The Forum will discuss the global food crisis, its causes and effects, and the need for citizens to be engaged in the decision making process to address it. Other critical issues lined up fordebate include investment in agriculture and the structure of agricultural financing to ensure food sovereignty Small-scale farmers and their role in determining the right to food. The African Union Land Policy Framework and Guidelines - addressing land rights and tenure and dealing with the land-leasing question will also feature in the forum.

Panelists include representatives from the Kenya Land Alliance, East and Southern Africa Farmer’s Federation and Small Scale farmer representative and a representative from Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture.

This public forum will contribute to regional discussions at the 13th AU summit (June 24 – July 3 2009)under the theme of ‘Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security’ in Libya. Africa is a continent with immense natural resources yet its people remain hungry. The recent food price and financial crises have sunk an additional 28 million Africans into poverty.  Agriculture is the mainstay for the large majority of the population, employing 60% of the total labor force, of which between 70-80% are women.  What can we do to ensure every citizen gets the food they need?

IMPLEMENTING EVERY CITIZEN’S RIGHT TO FOOD!