Agroecology Europe Embraces Decolonial Approach Following AEMED 2025
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Following the Agroecology Europe Mediterranean (AEMED) 2025 conference, the Agroecology Europe Youth Network is spearheading a movement towards decolonial agroecology, emphasizing justice, decolonization, and political responsibility within the Mediterranean context. this shift acknowledges the region’s ecological challenges,militarized migration policies,and the need to address Europe’s role in global systems of domination.
Youth Network’s Preparatory Work
In preparation for AEMED 2025, the Agroecology Europe Youth Network collaboratively developed visual materials and a digital library, Knowledge for Liberation: An Agroecological Toolkit for the Mediterranean. These resources aimed to foster dialog, reflection, and political engagement, setting the stage for meaningful discussions during the conference and shaping a shared political vision.
Political Assembly: Solidarity in Action
On June 9, in collaboration with Sicilian activists and practitioners, the Youth Network organized a political assembly titled “For an Agroecological Movement in the Mediterranean Rooted in Solidarity.” This participatory space facilitated reflection on the role of the conference and agroecology in addressing the political and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader colonial landscape of the Mediterranean.
Did You No? The UN estimates that over 2 million Palestinians are in need of humanitarian assistance as of June 2024, highlighting the urgency of addressing the crisis in Gaza.
Participants heard testimonies from a Palestinian delegation, illustrating the challenges of practicing agroecology under occupation, where access to essential resources like land, water, and seeds is systematically denied.Growing food becomes an act of survival and resistance in this context.
The assembly shifted the focus from whether agroecology should be political to what kind of politics it must carry, influencing the conversation’s tone and depth.
Collective Political Statement
The urgency of the initial session led to a second assembly, moderated by the Youth Network, focused on co-writing a collective political statement for the conference plenary. Farmers, organizers, youth, members of the AEMED organizing committee, and the Agroecology Europe board participated in this democratic process, contributing to the statement’s drafting.
The resulting statement was presented at the final plenary on June 12 and approved by consensus, becoming an official declaration of the AEMED 2025 conference.
Key Elements of the Statement
The statement reaffirms the political vision of the Nyéléni Declaration, asserting that food sovereignty and justice are incompatible with occupation, apartheid, or the systemic destruction of land and life. it references international legal instruments such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of peasants (UNDROP) and the UN Resolution on the Right to Food, both of which are being violated in Palestine.
The inclusion of the term ecocide was crucial, emphasizing the long-term devastation caused by the destruction of ecosystems, fields, water sources, and resources. The statement underscores that agroecology cannot remain silent in the face of such annihilation.
Moving Forward: Decolonial Agroecology
This experience highlighted that decolonial agroecology is central to the Mediterranean context and the credibility of the agroecology movement in Europe. It demonstrated the potential to build a cohesive and political agroecological movement that addresses injustice directly.
The General Assembly of Agroecology Europe on June 23 acknowledged the contributions of board members in Agrigento and agreed to develop a Position Paper on Decolonial Agroecology. A dedicated space will be organized at the upcoming Malmö Forum to co-create a long-term strategy for Agroecology Europe, ensuring that decolonial values are integrated into all actions.
According to a 2023 report by the International Panel of experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), agroecology is vital for transforming food systems and addressing social and ecological challenges.
the call to action remains: Ceasefire now. End the genocide. Food sovereignty for Palestine.And for all.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 9, 2025 | Political assembly: “For an Agroecological Movement in the Mediterranean Rooted in Solidarity” |
| June 10, 2025 | Second assembly: Co-writing of collective political statement |
| June 12, 2025 | Final plenary: Statement approved as official declaration of AEMED 2025 |
| June 23, 2025 | Agroecology Europe General Assembly: Agreement to develop Position Paper on Decolonial Agroecology |
Evergreen Insights: background, Context, Historical Trends
Agroecology has emerged as a critical approach to transforming food systems, addressing the limitations and negative impacts of industrial agriculture. The movement emphasizes ecological principles, social justice, and local knowledge to create sustainable and resilient food systems. The focus on decolonization within agroecology recognizes the historical and ongoing power imbalances that shape food production and distribution, especially in regions like the Mediterranean. By centering justice and political responsibility, agroecology aims to challenge systems of domination and promote food sovereignty for all communities.
FAQ: Decolonial Agroecology and AEMED 2025
What actions can individuals take to support decolonial agroecology? How can institutions better support youth-led initiatives in this movement?
