Over the last few decades, GMO crops have been imposed in countries all over the world, advertised as a solution to food insecurity and the malnutrition crisis. However, hunger, disease, and malnutrition have increased, while biodiversity has declined and toxins have spread. GMO imperialism has destroyed the lives and livelihoods of small farmers and biodiversity in centers of origin. These centers of origin of biodiversity, like Mexico for corn, are the cradles of the world’s food supply, and the protection against plague, climate challenges, natural disasters or other hindrances to food production.
But despite these failures, corporations continue to impose gene-edited organisms, or new GMOs, in centers of diversity. They continue to shift their narrative towards framing nature and biodiversity as commodities for commercialization and patent monopolies.
In March 2023, following the Diverse Women for Diversity Festival in Dehradun India, women from the network co-wrote a declaration denouncing the United States pressuring of the Mexican government to walk back its attempt to phase out GMO corn from foods and the use of glyphosate. Considering the renewed wave of GMO impositions in Latin America, Asia, Europe and others, the Mexican movements, Campaña Nacional Sin Maíz No Hay País, Semillas de Vida, Via Organica, alongside Naturaleza de Derechos from Argentina, and Navdanya International issued a new joint declaration in Defense of Biodiversity and Seed Freedom. The open declaration has now received over 800 signatures from around the world.
Join the Declaration in Defense of our Biodiversity, Seed and Food Freedom
All over the world citizens are rising up against the unscientific, undemocratic, anti-ecological imposition of GMOs by corporations and governments. Join us this March in Mexico City, as we continue to build solidarity and common resistance in the name of Biodiversity, Food and Seed Freedom.
Join us this March 12-16 2024, for a series of events in Mexico City to continue building a common strategy against the further imposition of new and old GMOs around the world. Sharing experiences, struggles and solidarity in defense of Biodiversity, Food and Seed Freedom.
Events
12 March 2024 – 11 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. (GMT -6)
The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) presents, “In Defense of Food Sovereignty” a keynote lecture by Dr. Vandana Shiva, with Víctor Suárez Carrera, Subsecretario de Autosuficiencia Alimentaria SADER.
Live transmission @agricultura_mex (YouTube) and @navdanyainternational (Facebook – Instagram).
14 March 2024 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CST)
Centro Cultiva Salud presents, “Understanding the origin of food, a vital solution for your health and that of the Earth.” Towards a healthy and sustainable future.
A conference with Dr. Vandana Shiva and Dr. Dieter le Noir
Location: Live Streamed from Centro Cultiva Salud, Rancho La Paz, Valle de Bravo, México
Register Here for the online event.
Event will be available for one month for those who register. Half price discount for students.
15 March 2024
11 a.m.- 5 p.m. (GMT -6)
The Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) presents the seminar “Protection and conservation of biodiversity in the regions considered centers of origin of species”.
Co-organized with Navdanya International and featuring as guests, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Members of the SEMARNAT and representatives from Latin America, Asia, the US, and others.
This seminar will discuss strategies to conserve and protect natural resources in countries that are centers of origin for the genetic diversity of species, through dialogues, round tables, and discussions for common strategy with key actors of the Mexican government, representatives from Latin America, Asia, the United States, and others in the protection and conservation of biodiversity in Latin America and other regions.
Location: Mexico City, SEMARNAT Headquarters, Polanco or Online. By invitation only.
Live coverage from Navdanya International socials (Facebook – Instagram).
16 March 2024
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (GMT -6)
Defending Biodiversity, Strengthening Seed Freedom – Resisting GMOs, Seed and Food Imperialism
An event co-organized by Campaña Nacional Sin Maíz No Hay País, Regeneration International, and Navdanya International
Location: Cencalli, Museo de maíz y centro de la cultura alimentaria, Los Pinos, Ciudad de México (In person only) Open to the public – Click here to register. Join the livestream here.
Seeds are the first link in the food chain. They embody our heritage and enfold the future evolution of life. It is our inherent duty and responsibility to protect our seeds and pass them on to future generations. Today, our seed sovereignty is threatened by intellectual property rights and new GMO technologies that have transformed seeds from a commons shared by farmers, to a commodity under the control and monopoly of agribusiness corporations.
Following our joint declaration on the in Defense of our Biodiversity, Seed and Food Freedom, which received over 800 signatures, this event will discuss how centers of origin of biodiversity are the cradles of the world’s food supply, and the protection against plague, climate challenges, natural disasters or other hindrances to food production. Bringing together cases from Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and others to develop a common strategy against the further imposition of new and old GMOs around the world.
GMOs cannot be forced upon communities, violating norms of democracy and freedom.Together as global citizens, we come together to stand against GMO bullying and in defense of our seeds. Uniting to resist the forces that threaten diversity and freedom in our seeds.
The event will feature an International Press conference to open the event, followed by a keynote by Dr Vandana Shiva titled, “Defense of biodiversity and free seed liberty against food imperialism”. Two international panels on the case of GMO imposition in Latin America and common strategies to resist GMO imperialism, will feature, Dr. Vandan Shiva, President of Navdanya International; Andre Leu of President Regeneration International; Mercedes López, of Via Organica and Regeneration International; Fernando Cabaleiro of Naturaleza de Derechos, Argentina; Leydy Pech Marín of Colectivo Maya de los Chenes, Yucatán; Pánfilo Hernández Ortis of Grupo Vicente Guerrero, Tlaxcala; Miguel Crespo of Probioma, Bolivia; Mauricio García Alvarez of Swiss Aid Colombia; Fabian Pacheco of Centro Nacional Especializado en Agricultura Organica del Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje, Costa Rica; and representatives of Navdanya International and Campaña Nacional Sin Maíz No Hay País. The event will close with final declarations and key takeaways from the conference.
Title: “Defending Biodiversity, Strengthening Seed Freedom – Resisting GMOs, Seed and Food Imperialism”
Date and time: Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Place: Tennis Court, Los Pinos Cultural Complex. Parque Lira S/N, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc. CDMX
Convenors: CNSMNHP, Navdanya International, Regeneration International
