Food Crises and the challenges of climate change and bioenergy

STOP THE FOOD CRISIS: Urgent Call to Action on June 1

On June 3-5, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will host the High Level Conference on World Food Security- the challenges of climate change and bioenergy in Rome. It will be attended by the UN Secretary General, several Heads of State including President Lula of Brazil and President Sarkozy of France, the World Bank and IMF, where they will discuss ways to address the current global food crisis.

Millions of people living in poverty are suffering now from the rise in food prices. They need immediate support to buy and produce their own food. This meeting is also an opportunity to address the structural problems contributing to the crisis such as under-investment in agriculture, unfair trade rules, lack of progress on the MDGs, lack of delivery on aid commitments and gender inequality.

GCAP is in the unique position, as a grassroots movement of people from all walks of life in over 100 countries, to tell the stories of the people who are directly affected by this crisis and to bring their voices to the meetings of world leaders.

GCAP is calling for a global day of action on or around June 1, to demand that governments Act Now to End Poverty and Inequality and Stop the Food Crisis.

A comprehensive messaging document will be circulated in the coming days. Below are some suggested actions which can be taken on or around June 1.

i. Peaceful march, walk or demonstration
ii. Protest outside a government building or house of parliament
iii. Display banners (white bands) and other materials with ‘Stop the Food
Crisis’ and key demands
iv. Meet with heads of state, parliamentarians or local government to
deliver our demands. This could involve a symbolic gesture such as handing
over a bag of rice or grain wrapped in a white band
v. Publish an article or letter in the national or local press
vi. Organise a press conference with civil society representatives,
experts such as economists, academics and people involved in the food and
agriculture industry, government representatives and, most importantly,
those affected by the food crisis themselves in countries in the South, or
in the North, testimonies from people most affected
vii. Issue a press release
viii. Direct people to sign a petition or take an e-action on
www.whiteband.org


Assistance from the global support team:

i. A full messaging document to be circulated and a press release on the day
ii. A page to be set up on www.whiteband.org about the food crisis and
link to an e-action
iii. Outreach to international organizations and networks to join the call
to action
iv. Gather testimonies from those affected by the global food crisis and
display on www.whiteband.org, with photographs and/or footage ­ PLEASE
send details of people and communities affected by the current crisis to
ciara.osullivan@civicus.org
v. Possible placing of op-eds or advertisements on or around the day


National coalitions not able to participate in actions on or around June 1
may wish to incorporate some of these actions or the messaging into other
mobilization dates throughout the year. If you are planning take action,
please email christal.dupont@civicus.org and ciara.osullivan@civicus.org,
copy to your regional secretariat (gcapeuropesecretariat@whiteband.org).


A full messaging document with detail on the food crisis will be
circulated in the coming days, for national coalitions to adapt.

* Food for people before food for cars
* People Before Profits
* Defend and Protect poor People’s Right to Food
* Biofuels must not replace food production
* Fair prices for commodities for all
* Equitable access to land and natural resources for all

The following quotes are from the Montevideo Declaration:

“States are obliged to protect, respect and fulfill all human rights
including economic, social, cultural, civil, environmental, sexual and
reproductive rights. International Human Rights instruments protect the
rights of all people to an adequate standard of living and well-being,
including the right to food and food sovereignty, clothing, housing, clean
water and health care. Unjust governance, debt and aid conditionality and
trade rules and practices are undermining these rights. “

“We demand that all governments ensure the right of people living in
poverty, ……that food sovereignty and the right to food is realised; that
the production of bio-fuels does not displace the production of food on
arable land or lead to the destruction of forests; that there is funding,
and free and open access to technologies that mitigate green house
emissions; and that people come before profits.”

“Ensure a fair price for commodities, particularly for poor producers.”

“Support the right to food and equitable access to land and natural
resources.”