Unity Statement

UNITY STATEMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE
MULTI-STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY SEARICE

WE RECOGNIZE THAT Filipino farmers have contributed greatly to the conservation and development of the Philippines’ agricultural biodiversity.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT Filipino farmers are instrumental in feeding the entire Philippine population but remain to be the most poor.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT the Philippines was bestowed with diverse genetic resources, but that we as a people should take on the collective responsibility to proactively conserve and protect this wealth.

We, the representatives from the government, civil society, and the academe, recognize our crucial role in upholding our farmers’ rights to seeds.

We stand in solidarity with our farmers.

We have united for the Future of Seeds, Food and Agriculture.

We are facing major challenges. The Multi-Stakeholder Workshop is our response to these challenges. Through our unity, we can continue to preserve our ideal of a thriving and self-sustaining Philippine agricultural sector. Our solidarity makes us strong.

We, the representatives from the government, civil society, and the academe, have united to realize our dream of a vibrant and thriving Philippine agricultural sector.

WE COMMIT TO advance Filipino farmers’ rights over seeds and genetic resources.

WE INTEND TO uphold the right of farmers to participation and decision-making, especially where their democratic participation proves to be crucial.

WE INTEND TO celebrate indigenous knowledge in farming and seed breeding, and allow for opportunities that can make them flourish.

WE INTEND TO participate in the campaign to change and shape the policies and perceptions that affect farmers.

WE CALL ON the Philippine Government to examine, within the context of its work, priorities and available resources, the potential impact of new and emerging technologies with special consideration of its effects on the tri-peoples of Mindanao (especially the smallholder farmers and local communities), and associated traditional knowledge.

WE CALL ON the Philippine government to put the tri-peoples of Mindanao, especially the smallholder farmers and local communities, and the women and youth, at the heart of decision-making around these critical agricultural policy decisions.

Collectively, we vow to take a stand for the Future of Seeds, Food and Agriculture.

Signed at the Multi-Stakeholder Workshop organized by the Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE), on the twelfth day of October, 2018.