On October 21st, activists, companies, investors, scientists and Dutch government representatives will come together in De Balie in Amsterdam, to debate the best way to end land grabbing due to rising palm oil demand. Hosted by Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands). Entrance is free, but registration required.

Panelists will share their ideas and solutions and challenge each other in an open debate. Hear speakers from Liberia, Tanzania, Indonesia and the Netherlands. Introduction by Geert Ritsema, (Milieudefensie-Friends of the Earth Netherlands), moderated by Wouter Kurpershoek.

Speakers

• Silas Kpanan’Ayoung Siakor (SDI – Friends of the Earth Liberia)
• Kurniawan Sabar (Walhi – Friends of the Earth Indonesia)
• Elias Mtinda (ActionAid Tanzania)
• Anne van Schaik and Robbie Blake (FoE Europe)
• Anna Pot (Dutch pension fund APG)
• Annelies Zoomers (LANDac)
• Neste Oil (tbc)
• Margarine, Vetten en Oliën (MVO) (tbc)
• Sime Darby (tbc)
• Dutch ministry of foreign affairs (tbc)

Deabte issues

• What are-the current problems with palm oil and large-scale plantations?
• Sustainability policies: a guarantee to stop landgrabbing?
• Biofuels: an environmental blessing or curse?
• Community land management and agroecology: a realistic alternative to large scale plantations?

For more information, visit the website of Friends of the Earth Netherlands.