Seeds of the Sacred Commons
Faith, Science, and Communities Sustaining Biodiversity
A Community of Practice on Farmer-Managed Seed Systems and Commons Governance
What: In-Person side event during the CBD COP17 on Biological Biodiversity
When: 15:00 – 15:50 local time (13:00 – 13:50 Brussels time)
Where: Faith Hub, CBD COP17, Yerevan, Armenia
Language: EN
How to participate: Access badge to CBD COP17 premises required.
Join us at CBD COP17 for a community dialogue bringing together farmer-scientists, local communities, faith-based actors, scientists, and biodiversity practitioners.
About this event:
What makes a seed a commons? It is not only the genetic resource itself, but a societal responsibility to collectively care for, sustain, and govern biodiversity as a global common good. This also raises a fundamental moral and ethical question: what responsibilities do we have toward the communities, species, and future generations that conserve and depend on this diversity?
How do farmers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities sustain seed diversity through knowledge, relationships, exchange, and collective governance? What can these practices teach us about protecting biodiversity and building resilient food systems?
The conversation will explore farmer-managed seed systems, knowledge commoning, Indigenous and local knowledge, farmers’ rights, equitable benefit-sharing, and the moral and ethical dimensions of stewardship, solidarity, the common good, and responsibility toward future generations. Seeds are more than genetic resources. They are living commons sustained by communities across generations.
CIDSE contact: Emmanuel Yap, Food and Land Policy Officer (yap(at)cidse.org)
Cover illustration: flyer event. Credit: Event organisers.