Countdown to Terra Madre

As delegates from around the world begin to arrive in Turin, Italy, anticipation builds for the fourth Terra Madre world meeting which will open this Thursday, bringing together more than 5,000 representatives from the worldwide Terra Madre network.

Coinciding once again with the international Slow Food fair Salone del Gusto (October 21 to 25), the five-day meeting will bring together food communities, cooks, academics, youth and musicians from all over the world, who are united in a desire to promote sustainable local food production in harmony with the environment while respecting knowledge handed down over the generations.

Since its inception in 2004, the world meeting has grown and developed in numbers and scope, with this year a special focus being dedicated to cultural and linguistic diversities – in recognition of the need to defend minority ethnic groups and indigenous languages, and with an appreciation of the value of oral traditions and memory. At the opening ceremony, representatives of indigenous communities from all continents across the world will speak to the audience in their native languages.

The second day will be dedicated to examining eight crucial issues for the future of agriculture and the planet (from biodiversity to renewable energies and education to traditional knowledge). On the third day communities will meet in national and regional sessions, while on the fourth day Earth Workshops will be held.

The official closing session of Terra Madre will be marked by the presentation of a program of proposals from the Terra Madre network for a sustainable future.

There will be specific opportunities during the event to receive information, to present projects involving taste education (gardens, canteen projects etc.) or food biodiversity (Presidia and Earth Markets) and to organize Terra Madre Day in your community or country – with the second edition to be held on December 10, 2010 around the world. The Terra Madre youth network will play an important role during the event.

For more information:
www.terramadre.org