On 12 December 2023, Kyiv hosted under difficult war conditions the International Forum for the Protection of Peasants’ Rights “SMALL PRODUCERS ON THE GUARD of FOOD SECURITY: The UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas”, initiated by academia, civil society organisations, farmers and private landowners with the participation of representatives from Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Italy and other countries.
The large-scale war of the russian federation against Ukraine has led to violations of the rights of Ukrainians, in particular those who work on the land and ensure food security. The impact of the war has had catastrophic consequences for large segments of the population not only in Ukraine but also around the world, creating hunger, instability and increasing inequality. In the context of the humanitarian crisis caused by the use of food as a weapon, academia, civil society organisations and the government are trying to find solutions that, in addition to overcoming these consequences, focus on and take into account the rights of peasants as people who play an important social role and have priority in recovery and development.
In 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP). Ukrainian academics and civil society organisations advocating for the protection of peasants’ rights were involved in the UN negotiation process and contributed to the Ukrainian government’s vote in favour of the UNDROP in the Human Rights Council. Today, the UNDROP’s provisions are being implemented in many countries as recommendations for public policy, training, awareness-raising activities, new judicial practice and other actions in the daily life of communities.
Peasants play a significant and essential role in ensuring food security, overcoming hunger and malnutrition, preventing the negative effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity, etc. In this regard, the UNDROP serves as a fundamental legal mechanism for strengthening the sustainability of food systems in the context of the multidimensional challenges of our time, including those caused by the full-scale war unleashed by russia
The aim of the International Forum “SMALL PRODUCERS ON THE GUARD of FOOD SECURITY: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas” is to draw attention to the UNDROP, raise public awareness and stimulate dialogue between stakeholders on the implementation of its provisions to ensure that the interests of peasants are taken into account in the process of rebuilding the agricultural sector, ensuring its resilience during the war and in the post-war period in order to strengthen food security, improve peasants’ well-being and sustainable rural development.
Proceedings from the Forum:
