Latvian Perspectives on Nyeleni

The Latvian delegation arrived in Krems, Austria, with an enthusiastic attitude, ready to expand their horizons by participating at the Nyeleni European Forum on Food Sovereignty taking place from 16th to 21st of August 2011. Food sovereignty is an aspiration, a vision that all people should have the right to define and shape their own food systems. The food sovereignty movement has been working to achieve that goal by struggling against the powerful forces that control the dominant industrial food system, and by providing a space to develop positive alternatives. The purpose of this forum was to bring together representatives from all over Europe to formulate a regional plan for food sovereignty. The week-long forum was filled with activities, including intense policy-related discussions, educational fieldtrips and related recreational events.

The Latvian delegation consisted of a birch juice producer, and representatives from various NGOs, an alternative school, and the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre. For the Latvian delegates, the forum was very educational, serving to improve understanding on a wide variety of topics, from GMO food to local food systems. Importantly it provided a space for the national delegates to network with each other, as well as with other delegations. In particular, learning about the common problems faced by Eastern European countries has helped form a basis for cooperation on food sovereignty issues in the region. For Latvia, and other Eastern European countries where small-scale producers are numerous but struggling, food sovereignty is an especially important concept to mobilize around.

Inspired by the energy and creativity of the Forum, and the diverse and insightful perspectives of its participants, the delegation has returned home and has already started working to foster the nascent food sovereignty movement in Latvia. The final Nyeleni declaration has been translated into Latvian (available at http://www.nyeleni2011.net/), and work is continuing in education and outreach.

See also the related article Torwads a European Forum for Food Sovereignty.

Information provided by Renāta Blumberga (rblumberg@gmail.com), Agnese Radžele-Šulce, Zane Ruģēna-Bojāre