In this context of democratic deficit, the organizations that participated in the meeting (a continuation of the 2007 Food Sovereignty Forum held in Nyeleni) reclaimed “their vision of unity that focuses on peoples rights to define their own agriculture and food systems and policies, without hindering people or common goods, based on the principles of Food Sovereignty”.

The lack of popular participation in policies on common goods like soil, air, seeds and water was also identified as a lack of democracy, according to the Forum’s final declaration.

Luca Colombo is part of the Steering Committee of the Nyeleni 2011 Forum on behalf of the Italian Platform for Food Sovereignty.

He talked with Real World Radio and made a balance of the European event that gathered nearly 400 delegates of the continent plus Asian, African and Latin American observers.

He believes that one of the main goals for the Food Sovereignty movement is to identify the main principles that should rule public policies and social mobilization towards food sovereignty. Alternative markets, access to natural resources and participatory policies are part of those common principles towards a change of the agriculture and food system globally.

“We are gathered in Austria at a very complicated political time for democratic institutions. We are going through a crisis because of the policies promoted by non-democratic institutions like financial institutions. Having 400 delegates, some of whom have come from remote European rural areas is part of the task of responding to those policies and it is also a way of saying ’stop speculation’, especially food speculation, which is essential in all societies”, said the Italian activist.

“We need financial institutions that are open to collaborate with the countries’ development instead of dictating rules to the countries for the benefit of a few”, he said.

Nearly 120 organizations created a big alliance and a group of principles to achieve Food Sovereignty in Europe, by emphasizing the contribution made by young people and producers, whose concerns are often overlooked.

The diversity and richness of experiences enabled the Nyeleni 2011 European Forum to identify a common framework and to define a joint action plan based on a democratic and participatory process.

Photo: www.nyelenieurope.net Interview by E. Russo (Vía Campesina International)