On 2-3 September, Masifundise as part of the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty (IPC) attended the SSF Summit hosted by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. This summit facilitated dialogue between SSF social movements, fisherfolk and key stakeholders in the sector for the promotion and protection of the small-scale fisheries.
The SSF Summit was in preparation for 35th Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) that took take place 5-9 September.
The SSF the Summit presented the opportunity for different countries and civil society organisations to share strategies, experiences and tangible examples of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Voluntary Guidelines).
Masifundise, the South African members of the World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP) presented their project called: “Ensuring the socio-economic rights and decent work conditions for South Africa small-scale fishers”, in partnership with IPC Support NGOs Crocevia, FIAN and Transnational Institute (TNI).
This Socio-Economic Rights Project has been the vehicle Masifundise has used to implement the SSF Voluntary Guidelines in South Africa. The project’s activities are built on the SSF Guidelines and other Human Rights instrument to build the capacity of small-scale fishers to engage in the policies processes, advocate for their human rights to food, livelihoods and recognition.