Newsletter no 33 - Kids and Food Sovereignty

Kids and Food Sovereignty
We are aware that to achieving a world where peoples’ food sovereignty is a reality demands crucial discussions about food systems, access to and control over natural resources, political and legal debates on gender and on seeds, as well as social struggles and mobilization. But one essential element among these – and progressively gaining more attention – is the role of children.
The future of the struggles for the realization of food sovereignty and the right to (...)

The place of child nutrition in food sovereignty
In our political work to raise awareness, educate and mobilize for food sovereignty, what importance do we attach to feeding our daughters and sons around us? Is this a minor issue, of interest only to mothers? Below are some thoughts on why the topic of child nutrition and the active participation, in their own right, of children in our movement is vital for the future of food sovereignty.
From malnutrition to childhood obesity - what is (...)

BOX 1 - Fighting against the impact of “Big Food” advertising on children in Colombia
Children have been seen as a lucrative market niche for big food companies responsible for producing ultra-processed edible products, i.e. those with high concentration of sugar, salt and fat. Such products and also sweetened drinks have been one of the main reasons for the growing numbers of diabetes and obesity among children and teenagers around the world. In Colombia, 15.7% of the children aged 5-17 (...)

Voices from the field: Testimonies from children belonging to food producer’s communities
COLOMBIA
My name is Juan Simón Briceño Ávila and I’m 7 years old. I come from a town called Barinitas in Venezuela. Now we live in a hamlet called Brasil in Viotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia. We live in the country and I like living here, because I’m free to walk and play. My favourite game is boy superheroes, and I play football with my school friends. My favourite dish is egg salad, with lettuce and carrot. (...)