Peasants Occupying Global Policy Space

This study examines how united peasants in La Vía Campesina are shaping new patterns of internationalization and transnational activism. It explores how peasants - within the broader sovereignty movement - have become front-runners in carving out sub- and supra spaces to build support for a food system anchored in the framework of food sovereignty. With an emphasis on agency ‘behind the peasant voice’ the study focuses on the dynamics and challenges of rural constituencies to engage in the 2009-reformed Committee on World Food Security (CFS). While the CFS reform brings novel opportunities for people’s organizations to gain support for their struggles, it also brings immense challenges for the movements and the peasants delegated to participate in the UN processes, as they straddle two seemingly opposite worlds.