V Conference

Monday, 5th of October 2015, Derio. The need to create institutional spaces to promote participative political dialogue arose during the 5th Global Conference of the World Rural Forum, a dialogue that must include Family Farming organizations and, specially, young people and women. Representatives from governments, agricultural organizations, international agencies (like FAO and IFAD), National Committees of Family Farming, rural development associations, NGOs and research centers met at the conference.

“We must improve agrarian representation in the governments, maintain the interinstitutional networks and strengthen them at local, regional and international levels, promoting the integration of young people and women in the participative processes. We must also establish relationships with academies, research centers, etc., that will provide political training and qualification to the peasant leaders”, remarked Auxtin Ortiz, World Rural Forum´s director.

Not only the search of political dialogue to create public policies promoting Family Farming, peasant farming, traditional, fishing, pastoralism and indigenous communities was addressed. Topics ranging from the creation of global guidelines for the regulation of agrarian models based on Family Farming to the connection between Family Farming organizations and research centers were analyzed by working groups where members of the farming sector from all over the world took part actively.

The working group analyzing the contents and direction of the global guidelines underlined the importance of recognizing Family Farming as a mean of livelihood because of its fundamental role, among other factors, in the rural and regional development. The relevance of promoting more participative processes involving egalitarian economic, political and social rights was also stressed by this group.

Analyzing how to improve the connection between agricultural organizations and research centers, the participants realized that it was necessary to improve the communication processes and  strengthen the already existing relationships. The working group members also asked the men and women family farmers to be more active in the identification and systematization of their good practices.

Besides the working groups, the 5th Conference held panel discussions on the following topics: communication to promote Family Farming, young people and employment in the rural areas and the role of women in Family Farming.

The 5th Global Conference of the World Rural Forum, “Let´s Build the Future, Family Farming”, analyzed the advances in the characterization of this agricultural model and proposed dialogue mechanisms to improve work conditions and well-being of the men and women in Family Farming. Different proposals to connect agricultural research with the relevant peasant organizations were put forward also. Therefore, it is an opportunity to exchange ideas and examples of specific Family Farming policies and analyze how a better future can be built for the millions of men and women farmers all over the world.

IYFF+10, Global Impulse to Family Farming Campaign

After achieving remarkable results during the International Year of Family Farming IYFF-2014 (celebration that was preceded by an intense World Rural Forum´s campaign), the main objective of IYFF+10 will be to continue improving public policies supporting Family Farming. Although this recently launched campaign is a broad initiative, IYFF+10 relies on three key areas: promotion of the National Committees of Family Farming, definition of the global guidelines for Family Farming and encouragement of participative research.

As happened during the International Year, the IYFF+10 will always seek maximum cooperation and spirit of understanding between farmers’ organizations, rural associations, research centers, governments and international institutions.

Monday, September 21, 2015, Derio. More than 200 rural actors from five continents gather today for three days at the Hotel Seminario Bilbao Derio (Bizkaia) on the occasion of the 5th Global Conference of the World Rural Forum, to be held between 21 and 23 September under the title Let´s build the future: Family Farming. Representatives of agricultural organizations, peasant leaders, NGOs, governments, international organizations and agricultural research centers around the world will deepen the role played by family farming as the backbone and catalyst for agriculture, as well as how to promote this form life as an axis of development of rural areas.

The president of the Basque Government, Iñigo Urkullu, presided over the official opening of the congress, which has highlighted the contribution of FRM to the “extension of solidarity” for his actions in favor of “sustainable human development, poverty eradication and structural inequalities in the world. We live moments of solidarity. Not only in the reception of refugees, also in supporting their life projects. The Rural Forum is an organization committed to serving the problem at source. Work with the goal of eradicating poverty that affects millions of people worldwide. Works to promote the progress and opportunities in these least developed countries to build capacity and to each community to generate its own alternative development “, he stressed.

Have also participated in the opening the Minister of Agrarian Reform of the Philippines, Virgilio de los Reyes, Marcela Villarreal, representative of the United Nations for Food and Agriculture (FAO), Djibo Bagna, President of ROPPA, the network peasant organizations in West Africa, Flavio Coturni, representative of the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, and Jose Mari Zeberio, president of FRM.

“This conference is a meeting point for different actors in the rural sector, from governments, international organizations such as FAO and IFAD, and agricultural organizations to Family Agriculture National Committees, so we must take this opportunity to share experiences and knowledge Family Farming. Inclusive collaboration between agents is key to boosting family agriculture, “said Zeberio.

The 5th Global Conference of the World Rural Forum. Let´s Build the Future, Family Farming, analyze progress in characterizing family farming, and raise dialogue mechanisms to enhance and promote the sector and to connect agricultural research with peasant organizations. It will be an opportunity to exchange ideas and examples of specific policies for family farming and discuss how to build a better future for the millions of family farmers worldwide.

IYFF +10 campaign to the global momentum to family farming

After the remarkable results of the International Year of Family Farming IYFF-2014, celebration preceded by intense global campaign coordinated by the World Rural Forum, the central objective of the IYFF+10 initiative will remain improving public policy in favor of Family Farming. This campaign, recently launched by the FRM, will have, within its broad framework for action, three main components: promotion of National Committees of Family Farming, construction of comprehensive guidelines for family farming and promoting participatory research.

As has happened in the International Year, the IYFF+10 will take place always looking for maximum collaboration and spirit of understanding among farmers organizations, rural associations, research centers, governments and international institutions.

World Rural Forum

The World Rural Forum (WRF) is a plural network that works in favour of family farming and sustainable rural development, composed of farmers’ federations, rural organizations and agriculture research centres from five continents.

In addition to the new WRF website, the website for the WRF 5th Conference Let’s build the future: Family Farming will be available from now on, as well. The Conference will be held on 21, 22 and 23 September in Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) and will focus on specific public policies in favour of Family Farming.

The final program is available on this link.

We encourage you to keep tuned to this space with the lastest news and documents on the 5th Conference.