IFOAM: Principles of Fairness and Health

During the plenary of the second day at the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress, Howard Shapiro and Alan Greene will both speak to the Principle of Health. Howard Shapiro will share his insights on the relation between organic agriculture and health, based on his over 35 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry systems, plant genetics and food production systems.

Amongst others, he wrote ‘Gardening for the Future of the Earth’. Alan Greene, a holistic pediatrician, helps parents raise strong, well-nourished kids who respect the environment. He's the author of a new book, “Raising Baby Green”, which shows the direct relationship between raising a healthy child and helping the environment.

Frances Moore Lappé and Alice Tepper Marlin will focus their contribution on the Principle of Fairness. With her book ‘Diet for a small planet’ Moore Lappé awoke a whole generation to the human-made causes of hunger and the significance of our everyday choices. Tepper Marlin is president and CEO of Social Accountability International, a global standard-setting organization for improving workplaces and communities. Her book ‘Shopping for a better world’ points out that everybody can contribute in making this world a better place by making conscious choices every day.

President Evo Morales from Bolivia is expected to give presence to the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress. Morales strongly believes in the necessity to govern with indigenous ancestors’ models: participation, community work and honesty. Originating from the indigenous community Isallavi, he helped with the agricultural work and became an activist for indigenous farm worker rights.

During the second day of the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress the participants can choose from more than ten parallel sessions, varying from Social Justice, Food Security & Sovereignty, Government Support Policies to Education, Plant Breeding and Control of Pests and Diseases. A guided poster tour in the afternoon will highlight the scientific poster contributions to the Congress, stressing the role scientific research plays to continuously improve organic agricultural systems.

During the evening the participants can enjoy the Gala Dinner at which the winner of the One World Award will be announced. IFOAM is patron of the newly established One World Award, which recognizes not only outstanding engagement and achievements in the organic movement but also contributions that merit globalization in our one and only world.

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