Theme: “Systemic Transformation – Now or Never!”
Kandy (Sri Lanka): The third Nyeleni Global Forum was held in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from September 6–13, 2025. Over 700 delegates from 102 countries participated, and 60 per cent of the participants were women. The international peasant movement La Via Campesina was one of the key organizers, and the forum was hosted at the campus of the National Cooperative Development Institute.
This year’s forum slogan was “Systemic Transformation – Now or Never!” Many recalled the World Social Forum (WSF) held in Mumbai in 2004, which resonated with the slogan “Another World is Possible.”
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Legacy of Nyeleni
Nyeleni was a legendary peasant woman from Mali in West Africa, known for her pioneering spirit and her struggle against patriarchy and injustice. The forum is named in her honour.
• First Nyeleni Forum (2007, Mali): Focused on Food Sovereignty.
• Second Nyeleni Forum (2015, Mali): Dedicated to Agroecology.
• Third Nyeleni Forum (2025, Sri Lanka): Emphasised Systemic Transformation.
Originally, this global forum was scheduled to be held in India following the historic farmers’ struggle, but due to obstructions created by the BJP-led central government, it was shifted to Sri Lanka. The country’s left-leaning National People’s Power (NPP) government, where the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) plays a leading role, hosted the event.
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Participation from India
Invited Indian leaders included:
• Rakesh Tikait, National Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU)
• Yudhvir Singh, National General Secretary, BKU
• Dr Ashok Dhawale, National President, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS)
Additionally, Ms Chukki Nanjundaswamy of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) served as one of the main Asian organisers. All four are leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM).
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Opening Session
The opening began with a welcome speech by Ms Chukki Nanjundaswamy on behalf of the Global Steering Committee of Nyeleni and La Via Campesina.
Two Sri Lankan ministers from the NPP government also addressed the session:
• Vasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security & Cooperative Development
• Samantha Vidyaratna, Minister of Agriculture & Community Infrastructure
They extended greetings and highlighted progressive initiatives undertaken by their government. Ms Anuka Vimukthi de Silva, one of the key local organisers, delivered the vote of thanks.
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Key Sessions and Discussions
• Youth and women’s struggles
• Global solidarity with Palestine
• Debate on the 28-page draft political action program, which analysed current global realities and launched strong critiques of capitalism, colonialism, imperialism, neoliberalism, corporate plunder, patriarchy, racism, casteism, authoritarianism, and fascism.
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Intervention by Dr Ashok Dhawale
Representing AIKS, Dr Ashok Dhawale proposed two key amendments to the draft:
1. The inclusion of feudalism and religious fundamentalism as destructive forces confronting large parts of the world.
2. Given that “Systemic Transformation” is the chosen slogan of the forum, the draft must explicitly uphold socialism as the alternative socio-economic system—a vital omission that needs correction.
