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Theme: Diversity and Environmental Sustainability

A Citizens' Jury, 25-29 January 2006, Sikasso Mali

Citizens Space for Democratic Deliberation on GMOs and the future of farming in Mali
[en français]

What is the Citizens' Jury on GMOs?

As indicated by its name, this Citizens' Jury is a space to share knowledge, dialogue and inform decisions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in relation to the future of farming in Mali. This event involved farmers, -men and women-, from all districts of the Sikasso region in Mali.

When and Where did this take place?

The Citizens' Jury on GMOs took place in Sikasso between 25 and 29 January 2006.

NEW! Read the Citizens' Jury Verdict and Recommendations

Who organised it?

The Citizens' Jury on GMOs was organised by the Regional Assembly of Sikasso, with conceptual and methodological support by the Réseau Interdisciplinaire Biosécurité (RIBios) of the Institut Universitaire d’Etudes du Développement in Geneva and by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) in London. This project has been supported by funds from the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS). A Steering Committee was set up in June 2005 to develop and plan the Citizens' Jury. This Steering Committee was made of approximately 15 members representing the following institutions:

• Regional Assembly of Sikasso
• Centre Djoliba
• Jubilé 2000
• Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER)/Comité Régional de la Recherche Agronomique
• (CRRA)
• Compagnie Malienne de Développement des Textiles (CMDT)
• Association des Organisations Professionnelles Paysannes (AOPP)
• Union Rurale des Radios et Télévisions (URTEL)/Radio Kene
• Comité Régional de Concertation des Ruraux (CRCR)
• Coordination Régionale des ONG (CR/ONG)
• Jekasy/Intercoopération
• Chambre d’agriculture
• Commission Régionale des Utilisateurs de la Recherche (CRU)
• Syndicat des Producteurs de coton et vivriers (SYCOV)
• Syndicat pour la Valorisation des Cultures Cotonnières et Vivrières (SYVAC)
• International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) de Londres
• Réseau Interdisciplinaire Biosécurité (RIBios)/IUED Genève

Independent Oversight Panel

What were the Objectives of the Citizens' Jury?

The Citizens' Jury allowed farmers of the region:

1) to better understand what are GMOs and what the risks and advantages they carry;

2) to confront view points and cross examine expert witnesses, both in favour and against GMOs and the industrialization of agriculture,

See Timetable of Expert Witness Presentations

3) to formulate recommendations for policies on GMOs and the future of farming in Mali.

Who was involved?

The Citizens' Jury focused on farmers/producers of the Sikasso region. The population of the region is more than 1,600,000 inhabitants, it was therefore necessary to engage in a selection process to determine the participants of the Citizens' Jury. Approximately 43 participants coming from the 7 districts of the region were chosen as jurors. This selection was done with the support local organizations and structures, on the basis of a pre-selection of 290 farmers from all districts. A set of clear and transparent criteria were defined to allow a fair representation at the Citizens' Jury of the diverse types of farmers of the region (e.g. small, medium size farms). This jury selection process emphasised the need for equal representation of different farmers, in particular women and small scale producers.

Links to other Citizens' Juries:

Prajateerpu: A Citizens’ Jury
Scenario Workshop on Food Futures for Andhra Pradesh, India

Citizens' Juries on GMOs and farming futures in India
www.leisa.info

Des petits paysans et des marginaux ruraux s'expriment sur l'agriculture et les OGM, Revue Durable (French only)
Revue Durable (pdf)

Contact:

Dr Michel Pimbert, IIED Project Coordinator
michel.pimbert@iied.org

Barbara Bordogna (RiBios)
Barbara.Bordogna@iued.unige.ch

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