News
The World Social Forum took pace in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 15-19 February under the theme “Another world now.”
The event focusing on debt was organised by the WCC with the Campaign to Abolish Illegitimate Debts.
To reduce the dependencies and lay the base for a life-affirming system, Philip Peacock, executive secretary for Justice and Witness of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, demanded: “We have to work together for the cancellation of all illegitimate debts, for example by means of a debt jubilee, and to establish a system which puts at the first the interests of people, not of profit.”
Peacock is also part of the New International Financial and Economic Architecture program where faith-based actors like the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Council of Churches work together.
WCC also organized a thematic panel on land and agriculture. This explored the multifaceted challenges posed by the accumulation, conversion, and disposition of land and natural resources, thereby jeopardizing traditional livelihoods predominantly based on agriculture, fishing, hunting, and forest-related activities. The discussion aimed to shed light on the pressing issues surrounding food, water, and the preservation of natural habitats.
Mr Ramesh Sharma, general secretary of EKTA Parishad, a mass-based peoples' movement for land rights in India, highlighted the growing issue of landlessness, attributing it to uncontrolled urbanization and corporate land grabs. He stressed the need for equitable land rights and advocated for recognizing women's roles in agriculture and land ownership. Additionally, Sharma discusses the Forest Rights Act and emphasized the importance of legislation guaranteeing land rights for marginalized communities.
Mr Rajendra Singh, “waterman of India”, emphasized the essential contributions of communities , especially that of women to environmental rejuvenation efforts, particularly in land and water management. Singh underscored the interconnectedness of land and water in sustaining livelihoods and calls for collective action to address environmental challenges.
Another speaker, Ms Joann Lee, programme officer with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, presented insights from the G20 Global Land Initiative.
Dinesh Suna of WCC, who moderated the thematic panel said, “I am happy to see WCC playing an active role at the WSF this year. Being a founder member of the WSF, the WCC has long played important role in accompanying people’s movements. By organizing these events on life and livelihood , WCC is reclaiming its role as an enabler of social movements.”
WCC led events produced statements which were backed by dozens of participating organizations of WSF.
Statement on Land and Agriculture
WCC to share key insights at World Social Forum (WCC news release, 9 February 2024)
