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A Food Sovereignty Approach to Localization in International Solidarity

Author

Listed:
  • Beatriz Oliver

    (Director of International Programs, SeedChange, Ottawa, ON K1P 5B1, Canada)

  • Leticia Ama Deawuo

    (Executive Director, SeedChange, Ottawa, ON K1P 5B1, Canada)

  • Sheila Rao

    (Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist, SeedChange, Ottawa, ON K1P 5B1, Canada
    Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada)

Abstract

Renewed calls for localization and the “decolonization of aid” are raising questions about whose knowledge and control are privileged. This article argues that in order to support local decision-making on food systems and agricultural aid, international solidarity work should look towards food sovereignty and agroecology approaches. Food sovereignty and agroecology, informed by feminist approaches, can provide important lessons for localization as they prioritize local knowledge and decision-making, and are based on social justice principles. They also provide alternatives to the problematic concept of “development”, particularly the agro-industrial development model which contributes to environmental and health crises, corporate concentration, colonialism and inequality. An example of the trajectory of the NGO SeedChange is provided to help illustrate how food sovereignty can: (1) provide an alternative to problematic development concepts, and (2) encourage localization and greater priority to global South perspectives. While acknowledging that there exist contradictions and challenges to shared decision-making, learning from partners in the global South working for seed and food sovereignty has been crucial to shaping the organization’s programs and policy advocacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatriz Oliver & Leticia Ama Deawuo & Sheila Rao, 2022. "A Food Sovereignty Approach to Localization in International Solidarity," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:5:p:145-:d:942017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank, 2003. "Reaching the Rural Poor : A Renewed Strategy for Rural Development," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 14084, April.
    2. Timothy A. Wise, "undated". "The Paradox of Agricultural Subsidies: Measurement Issues, Agricultural Dumping, and Policy Reform," GDAE Working Papers 04-02, GDAE, Tufts University.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucy Hinton & Sophia Carodenuto, 2025. "Exploring recipes of (de)colonization: a scoping review of decolonization and food systems scholarship," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 42(3), pages 2261-2282, September.

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