2025 has enabled a restart of the international outreach of Farmers’ Dialogue, with a major gathering in March in Asia Plateau – Panchgani, India. How can we leave the earth in the best possible condition for our children? This fundamental question laid the groundwork for a week of cross-cultural exchange among 50 farmers coming from six continents and 15 countries, sparking rich and multidimensional conversations around the future of agriculture.  

By envisioning a healthier world for future generations, the FDI gathering focused on key themes such as ecological farming, economic viability for farmers and inclusion of youth. Through exchange of challenges, successes, best practices and opportunities, and with farm visits to see the Indian reality, the participants reached a clearer approach of all the challenges facing them.

At the heart of the gathering was a belief that lasting change begins at the personal level. This emphasis on inner transformation as a catalyst for rural development reflects the broader mission of Initiatives of Change. Holding the gathering in Asia Plateau was also a huge opportunity for participants to discover the IofC roots of FDI. It gave a chance to reflect on the values and vision behind IofC and to experiment with personal reflection as a catalyst for community-level change.

Next to the personal impacts of the gathering and the new friendships made, the participants agreed on future projects: an African Farmers’ Dialogue in 2026. The Ugandan team has decided to organize a Farmers’ Dialogue next April in Uganda. The preparation is on the way with a regional team. Two other projects: an initiative to be developed in Asia and a hope to revive the European Farmers’ Dialogue network.

The FDI Committee, renewed in 2024, is taking full responsibility to face new challenges and opportunities for the future of FDI, internationally and locally. One inspiring element has been the contact and teamwork with CoFSA (Conscious Food System Alliance) with a project to develop “Farmers’ Exchange Circles”. There have also been some contacts with a friend in FAO and a potential initiative for young girls’ training in agriculture. 

Apart from facing the financial challenges, we want in 2026 to develop and consolidate our regional activities on all continents, and to accompany young farmers in looking at their job in agriculture as a normal professional job.