Posts

New episode: transforming the politics of knowledge a just food system

We are happy to share with you an exiting new episode on *transforming the politics of knowledge for a just food system*! When we started producing this People vs Inequality Podcast series on Food Justice, I immediately knew that I wanted to look at this topic. Having worked on land and food issues for many years, it has always struck me that there is such a debate over who holds the truth and solutions - on sustainable agriculture, food security or sovereignty, land governance. Still too often the voices and knowledges (!) of those actually producing the food, trading the food and cooking the food across large parts of the globe are not considered. It was a pleasure to speak to Eloisa Delos Reyes about Feminist Participatory Action Research as a tool for change. The why, the how, the challenges and opportunities it brings. The narratives that lead to erosion of existing knowledges and a sense of disempowerment, and how to challenge these - because really, what do we co

Food justice: A quick recap, update and call to action

Image
As we are about to take a care break, we share some updates, reflections and a call for support. And invite you to stay tuned for more People vs Inequality & food justice! These were only some of the headlines in the news as we kicked off our food justice series earlier this year. The food price and hunger crisis is real. So are the inequality and climate crisis that are so closely linked.  The good news is this is increasingly recognized - at least in some circles. A recent report by the High Level Panel on Food and Nutrition Security found that it "is essential to understand that inequalities in FSN and its #foodsystems drivers are underpinned by deeper systemic drivers" and that these need to be addressed. "Systemic drivers frequently act to widen pre-existing inequalities as the most vulnerable are least able to cope or adapt." says lead author B. Shankar.  The bad news is we still see a lot of business as usual in spaces of power. The UN Food Systems Summ

Food justice episode 2: Challenging corporate power in the food system

Image
  In the second episode of the food justice series we dive into the role of large multinational companies in the food system and what citizens and campaigners can do to shift power in favour of people and planet. We speak to Nina Holland, who is a researcher and campaigner on food and agriculture at Corporate Europe Observatory.  Her motto: “If you want to win a fight, you need to know what you're up against and how the system works.“  As many citizens and activists are figuring out how to challenge the disproportionate power of corporations in political decision making and our lives, we hear from Nina about the tricks, narratives, and the solutions that she sees. Keen to learn more about how to challenge corporate power - whether in the food system or beyond? Grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation !  A few reflections on this episode and topic that is luckily getting more attention these days: It was great to finally have a chance to speak to Nina Hollan

New series out now! From a Broken Food System to Food Justice for All

Image
People vs Inequality Podcast goes Food Justice     There are few things in life we depend on and engage with as much as food. Yet, more and more people are finding it difficult to access healthy and adequate food. After the food price crisis of 2008, prices have rocketed again since last year and the UN declared 821 million people faced hunger in 2021. Covid-19, the climate crisis, and conflict are only some of the reasons for this. Whilst communities and governments are trying to grapple with this reality, we speak to those on the frontline of the food justice struggle to explore: What causes the food system to fail on us time and again? How do inequalities play out in different parts of the world and how are different constituencies responding? What are solutions and obstacles for a more just and sustainable food and agricultural system? What does that mean for shifting and transforming power (between farmers and big business, between global north and

A conversation on intersectional movement building - catch up now

Image
  We are excited to share with you our first live podcast recording and event we hosted together with the Fight Inequality Alliance. You can find it here . How are the climate and inequality movement coming together? What are challenges and opportunities to making movements more inclusive, intersectional and systemic? What does it look like in practice? The People vs Inequality Podcast and the Fight Inequality Alliance join hands for a virtual event and podcast conversation on intersectional movement building. We speak with frontline leaders to explore how the climate and inequality movements are coming together. People across the world face a series of intertwined crises that need action on an unprecedented scale. We discuss how we can build more inclusive, intersectional movements that are key to driving the structural changes we are fighting for.  Catch up on a challenging and insightful conversation, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging knowledge and ideas from d

From youth leadership in Nepal to women's workers in Argentina: a recap on Emergent Agency

Image
After our succesful launch of the series 'Emergent Agency in a Time of Covid' with Kenyan widow's rights organizer Roseline Orwa, we had three other inspiring episodes . Here's your recap! In our first ever Spanish episode we spoke with Dina Sánchez (see Spanish description below*), a powerful workers' movement builder and feminist in Argentina. We heard how social movements in Argentina saved lives during the pandemic and how women from poor neighbourhoods are organizing for their rights.  From the personal to the political – we talk about how women and informal workers were particularly affected and what life in poor neighbourhoods looks like during a pandemic. We discuss important lessons on solidarity, addressing urgent needs and working for long-term structural change, and perseverance. But also what the pandemic meant for unpaid carework and the political agenda of movements who have the streets as their centre stage. Dina Sánchez is Deputy Secretary

Invisible women: a story and podcast of Emergent Agency (new series & episode out now!)

Image
We have been working hard to prepare a new series, this time in collaboration with Oxfam and their Emergent Agency project. And we are happy to share this with you! It is widely recognized that the pandemic and lockdowns led to an increase in poverty and inequality. But also that people showed incredible resilience and agency in responding to difficult and rapidly changing circumstances. For this series we teamed up with Oxfam, who spent 18 months collecting case studies and discussing lessons with activists, development practitioners, and researchers.  We highlight the stories of four changemakers that responded to the pandemic in new and innovative ways. From social entrepreneurs to organizers and movement leaders: what did they see, do, and learn in these past two years? How did they adapt and what does this tell us about how to move forward? Episode 1 is out now ! We start with Roseline Orwa, an award-winning advocate for widows and the founder of the Rona Foundation. When