What will I be doing in South Korea?

I have been asked this question a number of times. Here is a more thorough answer.

In early 2011, I met Reciprocity, an Australian group interested in promoting the voice of peasant farmer's around the globe in order to build food sovereignty. The shared values we held led me to maintain the relationship with them: building a better future, working toward equality and building a shared understanding of agroecology as the path towards food sovereignty.

Reciprocity is using the rapidly changing Venezuela food model (to be discussed in another post) as the main driver of the project. Two trips to Venezuela have been carried out, where key groups have been identified and 4 projects have been established. These projects will be used in the next 12 months as a collaborative learning tool between Reciprocity and Venezuelan Campesinos, where the concepts of agroecology, food sovereignty and social equality will be the underlying drivers.

Why South Korea?

Because Reciprocity is a global concept. There are small scale peasant farmers in every nation with fertile land (yes, I know, big statement, no reference, but I will put up a list of further reading later on). We seek to establish communication networks between Australia, Venezuela, Japan and South Korea (as a starting point).

Our Australia and Venezuela networks are very well established. Japan groups have expressed interest and we are already developing relationships with them.

South Korea is the same; but this trip will help Reciprocity strengthen the relationship and expand the networks. It will give us an opportunity to learn about the current Campesino movement in South Korea as well as the South-East Asia region, as it is an international assembly.

The aims of the trip, for me, are:

1. To establish ongoing relationships with key peasant farmer movements in South Korea
2. To learn about the food production model of South Korea
3. To learn about the struggles of small scale producers, particularly ecosystem services oriented ones. 
4. To provide my insight on the Australian and Venezuelan food models.
5. Give a presentation of the Government driven agroecology focused agricultural policy in Venezuela
6. To try Korean beer. 

This trip is likely to be an amazing learning experience: for me, for Reciprocity and for other pariticpants.

This blog will be used throughout my trip (internet dependant, that is) to document events and my daily reflections.

Learning portfolio in action much?

FD

Before departure

From Canberra:

Tired.

Bag has been packed with Reciprocity t-shirts, bandanas, business cards, readings on peasant farmer movements, 2 books on food sovereignty, a laptop, a camera, other essential items.

Excitement building up.

Will tell you tomorrow what I will be doing in South Korea.

night!