Global movements unite under shared agenda adopted at Nyéléni Forum in Sri Lanka, calling for transformation beyond capitalism and corporate control
It has been a month since social movements, Indigenous groups, farmers, fishers, feminists, and activists from over 100 countries gathered in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for the 3rd Nyéléni Global Forum and adopted the powerful Kandy Declaration—a collective roadmap toward food sovereignty, justice, and systemic change.
The declaration, rooted in decades of grassroots organizing and solidarity, continues to resonate among communities in Nepal and worldwide, offering a shared political vision in the face of escalating climate, food, health, and economic crises.
A Stand Against Corporate Control and Extractivism
The Kandy Declaration leaves no room for ambiguity in its critique of the global economic architecture. It names capitalism, imperialism, and financialization as drivers of inequality, ecological collapse, and cultural erosion. It specifically calls out the role of international financial institutions, transnational corporations, and complicit governments in advancing an extractive model that treats nature, traditional knowledge, and human labor as disposable commodities.
In Nepal, where land grabbing, seed patenting, and corporate-led agriculture threaten small farmers, the declaration’s emphasis on agroecology, seed sovereignty, and land rights aligns closely with the aims of many local farming and Indigenous-led organizations.
Feminist Economics and the Politics of Care
One of the standout features of the declaration is its grounding in popular feminism. It calls for the recognition and redistribution of care work—much of it performed by women—and commits to a general strike to highlight the centrality of care in societies. This focus offers a meaningful framework for gender justice advocates and women’s rights organizations in Nepal, where women form the backbone of agricultural production yet remain largely unrecognized in policy spaces.
Solidarity with Palestine and Oppressed Peoples Worldwide
The declaration also made international headlines for its explicit condemnation of the genocide in Palestine and other conflict zones, along with its endorsement of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This political stance reinforces the forum’s commitment to anti-imperialist solidarity—a stance that has been welcomed by justice advocates in Nepal.
A Call to Reclaim the Multilateral System
Rather than rejecting global governance entirely, the Kandy Declaration demands the democratization of institutions like the United Nations. It calls for meaningful participation of social movements in bodies such as the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and urges the implementation of already-won agreements, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
What Comes Next?
In the weeks since its adoption, the Kandy Declaration has begun to inform local and regional movement-building. From agrarian alliances in South Asia to feminist networks in Latin America, organizers are using the document to align strategies, educate new members, and strengthen cross-border solidarity.
In Nepal, where food sovereignty and climate justice are increasingly central to public discourse, the declaration may serve as a tool for unifying diverse struggles—from seed freedom and land reform to youth activism and Dalit rights.
As one Nepali participant at the forum noted, “The Kandy Declaration isn’t just a document—it’s a commitment. It reminds us that our local fights are part of a global movement for life, dignity, and justice.”
Key Takeaways from the Kandy Declaration:
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A united stand against corporate-driven agriculture, extractivism, and financialization of nature
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A commitment to food sovereignty, agroecology, and the rights of those who feed the world
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A feminist, anti-caste, anti-racist, and intergenerational approach to organizing
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Solidarity with Palestine, Congo, Sudan, and others facing genocide and war
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A plan to reclaim global governance from corporate capture
For Further Reading:
Full Kandy Declaration: nyeleniglobalforum.org
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