The Global Struggle for Food Sovereignty: A Discussion with African Food Leaders & Farmers

After many years of careful planning, we are proud to be hosting the Africa-US Food Sovereignty Strategy Summit in Seattle Oct 10-14!  African leaders from eight nations are coming to Seattle to meet with CAGJ/AGRA Watch and leaders from over a dozen US organizations – see below for a list of participants.  To find out how you can support these efforts as a volunteer or host, please contact us! And Join us for a special public event on Oct 12th!

The Global Struggle for Food Sovereignty: A Discussion with African Food Leaders & Farmers
Sunday, October 12
5pm Reception, 7pm Panel
Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave

African farmers are fighting for “food sovereignty,” the right of all people everywhere to control their food systems. You are invited to hear first-hand from African food leaders and farmers about how corporate “philanthropists” like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are working to transform African small-holder agriculture into American-style industrial agri-business, with all its problems. Join us for a reception and a panel discussion to learn about the struggle for global food sovereignty and how we can work in solidarity to change these alarming trends.

5pm Pre-Event Reception: Tickets $15-$25, Catered by Madres Kitchen
Join us for a Reception welcoming Food Sovereignty leaders from Africa & the US to Seattle. Food, beverage and entrance to main event included with purchase of ticket. Beer and wine will be available for sale. Buy tickets here, and at the door.

7pm – Panel with African Food Sovereignty Leaders -Moderated by Eric Holt-Giménez, Food First Executive Director- $5 Suggested Donation. Simultaneous interpretation provided in American Sign Language. Induction Loop for hard of hearing also available at Town Hall.

Panel Speakers:

• Million Belay, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa and MELCA,Ethiopia
• Mariam Mayet, African Centre for Biosafety, South Africa
• Elizabeth Mpofu, ZIMSOFF, La Via Campesina Africa, Zimbabwe

At the Reception, have the opportunity to meet representatives from participating organizations including, from North America: Center for Food Safety, Community to Community Development, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Family Farm Defenders, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Food and Water Watch, Food First, Grassroots International, IATP-Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, IDEX-International Development Exchange, National Family Farm Coalition, PANNA-Pesticide Action Network North America, Swift Foundation, US-Africa Network, WhyHunger. From Africa: African Centre for Biosafety (South Africa), Agrarian Reform for Food Sovereignty Campaign (South Africa), Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, Food Rights Alliance (Kenya), Friends of the Earth Africa (Nigeria), Kenya Food Rights Alliance, La Via Campesina Africa, MELCA (Ethiopia), Surplus People Project (South Africa), Trust for Community Organization and Education (South Africa), ZIMSOFF (Zimbabwe).

The Africa-US Food Sovereignty Strategy Summit has been organized in collaboration with the following organizations: African Centre for Biosafety (South Africa), Food First, Grassroots International, IDEX-International Development Exchange, Kenya Food Rights Alliance, National Family Farm Coalition, Pesticide Action Network North America – PANNA, We are the Solution (Burkina Faso), WhyHunger.

Thanks to our Co-Sponsors! African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, African Studies Program at the UW Jackson School of International Studies, ASUW Student Food Cooperative, Backbone Campaign, Center for the Study of Justice in Society at Seattle University, Central Co-op, Community Kitchens Northwest, Community to Community Development, Domestic Fair Trade Association, Equal Exchange, Health Alliance International, Lettuce Link/Solid Ground, Local2Global Advocates for Food Sovereignty, PCC, Seattle Good Business Network, Urban Food Hub, UW Farm, UW Program on the Environment, Village Volunteers, WA Fair Trade Coalition, WA Sustainable Food and Farming Network, Yes! Magazine.

Share this event! Download the flyer here: Oct. 12 Event Flyer.  Link to Facebook event here.

If your organization can Co-Sponsor and help us spread the word via social media, flyers, websites etc, please contact us!

For more information, please contact Community Alliance for Global Justice/AGRA Watch: [email protected] 206-405-4600

African participants:

Mercia Andrews, Trust for Community Organization and Education, South Africa
Marian Bassey, Friends of the Earth-Africa, Nigeria
Million Belay, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa and MELCA-Ethiopia
Daniel Maingi, Growth Partners Africa, Food Rights Alliance, Kenya
Mariam Mayet, African Centre for Biosafety, South Africa
Herschelle Milford, Surplus People Project and Agrarian Reform for Food Sovereignty Campaign, South Africa
Elizabeth Mpofu, ZIMSOFF, La Via Campesina Africa, Zimbabwe
Bridget Mugambe, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, Uganda

North American participants:
Phil Bereano, Matt Canfield and Heather Day -Representatives of hosting organization, AGRA Watch/Community Alliance for Global Justice, WA
Saulo Araujo, WhyHunger, NY
Debbie Barker, Center for Food Safety, DC
Ben Burkett, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, MO
Jahi Chappell, IATP – Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, MN
Georgia Good, Rural Coalition, SC
Jim Goodman, Family Farm Defenders, WI
Heather Gray, US-Africa Network, GA
Lisa Griffith, National Family Farm Coalition, MO
Rosalinda Guillen, Community to Community Development, WA
Eric Holt-Gimenez, Food First, CA
Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, PANNA-Pesticide Action Network North America, CA
Sara Mersha, Grassroots International, MA
Darcey O’Callaghan, Food and Water Watch, DC
Kadiri Sennefer Ra, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, MI
Karen Swift, Swift Foundation, CA
Yeshica Weerasekera, IDEX-International Development Exchange, CA