Day seven: The President arrives1 February 2007
I meet Joao Pedro Stedile from the Landless Workers Movement (Movimento Sem Terra - MST) in Brazil.
Joao Pedro Stedile in Mali
He explains that most of the land in Brazil is owned by rich landowners who take advantage of export-led agricultural whilst millions are forced to eke out a living on tiny plots.
MST has challenged this by peacefully occupying land (permitted under Brazilian law) and setting up cooperative farms, schools and housing for over 250,000 families.
This is food sovereignty being put into practice and Joao Pedro is very proud that.
While poverty has not been completely wiped out - hunger has been eradicated in all of these communities.
This hugely inspiring movement shows what people can achieve, even with the odds stacked against them - regaining control of their land and food.
Heads of State speak
Dembele Souleymane from
Guamina (Friends of the Earth
Mali) plants a tree
Guamina (Friends of the Earth
Mali) plants a tree
The President of Mali arrives and expresses his support for food sovereignty.
State representatives from Nepal speak about how food sovereignty must become part of national policies and how in Nepal it's enshrined in the Constitution.
The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, couldn't make it but he sent a video message (that he managed to keep down to 20 minutes) on the importance of food sovereignty.
In it he thanked all the organisers including his amigos at Friends of the Earth International.
And finally...
After a long working day in the oppressive heat we go out dancing with the locals and Latinos who get everyone boogying.
Today MST impressed me enormously. These communities are trailblazers - showing how food sovereignty could work in practice.
In the world's most unequal society and in the face of landowners with private armies - they have been putting their lives at risk for the last two decades to fight for a better world.
They give inspiration and hope to millions of landless people the world over.
Food sovereignty isn't an abstract concept - it's about people trying to ensure they can make a decent living, have enough, healthy food for their community and look after their environment.
Joe Zacune, our Trade Campaigner, is sending daily updates from the World Forum for Food Sovereignty in Sélingué, Mali.
© Friends of the Earth
