GHAI collaborated with our partner FAKTA, an Indonesian consumer defense organization, to host our first Asia legal symposium in Bali, Indonesia the last weekend of May. Legal experts and advocates dedicated to using law to advance public health policies and transform food systems from 12 countries and 23 organizations attended.
They shared cutting-edge legal strategies, lessons learned and how to employ legal work strategically to implement and enforce best practice regulations to reduce diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCD). The group also discussed how to leverage human rights frameworks within the region to advance food policies and how to address trade challenges posed by policy opponents by using evidence free from conflicts of interest.
The symposium also provided a platform for participants to discuss innovative legal pathways to address all forms of malnutrition, including how litigation can be used to advance policy and to promote industry accountability. It established the foundation for a regional network of collaboration and knowledge sharing to address current and future challenges in food and nutrition policies, such as climate change and undue industry interference.
According to the FAKTA Indonesia team, “the Asia Legal Symposium was very useful for carrying out advocacy efforts, especially of excise taxes on packaged sweetened drinks in Indonesia, which is the main focus of the country at the moment. The workshop enriched the knowledge and insight of multiple CSOs from various countries that have implemented best practices.”
Ma-Anne Sto. Domingo, a lawyer from the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, shared that the workshop gave participants a rare opportunity to connect and learn from lawyers and advocates on the frontlines of the food and nutrition policy campaign in Asia. Ma-Anne mentioned: "There is so much to be gained from sharing and listening to these stories of successes and challenges that foster a sense of community among participants. It reminds us that there is always support available, and more importantly, that we need to keep the conversation going."
Amarjeet Singh, a Lawyer from India representing Consumer VOICE, shared his experience as a participant: “The symposium was meticulously planned and executed. It was a very helpful space for networking with legal experts from various countries. It will greatly contribute to strengthening food and nutrition policies and legal work in the Asian region.”
Jointly with FAKTA, GHAI’s legal team members Kate Konopka, Aura Guerrero, Juan Carballo and María Luján Abramo, along with Rhia Muhi and Silvana Paath, planned this dynamic event and facilitated conversations on legal challenges and solutions for advocacy purposes. FAKTA provided an important and timely presentation on their efforts to pass effective sugary beverage tax legislation, including using litigation and leveraging lessons learned from their tobacco control campaign.
This symposium marks a significant step towards empowering lawyers and advocates to shape the future of food and nutrition policy in Asia. A second African Legal Symposium in July will include the formalization of an African lawyers’ network, providing a guide for a similar Asian network.