Hedge School 2010: Food Sovereignty – Rooting out the Causes of Global Hunger

Saturday, 23 October 2010, Kimmage DSC, Dublin

The Afri Hedge School 2010 was organised in partnership with Kimmage Development Studies Centre (KDSC) and took place on Saturday, 23 October in Kimmage DSC in Dublin.

The event focused on the fundamental right to food and discussed the importance of food sovereignty as a precondition for food security and tackling world hunger. Introductory talks were given by Alan Matthews, from the Economics Department at Trinity College Dublin, Former UN Assistant Secretary General Denis Halliday, and Clare O’Grady Walshe, who launched her new pamphlet, entitled Seeds of Hope in a World of Insecurity. The pamphlet deals with issues of food insecurity and loss of biodiversity and was edited by Dervla Murphy.

Following the morning session participants planted a hedge on the grounds of Kimmage DSC, in keeping with the ethos of the event and alluding to the original Hedge Schools, often located in the shelter of hedges during the Penal Law period.

In the afternoon participants engaged in a variety of workshops that explored in more depth the theme of the day. Fergal Anderson from Via Campesina held a workshop entitled Food Sovereignty: A Response to the Increasing Privatisation of the Commons, Fleachta Phelan from Comhlámh engaged participants on the issue of The Global Trade System and Hunger, and in Nessa Ni Chasaide’s workshop people learned about The Roots of the Problem: Debt, Tax and Financial Injustice.

In between the lively and thought-provoking debates throughout the day, the wonderful music of Justine Nantale and Sabor Cubano provided inspiration as well as space for thought and reflection.

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The pamphlet Seeds of Hope in a World of Insecurity by Clare O’Grady Walshe was sold out on the day of the launch, however, copies are now available from the Afri office. Please contact admin@afri.ie to place your order.

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Links

Hedge School 2010 Brochure (pdf)

Interview with Clare O’Grady Walshe on the Pat Kenny Show, Oct 22 2010