Honduras is home to a powerful movement of indigenous peoples demanding control over their own governance, territory (meaning all that is under, on, and over their lands), knowledge (otherwise known as intellectual property), agriculture, and customs. Indigenous peoples have won title to some of their lands and promoted national land reform that has redistributed some of the heavily ownership-concentrated land. Together with campesino (small farmer) and other sectors, they have stalled or stopped free trade agreements, hydro-electric dams, mining exploration, and logging.
The Convergence of Movements of Peoples of the Americas (COMPA) was founded in 1999 to ensure that all voices be engaged in constructing models to global capitalism. COMPA has created spaces for indigenous peoples, small farmers, women, and others to come forth across borders to devise and advance alternatives, especially in five issue areas: indigenous peoples and lands, women, free trade, rural development, peace, and foreign debt. With its original Americas-wide membership now largely concentrated in Central America and the Caribbean, 130 members from 31 grassroots organizations just met in El Salvador. The final declaration follows.
Interview by Alexis Erkert, Another Haiti is Possible Coordinator, Other Worlds Iderle Brénus Gerbier has worked with many peasant organizations in support of women rights’ and food sovereignty. She is a member of the Haitian National Network for Food Security and Sovereignty (RENHASSA), campaign coordinator for Food Sovereignty in Haiti, advisor of the National Confederation of Peasant Women (KONAFAP), and organizer for the Haitian Social Forum for Food Sovereignty.
In "Birthing Justice: Women Creating Economic and Social Alternatives," 12 women from movements around the world invite us into their lives, sharing their vision of what the world can and must become, and showing us what they and their community are doing to build that world. From Idla Martines de Souza organizing with the Landless Workers Movement in Brazil, to Emem Okon building peace in middle of a resource war in Nigeria, to Juana Ferrer and Via Campesina turning towards food sovereignty to end gender violence, each of these women have important wisdom and vision to share with us all.
Check out Other Worlds' new video on food, land, and agricultural alternatives throughout the Americas! This video, which includes interviews with folks from the People's Grocery, Seeds of Solidarity, Just Food, and Unite Here!, is the film component of a larger project called Harvesting Justice. Look for a full length report on food, land, and agricultural alternatives soon!
MANY urban Americans idealize “green living” and “slow food.” But few realize that one of the most promising models for sustainable living is not to be found on organic farms in the United States, but in Afghanistan. A majority of its 30 million citizens still grow and process most of the food they consume. They are the ultimate locavores.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 17:11
Other Worlds allies at Native Movement have produced a concise, adaptable guide to organizing a community garden. The guide addresses topics ranging from learning from our surroundings and our neighborhood elders, exploring garden design options, engaging the community, and publicizing your new garden.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Wed, 12/08/2010 - 10:31
Gender Action has released an important new report about International Financial Institutions' funding priorities in post-earthquake Haiti. The report finds that most World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) post-earthquake investments in Haiti represent lost opportunities to help Haiti's predominantly poor female farmers, prevent gender-based violence, and support gender-inclusive development efforts.
You can read the report in PDF format on the Gender Action website:
In "Birthing Justice: Women Creating Economic and Social Alternatives," 12 women from movements around the world invite us into their lives, sharing their vision of what the world can and must become, and showing us what they and their community are doing to build that world. From Idla Martines de Souza organizing with the Landless Workers Movement in Brazil, to Emem Okon building peace in middle of a resource war in Nigeria, to Juana Ferrer and Via Campesina turning towards food sovereignty to end gender violence, each of these women have important wisdom and vision to share with us all.
Other Worlds allies at