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Convergence at Monsanto’s World Agricultural Forum

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Convergence at World Agricultural Forum, 2003

From Missouri Resistance Against Genetic Engineering (MORAGE, waf@worldagforum.com)

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.