The 5th World Rural Forum conference will analyze the public policies necessary to promote this agricultural model

Gains in political commitment around Family Farming were one of the most notable results of International Year of Family Farming IYFF-2014. Not just because of reaping results in the form of numerous laws, programmes and other specific public policy improvements, but also because of the spirit of collaboration and understanding generated among different entities, institutions and organizations.

Aiming precisely to continue promoting this global context of dialogue and collaboration, Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) will host the fifth World Rural Forum (WRF) conference on 21, 22 and 23 September, which will cover the promotion of specific public policies that favour Family Farming. Because exchanging ideas and examples about specific Family Farming policies means talking about the conditions the men and women of the country and sea demand. It means analyzing how we can build a better future for the millions of men and women family farmers in the world and, after all, for all of us.

The Fifth Global Conference – Let’s Build the Future: Family Farming will contribute to keeping Family Farming, smallholders, artisanal fishing, pastoralism and indigenous communities on the international agenda, as set out by IYFF+10. This initiative is based on the Brasilia Manifesto (Manifiesto de Brasilia), a consensus document agreed upon by Family Farming organizations from the 5 continents, with the backing of rural associations, Research Centres and international NGOs.

Participants

The meeting will bring together representatives from a range of governments, agricultural organizations, international organizations (like FAO and IFAD), National Family Farming Committees, rural development associations, NGOs and research centers.

Topics for analysis include advancements obtained in the characterization of Family Farming, dialogue mechanisms that facilitate improvements beneficial to the work and well-being of men and women in Family Farming, as well as different proposals for connecting agricultural research with the relevant farmers’ organizations.ç

Programme of the 5th Conference

Global WRF Conference

The last WRF conference, entitled Family Farming: Feed the World, Care for the Planet, took place in 2011, in Bilbao, and marked an important milestone in defining priority topics to tackle, firstly during the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) campaign, and subsequently during the IYFF itself in 2014.

Objectives of the Fifth Global Conference

  • Discuss and share characterizations of Family Farming at international, regional and national levels.
  • Identify the main results and impacts of Family Farming policies.
  • Identify policy perspectives for Family Farming in the medium and long term.
  • Promote networking among Family Farming organizations and research centres.
  • Continue fostering National Family Farming Committee action.
  • Establish the major baselines for starting to define global guidelines for public policies that protect Family Farming, with the participation of representatives from the main regional men and women family farmers’ organizations on the 5 continents.
  • In all instances, granting particular importance to both women farmers and youth.

Dates, venue and participation:

The Fifth Global Conference Let’s Build the Future: Family Farming will take place on 21, 22 and 23 September 2015 in the Hotel Seminario Bilbao in the Derio locality (Basque Country, Spain).

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