. We stand united in our global demand that all people and governments act now to end Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians.
Israel is waging a genocidal war on Palestinians. It is urgent that third states take immediate action by organising an International Conference of Governments to stop this crime against humanity and bring immediate relief to Palestinians. This conference is also a critical step to ending the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Union of Agricultural Work Committees is spearheading an international campaign to provide aid to Gaza and the West Bank. The aid will support thousands of affected Palestinian families by providing food, water, and life essentials to bolster their resilience against the crimes of the Israeli occupation seeking to displace them.
The Amrita Bhoomi Learning Centre in Karnataka is one of dozens of education hubs around the world providing a space for farmer-to-farmer training in agroecology. The centre was born out of organising efforts of the local farmers’ movement KRRS (Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha) founded by Professor Mahantha Devaru Nanjundaswamy.
At its core, Food Sovereignty defends the right to healthy and culturally appropriate food, produced sustainably and ecologically. It empowers people to define their own food and agriculture systems, ensuring small-scale food producers’ control over essential resources such as land, water, seeds and biodiversity.
On the 11th of October, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution to establish a Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas. The Working Group, over the next three years of its tenure, is expected to identify challenges and gaps in its implementation at all levels of governance.
