Mr.Nicholas Chinnappan from IRDS, representing FIMARC attended the International Civil Society Consultation on UNDROP in Ivory Coast. Representatives of the following International Civil Society Movements participated in the Consultation – La Via Campesina, World Forum of Fisher People, ROPPA(Peasants and Farmers Organization in West Africa), FIMARC, MIJARC, World March Of Women, Friends of the Earth, RIPESS( Peoples Movement for Social and Solidarity Economy) , Peoples Health Movement.
Mr. C Nicholas had the opportunity of sharing the collective initiatives of Tamil Nadu Land Rights Federation to address the issue of hunger and poverty and the issue of Climate Change. He also insisted the need for promoting the leadership of the younger generation of the marginalized communities with equal representation of the women. The next consultation will be organized in Asia after two years.
On 25th and 26th of May as planned earlier IRDS conducted ‘Know your Village’ program for young people in their center in which 42 young leaders of which 12 were boys participated. Eight young boys could not participate due to the admission process for their higher studies. All IRDS Team members were also present in this program.
The focus of the dialogues in these two days was on how to develop collective employment opportunities in their respective villages based on the resources available in their villages while addressing the issue of climate change in their villages. The participants were divided into 5 groups and had very brief discussions .
The participants came to the conclusion that there are opportunities of developing collective organic farming which includes dairy farming with traditional cows together with their family members, collection of traditional food grains and value addition like making oils, milk products,cleaning and packing of food materials to be directly exchanged with others. One group who are pursuing Health studies like micro biology, nursing, pharmacy also came up with setting up of a medical hub to address the issue of health issues in the surrounding villages.
The participants also insisted the need for finding financial resources from the Government under the special budget allocation for the self employment of Dalits . They also felt the need for special sessions on how to avail the financial support from the Government from the special budget allocation for the development of the Dalits. This session would be organized for two days in the end of June in which some experts would be invited to speak elaborately on this topic. The IRDS team members had also assured that they would contact the concerned officials to come for the coming session on this issue.
The young people also assured to regularly collect membership from those young people who would like begin such collective initiatives in their villages. As a first step they also suggested to begin such collective initiatives in one village which would help them to understand the method and begin in their respective villages. These initiatives will be started by those young people who have completed their studies and who would be completing in the coming year.
The participants also insisted that in all our villages they would monitor the MNREGA work together with other village community members and also the Panchayath representatives which would protect and promote commons like Lakes, Tanks, Canals and Community Forests to address the issue of climate change and also support the farming activities.The program was well organized and useful for the participants.*