Convergence at the World Agricultural Forum

From Missouri Resistance Against Genetic Engineering (MORAGE):

The World Agricultural Forum, similar to the World Economic Forum, is a Monsanto-led, corporate-sponsored opportunity for agribusiness and biotechnology companies to lobby government leaders from around the world. The World Agricultural Forum held its first World Congress in May, 1999 with the stated mission to "bring together the many sectors of the agriculture industry and to initiate a global dialogue among us." Months later, magnificent protests erupted at the Seattle Round of the World Trade Organization. Since then, the WAF has worked hard to include token voices from NGOs and the global South. The WAF claims to be neutral and inclusive yet the registration fees to their event are more than what most farmers and many of the world's people make in a year.

This May 18-20, the WAF will hold its biennial event in St. Louis, MO at the ritzy, downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel at Union Station. The forum this year, called "Working Together to Create the Future and Disable the Barriers," places government leaders in a roundtable discussion to identify their concerns about food and agriculture. It then presents panels of corporate experts to provide their solution -- a future if free trade. With companies like Cargill, Monsanto and Nestle presenting, this means our future will be one of privatized water, genetically engineered seed, homogenized commodities over cultural diversity, and the transfer of capital and assets from rural communities to agribusiness.

People must raise their voice in opposition to such a corporate sham. Organizers with the Missouri Resistance Against Genetic Engineering are planning to meet this year's World Agricultural Forum in protest with our own version-the People's Agricultural Resistance.

Through protest, we will articulate a resounding "No!" to the neoliberal globalization agenda for agriculture. We believe in individual and community self-determination and we embrace diversity over efficiency. We will make space for those from the global South inside the event to resist corporate pressure and for the world's people to articulate alternatives. At the same time, we will assume responsibility for exposing corporations and governments that originate here.

On Sunday afternoon, May 18, the last day of Biodevastation 7 (Genetic Engineering: A Technology of Corporate Control), we will host a march and rally to give Biodevastation 7 participants and others an opportunity to focus their newfound knowledge in direct protest. Monday, May 19 will include several activities during the day, including a morning "meet and greet" of the WAF participants, a critical mass encircling the site of the WAF, and a people's forum. Monday will end with a dance party in opposition to the gala reception scheduled for WAF participants.

We are also creating a web site that will map the genealogy of the World Agriculture Forum and expose its relationships to the biotechnology and agribusiness industry, financiers and nonprofit front groups at www.worldagforum.com. We plan to ask organizations that legitimately represent people to end their affiliation with WAF and resign from their NGO Advisory Council.

We want anyone concerned about the World Agricultural Forum and its affects on the planet and all its inhabitants to come to St. Louis and let the corporations and wealthy nations know how you feel. We can house and feed you. Please visit us at www.worldagforum.com/action for news, updates, and logistical information.

Get more information on Biodevastation 7 at www.biodev.org, e-mail mrallen@mprsnd.org or call 314-353-8176. Call 314-771-8576 for more information on WAF actions.