Day one: Friends of the Earth International reunion14 February 2007
I've been looking forward to this trip more than any other as it's going to be an historic occasion.
Bringing together 500 representatives from 80 countries for the first time to share experiences, build alliances and strengthen an international movement to regain control over natural resources.
People's food is increasingly falling into the hands of corporations and that means that precious resources such as land, seeds, water and fish that millions of people depend upon are becoming commodities.
Communities and the environment are losing out and with global hunger increasing - this is a matter of life or death.
Friends of the Earth International will be taking part in discussions to develop a plan of action to ensure people can choose GM-free, locally produced food that offers rural people a living wage and preserves the environment.
Airport arrivals
I arrive at the airport and am met by friendly organisers and Friends of the Earth Latin American delegates. They are surprisingly chatty and upbeat despite the jet-lag and 3 hour wait for visas.
15 of us pack ourselves into a tiny van and drive for 3 hours to the village where the forum's taking place.
I'm hungry and thinking of food after skipping the in-flight meal.
At 5am we see the silhouettes of the huts where we'll stay - they're beautifully-made using traditional materials.
When we leave they will become part of a conference centre for farmers' unions and a venue for African civil society events.
Traditional accommodation in Mali
The intense heat, dryness and smell of burning wood hangs in the air.
The hard work begins
After a few hours sleep we meet to start our meetings.
Alberto from REDES, gives a really interesting bit of background to Friends of the Earth International's work on food sovereignty and how we have built up a relationship with Via Campesina over the years.
Campaigning on food sovereignty has allowed us to work with a broad range of grassroots organisations such as farmers' networks and fisherfolk and brought together groups working on a variety of issues from trade and corporates to biofuels and GM.
Bringing these groups together will strengthen this international movement that is about justice for people and the planet.
Friends of the Earth International campaigners
At the end of the day
Having planned how to cover all the events during the forum, we finish the day getting to know each other.
It's fascinating meeting the Friends of the Earth International team from all corners of the world who are articulate, confident and passionate.
We sit down to eat a rich variety of local food such as rice dishes with fish and different tomato and peanut sauces.
There's a thirst-quenching range of fruit drinks made from berries, ginger, papaya and mango which is a godsend in this dry climate.
I joined Friends of the Earth because it's an autonomous, international network that has a radical edge.
No other NGO of a similar size enjoys such respect amongst grassroots social movements worldwide and this is something we should be very proud and protective of.
This is down to not being a top-down, mainstream organisation, but being sensitive and supportive of Southern movements that are on the frontline - fighting for justice.
Joe Zacune, our Trade Campaigner, is sending daily updates from the World Forum for Food Sovereignty in Sélingué, Mali.
© Friends of the Earth
