In view of the failure of neo-liberal policies and the deteriorating living conditions of both rural and urban societies, a growing number of political decision makers and social movements are taking an interest in food sovereignty. An group composed of Friends of the Earth International, Via Campesina, the World March of Women, ROPPA, WFF and WFFP organised Nyéléni 2007, the World Forum for Food Sovereignty.
600 delegates from the five continents, representing all sectors of society with an interest in agricultural and food issues, met in Mali in February 2007. This gathering was a great opportunity and a great milestone to reaffirm the right to food sovereignty and to clarify its economic, social, ecological and political implications. It also strived to create an international process with the specific aim of promoting the recognition of the right to food sovereignty.
The organisers made a deliberate decision to hold this meeting in Africa, where agriculture plays a central role, and where numerous rural and urban families suffer from hunger despite the abundance of natural resources. Mali was a natural choice. It is a democratic country where civil society organisations, be they trade unions or other types of association, enjoy freedom of action and expression. Mali is one of the first countries in the world to have made food sovereignty a policy priority.

Read the full report here: Nyelini Forum 2007, Mail