SECOND DEMOPRATIC FORUM 2024

In April 2023, the inaugural Demopratic Forum in Geneva convened global leaders, activists, and organizations to address the critical issues surrounding the right to food and food sovereignty. This groundbreaking event resulted in the formulation of the Geneva Right to Food Manifesto, earning widespread support from influential bodies such as the FAO, IFAD, and WHO, as well as endorsements from the UN Special Rapporteurs on the Right to Food and the current Chairperson of the Committee for World Food Security.

In 2024, building on the success of the first Demopratic Forum of Geneva, our vision is set to unfold as we host the second Forum with a targeted mission: uniting stakeholders for a European Citizen Initiative (ECI) focused on crafting a comprehensive right to food law. This initiative empowers European citizens to directly participate in the legislative process, proposing new laws that aim to enshrine the right to food across the continent.

Backed by international organizations and esteemed individuals, our forum will be a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and decisive action. By bringing together voices from various corners of Europe, we aim to forge a collective path towards legislative change, making the right to food a tangible reality for all.

This effort builds on the legacy of the first European Citizen's Initiative (ECI) on the right to water in 2013. In May 2024, Mater Fondazione, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and other key partners will convene a three-day Forum to elaborate an ECI on the right to food. This builds on the Geneva Right to Food Manifesto adopted in March 2023, translated into 14 languages, and the collective work of European right to food experts analyzing the added value for a just transition towards sustainable food systems in Europe.

The discussion in May 2024 will benefit from the experience of The ECI Campaign, the originator of the ECI, and the insights of initiators of other ECIs, including the right to water and the need to end the cage age.

 Uniting for the Right to Food in Europe

In the face of global challenges, the right to food stands as a fundamental human right, and in Europe, we are committed to transforming this principle into a tangible reality. Welcome to our forum, a collective endeavor to establish a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) for the right to food. Our mission is clear: to create a robust framework that safeguards and enhances access to nutritious food for every European citizen.

Scope of the Forum

Our forum is a convergence of minds, bringing together diverse expertise to address the multifaceted aspects of ensuring food security. The working groups within this initiative span the legal, advocacy, marketing, fundraising, operational, and ecosystem realms. Each group plays a crucial role in crafting a comprehensive strategy that not only leads to the registration of the ECI but also propels a dynamic campaign and oversees progress throughout the entire process and beyond.

A Resounding Call for Change

 The tangible outcome of our collective efforts is threefold:

 Registration of the ECI

• Our legal and operational teams will navigate the intricate legal landscape to ensure the successful registration of the ECI.

• Bureaucratic hurdles will be surmounted, allowing us to lay the foundation for a Europe-wide movement for the right to food.

 Launch of a Dynamic Campaign

• The campaigning group, with its diverse strategies including marketing, testimonials from influential figures, and a robust online presence, will spearhead an impactful launch.

• Through engaging storytelling and persuasive advocacy, our campaign will resonate with citizens across Europe, compelling them to join the cause.

Progress Monitoring and Beyond

• As we collect signatures, our operational team will coordinate efforts, utilizing the expertise of NGOs and leveraging alliances at supranational, European, national, and local levels.

• Post-registration, our ecosystem approach ensures sustainability, with alliances strengthening and decentralizing the movement, ensuring longevity beyond the initial stages.

This forum marks the beginning of a transformative journey: one that empowers citizens, challenges the status quo, and endeavors to embed the right to food in the heart of European policies. Together, let's make a resounding statement that echoes from the supranational to the local, advocating for a Europe where no one goes hungry, and every citizen enjoys their inherent right to food security.