A Food Sovereignty Approach to Localization in International Solidarity

Beatriz Oliver (), Leticia Ama Deawuo and Sheila Rao
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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

Societies, 2022, vol. 12, issue 5, 1-14

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.

Keywords: localization; NGOs; food sovereignty; agroecology; development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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