Food Sovereignty
“Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. It puts the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations.”
— Declaration of Nyéléni, the first global forum on food sovereignty, Mali, 2007
The Temple of Understanding sees the urgent need to transform industrial agriculture and support smaller, more local agriculture as a key ingredient to a peaceful future.
As part of our work at the United Nations, we have, in collaboration with colleagues, made statements at the Geneva based Human Rights Council and represented the Women’s Major Group in the 2020 High Level Political Forum. Together, these statements outline our human rights based approach, and offer a set of practical implementations that remain relevant guidelines amidst the ongoing UN debates.
Ending Hunger and Achieving Food Security
Another part of our work at the United Nations is to follow up on concerns such as those raised by colleague Isis Alvarez of the Global Forest Coalition:
“Perverse initiatives endorsed by the Paris Agreement such as Climate Smart Agriculture surrender too much power to already powerful multinational corporations monopolizing the food industry setting the stage for the further demise of small peasant farmers especially women and their related traditional knowledge. Already a report from FAO (2014) demonstrated how agroecology could feed the world without the need for harmful and misleading technologies while empowering small scale farmers.”
Excerpt from the presentation by Isis Alvarez at the Open Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), based on “Proposed Resolution for UNEA on Paris Agreement” and “A Reality Check on the Paris Agreement from the Women and Gender Constituency (WGCY)”
Updates:
A Call to Urgent Action to Support Sustainable Food Systems with Rev.Jim Antal and Mary Evelyn Tucker
Join us for a dialogue with Rev. Jim Antal and Mary Evelyn Tucker A Call to Urgent Action to Support Sustainable Food Systems Rev. Jim Antal, Denominational leader, climate activist, author and public theologian. Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the...
International Activists on Regenerative Farming in the Philippines, Mexico and Kenya
What is happening to farmers in the Philippines, Mexico and Kenya? Join us for the "International Activists on Regenerative Farming" Panel with Kathryn Manga, Peasant Movement, KMP, Philippines Adelita San Vicente Tello, Director of Primary Sector & Renewable...
Dialogue with Shiva and June on Reclaiming our Ancient Wisdom to Protect Our Future
Join us together with Dr. Vandana Shiva & Lyla June for FORUM2021 Sacred Food ~ Blessed Earth ONLINE September 9, 2021 10am-2pm ET Free Registration Here! International Speakers, Prayer Contributors, Musicians presenting: Rev. Jim Antal, Dr. Michael Bos, Rev. J....
Faith Based Farming in the United States Panel at FORUM2021
SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS! Join us together with Rev.Hendershot, Interfaith Power & Light; Edgar Hayes & Anne Rader, Freedom Farm Community, Clayton Harvey, Peoples’ Farm, Shani Mink, Jewish Farmer Network, Leah Penniman, Soul Fire Farm, NY for the panel Faith...
Rev. Dr. John H. Vaughn, Executive Pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta
Join us together in prayer with Rev. Dr. John H. Vaughn, Executive Pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta FORUM2021 Sacred Food ~ Blessed Earth Interfaith Prayer Service ONLINE September 9, 2021 10am-2pm ET Free Registration Here! Prayer Contributors...
“the planet’s health and our health has been nearly destroyed.”
"Industrial food systems have reduced food to a commodity, to 'stuff' that can then be constituted in the lab. In the process both the planet’s health and our health has been nearly destroyed." Join us together with Dr. Vandana Shiva for FORUM2021 Sacred Food ~...