One of the four principles of Organic Agriculture is Fairness. Fairness is characterized by equity, respect, justice and stewardship of the shared world, both among people and in their relations to other living beings.

This principle emphasizes that those involved in organic agriculture should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers. Organic agriculture should provide everyone involved with a good quality of life, and contribute to food sovereignty and reduction of poverty. It aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products. In this regard the overlaps between organic agriculture and the process of defending and advancing fundamental human rights are clear.

With approaches to the stewardship of the environment, agriculture and the finite resources of our planet increasingly being linked with the protection of human rights, how do the principles of organic agriculture and human rights overlap, how can they support each other and ultimately how can they work in harmony to create a fair and just society.

John McCormick started Helens Bay Organic Garden in 1991, one of Northern Ireland’s first organic farms. John is a champion of sustainable food and a man of vision. He is interested in offering a perspective on why & how farmers farm and deliver food, as a human right issue.

Jo Facer is a market gardener who is passionate about encouraging others to grow their own food. She grows vegetables commercially, both for the catering and supper club business she co-owns with her wife, and for sale to the public. She is a soil and compost fanatic and is interested in exploring various forms of sustainable food production. Jo will tell you why she believes food can change the world - and how organic growing is at the heart of this transformation.

Pauline Flynn works for PPR, an organisation that puts Human Rights at the service of the most disadvantaged. She also works at GROW community gardens in North Belfast. Pauline will speak on the theme of a right to healthy food and how access to organic healthy food can be democratised and move beyond the preserve of the middle & upper classes.

www.nihrf.com @NIHRF #NIHRF