The Hunger Gathering

In mid-November, fourteen people from the UK travelled to Italy to be part of a global gathering of farmers, campaigners and activists. They came together (despite the efforts of the United Nations, Italian officials and NGO’s) to have a counter conference in opposition to the official World Food Summit, and to address the real issues of the current food crisis. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) summit was a joke, with governments and giant food multinationals such as Cargill, Nestle, Ciba Geigy, Unilever etc. promising, through biotechnology and free trade, to create food security.

There were various ideas about what the Hunger Gathering should attempt to achieve. Only a few had one objective - to shut down The Food Summit. Easier said than done.

Attending the Hunger Gathering were over 300 people including representatives from the Zapatistas, the Indian farmers union, the KRRS, as well as many others from all over the world. There were workshops, exhibitions, performances, demonstrations and actions throughout the week.

Helicopters constantly surveyed the squat, plain clothed police infiltrated meetings and took photographs of people entering and leaving. The Food Summit itself was guarded by 4,000 armed police and security. The political police even telephoned the squat to say that they were closely watching the British activists, that they knew their names and what they had planned.

Inside the summit, press conferences were disrupted by naked protesters revealing ‘The Naked Truth’ about biotechnology and free trade, sending the security into instant panic. On the streets Hunger Gathering participants protested with a black gag march and monuments were decorated with rotting flesh and bones - all pretty symbolic and surreal! Lessons were learnt by those that attended and next time they will be better prepared!

The most impressive thing to come from the gathering however was the incredible network of activists and campaigners from all over the world who are sharing information, tactics and building campaigns together. Our common understanding being that we need to regain control over the way our food is produced and distributed.

For further information contact Manchester EF! on: 0161 224 4846 or A-SEED Europe on: 31.20.668.2236, e-mail: aseedeur@antenna.nl.