From the 3rd of November until tomorrow, more than 5,000 food professionals and up to 640 delegates belonging to 140 indigenous peoples are gathered in Shillong (India) celebrating their food culture and discussing ways to join their ancestral knowledge and expertise in sustainable food production. "We are here to learn from each other, to collectively interpret the future we want” asserted Phrang Roy, the North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) chairman and coordinator of Indigenous Partnership.

This 5-day event is a celebration of the world’s human diversity, and in particular the value of indigenous peoples’ vision in which food culture, ancestral knowledge and spirituality come together as an integral part of life. “Food are our relatives. We are no better than them, and we are entirely dependent on them for survival” stressed Winona LaDuke, a Native American activist. In the same line, Carlo Petrini, the founder of Slow Food lamented that "Food has lost its value, becoming just a commodity. We are losing our histories and food heritage. Only a return to local economies will change the paradigm of the current food systems."

In his opening speech Prince Charles also acknowledged the paramount role of indigenous peoples in shaping a better and more just food production system: "We look into indigenous wisdom and develop an approach that acts globally, but thinks locally," he said. 

FAO is contributing to this inspiring event by presenting its work for and with indigenous peoples and pastoralists, exchanging knowledge and experiences, holding dialogue and strengthening its network and cooperation with indigenous peoples and partner organizations on how to achieve the future that we want.