Big thanks to COLDPLAY for their support!

By Carolina Garcia

Oh, what a busy and wonderful week Oxfam Action Corps Boston just had.

First of all, big shout out to Coldplay for supporting OXFAM's work around the world. For over ten years, they have invited OXFAM's volunteers to campaign at their concerts, and have brought our message to countless audiences worldwide. Did we mention they had big, bright OXFAM stickers on their t-shirts at the show? I really think it can't get any sweeter than that!

Here are some photos of Boston OXFAM Action Corps volunteers at work. And check out more from the North American tour in our Coldplay and Oxfam Facebook page.

Thanks to Rachel, Vivian, Bob and  everyone who came to volunteer with a big smile. We did an amazing job! #lovefoodhateinjustice

Bananas eat bananas?

Lovely!

Rock and roll, as usual ;)

Last week, Oxfam Action Corps Boston also participated in the Change 2012 training, with college students from all over the United States and other countries, as well.

Yoichi, from Oxfam Japan! 

And last but not least, we've also been busy at farmer's markets around Boston. Right before Coldplay last Sunday, we were at SOWA Open Market talking to people about the GROW Campaign.

Every farmer in the world should look this happy!

Ever wondered what is Oxfam's stance on GMOs?

Oxfam International's position on transgenic crops

Oxfam International Secretariat, April 26 – A number of organizations have recently published an open letter to Oxfam executives expressing their concern over Oxfam’s stance on transgenic crops. Specifically, they said a recent book based on research commissioned by Oxfam America, designed to look at the experiences of countries adopting transgenic cotton, had come to an overly “pro-GM” conclusion.

Oxfam takes these concerns seriously. We appreciate thatGM technology is a highly contentious issue and we regret any fault on our part that might have led to some misunderstandings of the research findings, in particular that they represent an endorsement ofGMOs  We hope that publishing Oxfam International’s position on biotechnology and development here helps to lay those concerns to rest.

Oxfam America has no policy position for or against GM technology and runs no field-based programs that promote it. The book in question, “Biotechnology and Agricultural Development: Transgenic Cotton, Rural Institutions and Resource-Poor Farmers,” was commissioned by Oxfam America to look at the experiences, positive or negative, of developing countries adopting transgenic cotton and the relevance (or irrelevance) of such technology in helping poor farmers. The book presents cases from India, Colombia, South Africa and China and highlights the challenges these countries have faced and the problems caused by weak institutional frameworks and structures.

The book’s main finding is thatBtcotton has only tended to function well as an exception, and that depended on farmers having all the information and support they needed to make good informed choices. The book's conclusion is that institutional investments in agriculture are more important and relevant for poor farmers than investment in transgenic crops.

The Oxfam International confederation – including Oxfam America – does not support GMOs as the solution to hunger, poverty and development. Oxfam believes that any decision to use GMOs must be based on the human rights’ principles of participation, transparency, choice, sustainability and fairness. Feeding the world’s hungry people requires huge social, political, economic and cultural changes, not a simple technological fix.

Oxfam understands that technology does matter and that modern biotechnology might play a role in helping to achieve global food security, but only so long as farmers are central to the process and that their rights are strengthened, not harmed. At the moment, GMOs represent a good business opportunity for some actors, but in general have not benefited poor farmers. As it stands today, GMOs have not delivered against the guiding principles of participation, transparency, choice, sustainability and fairness and public investments should prioritize options that do.

- Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director, Oxfam International

Happy GROW Method launch day!

By Carolina Garcia

The launch of the GROW Method is exciting news for consumers, especially mothers in the developed world, who are the main decision makers when it comes to grocery shopping and food. It gives us valuable tools and information on how small changes in our consumption and eating habits can make a big difference in the lives of millions around the world. 

The Grow Method is based on five easy ways for people who care about hunger to help. 

Taking the time to try any of these simple principles will really help people around the world who are struggling to grow food because of over demand for essential resources – like land and water – and changing weather patterns due to climate change. It is a brand new way of thinking about food - the way we buy, prepare, and eat it. 

As the New York Times explained in a recent article, Oxfam wants "American women to think more about the impact their families’ eating habits have on the environment and people in parts of the world where food is less abundant. Small changes in shopping, cooking and eating can add up to big positive changes in the food chain."

Check out our Facebook, Pinterest, and the GROW Method's blog, where OXFAM and people around the globe are sharing delicious and creative ideas on how to apply these five principles. 

In reaction to the Farm Bill approved by the House Agriculture committee, Gawain Kripke, director of policy and research for Oxfam America said:

“People facing hunger and poverty in the US and abroad lost major ground in the Farm Bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee. Big agribusiness interests won increased subsidies that distort trade and rig markets against poor farmers at the expense of US taxpayers who will face more job losses and food insecurity as a result of proposed cuts. Even modest attempts to amend the bill to ensure tax dollars would be spent more wisely to save lives and protect clean water and health were defeated. As more than 18 million people face a hunger crisis in West Africa and one in seven people in the US and around the world struggle to get enough to eat, Congress needs to step back and consider why a single voter should like this bill. The only reasonable course is to significantly amend or kill it.”