Two Invigorating Weeks At The United Nations
 Monday,
May 5, 2008 was a very special day. It marked the beginning of a unique
two-week period of presentations and intensive discussions between
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government representatives and
civil society groups at the Sixteenth Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development (CSD-16) held at United Nations (UN)
Headquarters, New York. With agriculture as one of its major themes,
CSD-16 provided a perfect forum to bring to the fore the issue of the
escalating rate of suicide among farmers made vulnerable by a host of
socio-economic factors in general, and Amma's Farmer Relief Project in
particular.
 CSD-16
focused on the topics of agriculture, rural development, land, drought,
desertification and Africa. Among the participants were various UN
Organizations (such as the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture
Organization, the Un Environment Program and the Inter-American
Development Bank), numerous government delegations to the UN and
officials from a number of Ministries and other governmental bodies
(H.E. Ms. Meena Gupta, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and
Forests of India and Dr. N.B. Singh, Commissioner, Department of
Agriculture and Cooperation of India), scientists and authorities from
academic institutions, private and public policy entrepreneurs, and the
so-called Major Groups encompassing representatives from: i)
international and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), ii)
Women, iii)Farmers, iv)Youth and Children, v) Indigenous People,
vi)Scientific and Technological Community, vii) Workers and Trade
Unions, and viii) Business and Industries.
In July
of 2005, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (M.A. Math) located in
Amritapuri, India, was granted consultative status to the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The headquarters of
Amma's international activities, M.A. Math has branch offices around
the world including M.A. Center in San Ramon, California, which
oversees Amma's North American operations.
As
an ECOSOC affiliated NGO, M.A. Math had the opportunity to participate
in CSD-16 as part of the NGO major group. We were also able to register
the Farmer Relief Project as a CSD partnership (of local government,
NGOs, farmers, women, and children). This offered the opportunity to
make a presentation about the plight of farmers as well as to
participate in the CSD-16 Partnership Fair.
 On
day number two, Tuesday, May 6th, a power point presentation largely
developed by AYUDH members in the U.S. served as the basis for a panel
discussion on the issue of the high rate of international farmers
suicide. This was followed by a lively, informative question and answer
period.
As part of raising awareness and creating an ongoing dialogue on the
issue of farmer suicide, an information booth was featured at the
Partnership Fair. A key part of the success of the booth was a
beautiful and informative display created by AYUDH members. Many
heartfelt thanks to AYUDH for your important contribution to the
success of the Farmer Relief Project's partnership participation.
As
the session progressed major groups were lobbied to include the
international farmer suicide issue in their statements to the CSD. By
the close of the meeting, the issue of international farmer suicide had
been brought to the floor as part of the Women Major Group's statement
on two consecutive days and was also included in the closing statement
of the NGO Major Group. The conference culminated on Friday, May 16th
with the Chairman's request to adopt the outcome Report of the
Sixteenth Session of the CSD. The issue of international farmer suicide
achieved a new level of awareness.
Reflecting back
on these eventful weeks, emerges one of our most enduring memories- the
image of the hallways and the Vienna Cafe located in the Conference
Wing packed with people conducting animated conversations. The
colorful, bright outfits of the Asian and African women created a
beautiful horizon of vibrant orange, yellow and green, reminiscent of
the exotic landscapes of their continents. As we departed the UN at the
close of the session, this colorful tapestry of dedication to peace and
humanitarian causes served as a vivid reminder of the hope and many
opportunities we are all empowered with as we strive to find solutions
to the tragedy of international farmer suicide.
- Carmen Gloria Arriagada
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