Localizing globally - 2023
For a fourth year in a row World Localization Day was celebrated by our global partners on six continents. From Australia to Zimbabwe, Korea to Germany, Estonia to Argentina, groups and organizations hosted a wide and impressive variety of events. Listen to powerful messages from localization leaders and lively discussions from speakers sharing hands-on experience with strengthening local economies and cultures.
Listen to video messages
by Salim Dara, Thais Mantovani and Keibo Oiwa
Salim Dara
farmer, agroecologist, educator
From Global to Local in Benin, West Africa
Thais Mantovani
co-founder of EcoUniversidade
How can we Localize Regeneration in Brazil?
Keibo Oiwa
educator and grassroots leader
Movement for Local Food and Alternative Education is Growing in Japan
Global partner events
In the month of June, grassroot groups and organizations from across the globe, hosted in-person and online gatherings and campaigns to raise awareness of localization and celebrate the growing worldwide movement. A special mention goes to Japan's World Localization Day committee, which held over 22 events all around Japan; to the community of Tillamook, USA, which declared all of June as Local Food Month; and to Ghana's farmers' market network, which celebrated their first World Localization Day, with 23 farmers' markets dedicated to the campaign. See a snapshot below:
Native seed exhibition - Peru, hosted by Asociación Aymara Suma Yapu
They also organised an "encounter of ancestral knowledge and tastes" where wise grandmothers shared local delicacies from the land.
Launch a 3-month training program - Argentina, hosted by Academia de Mujeres Emprendedoras (Awe)
-The program provided support to a network of 30 entrepreneurial women.
Celebration of the International Year of millet - Zimbabwe, hosted by Shashe Smallholder Farmer Organization (SFO)
The aim was to put the focus on local millet varieties.
All day program with keynote speeches on localization - Japan, hosted by the Sloth Club, and co-hosted by nine leading Japanese organizations
The exciting day also included musical performances and appearances by inspiring artists.
Eat Local Challenge - Australia, hosted by the Slow Food and World Farmers Markets Coalition
From June 18-25, 2023, market shoppers needed to commit to purchasing a meal that was 100% local.
All day program with local games and more - Bangladesh, hosted by the Institute of Wellbeing (IWB)
Villagers, including teachers and students, enjoyed the fun day with local games, local food display, and an essay competition.
Webinars
Localizing globally: building a worldwide movement
Dive into two fast-paced and inspiring conversations between leading localization-activists sharing their hands-on experience with strengthing local economies and cultures, and discussing the trends and challenges that the localization movement is facing. Find your favorite speakers below:
Session 1 featuring: Arnold Padilla (PAN Asia Pacific, Philippines), Seetha Ananthasivan (Bhoomi College. India), Debra Efroymson (Institute of Wellbeing, Bangladesh), Michelle Maloney ( NENA (New Economy Network Australia), Keibo Oiwa (The Sloth Club, Japan), Shail Shrestha (Digo Bikas Institute, Nepal), Vicki Selwyn-Barnett (Community builder, Australia), Kunzang Deachen (Local Futures Ladakh), Vu Truong (VCIL Travel School, Vietnam).
Session 2 featuring: Salim Dara (Solidarité Rurale, Benin), Thais Mantovani (EcoUniversidade, Brazil), Jay Tompt (REconomy Project, Transition Towns, UK), Jesus Iglesias Saugar (EU Climate Pact Ambassador, Spain), Juan Del Rio (Spanish Transition Network, co-director of film 'Alter Nativas, Spain), Nelson Mudzingwa (Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum, Zimbabwe), Marija Uzunova Dang (UWC (United World Colleges), Macedonia, UK), Chris Smaje (Author of 'A Small Farm Future' and ‘Saying No to a Farm-Free Future', UK), Saad Dagher (Global Ecovillage Network, The Humanist Farm, Palestine).