Invitation to the International Forum “SMALL PRODUCERS ON THE GUARD of FOOD SECURITY”

The Public Organization “Knowledge Platform – Agricultural Development and Rural Innovations” in cooperation with the Public Organization “Association of Farmers and Private Landowners of Ukraine” and other members of the Public Union “Ukrainian Rural Development Network” invites you to take part in the International Forum “SMALL PRODUCERS ON THE GUARD OF FOOD SECURITY: The UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas”.

Today’s realities pose serious challenges that violate the basic rights of rural people. In these circumstances, we, as representatives of civil society, are trying to find solutions that protect human rights as a key priority of our society.

In 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP). Ukrainian peasants have been involved in the process of negotiation, successfully convincing the Ukrainian government to vote in favor of UNDROP in the Human Rights Council. The UNDROP’s provisions are now being implemented in many countries through public policies recommendations, trainings, awareness-raising activities, new court practices, and other actions in the daily life of communities. In Ukraine, this instrument has been used by peasants to articulate their solutions to the current crisis and to open political dialogue with decision makers.

Ukrainian peasants have been struggling on the food frontline to protect the survival of their communities. Peasants play an essential role in food security, combating hunger and malnutrition, preventing the negative effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity and contributing to the development of rural areas. In this sense, UNDROP is a fundamental legal instrument for strengthening the sustainability of food systems in the context of the multidimensional challenges of our time, aggravated by the ongoing war.

The International Forum “SMALL PRODUCERS ON THE GUARD OF FOOD SECURITY: UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas” seeks to raise awareness and exchange views of all stakeholders on the implementation of the UNDROP’s provisions in the process of ensuring resilience during war and post-war recovery of the Ukrainian agriculture to enhance food security, increase peasants’ welfare and strengthen sustainable rural development. This Forum is continuing the work initiated by Ukrainian peasants and civil society in 2022.

Agenda sections:

1. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants: five years after its adoption by the UN General Assembly.

An overview of the UNDROP, the experience of the international community on the way to implementing the provisions of the UNDROP. The introduction of a new special mechanism – the establishment of the Working Group on the Rights of Peasants – as part of the Declaration implementation process.

2. Food security in times of war: challenges and opportunities.

Discussion of the role and importance of small producers in providing food security during the war and in post-war rebuilding, as well as the extension of peasants’ rights in the context of the Declaration to preserve and strengthen their impact on the country’s food supply.

3. Implementation of peasants’ rights in post-war agricultural and rural development.

Discussion of cooperation areas and action consolidation of representatives of peasant and farmers’ organizations, government authorities at all levels, academia, civil society to protect the rights of peasants in Ukraine; promotion of family farming to provide food security at the local level, other proposals.

Based on the results of the discussions, proposals and recommendations, it is planned to prepare a final document of the Forum, which will be sent to the Ukrainian government bodies.

We invite everyone to take part in the Forum!

Only by joining our efforts will we be able to overcome all obstacles to the development of a legal and independent state.

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