In Memory of Carlo Petrini

With deep sorrow and profound gratitude, The Indigenous Partnership for Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty (TIP), NESFAS (India), PASD (Thailand), and our other global Indigenous Peoples partners mourn the passing of Carlo Petrini—the visionary founder of Slow Food International, a champion of local food traditions, and a fierce rebel against the reduction of food to mere consumption and convenience.

His impactful collaboration with Indigenous Peoples marked a historic milestone during the 5th International Slow Food Congress in Puebla, Mexico (2007). There, Carlo warmly welcomed a proposal by Phrang Roy (The Christensen Fund) and the Sami Peoples of Sweden to deepen Indigenous Peoples’ participation within the Terra Madre network. This pivotal agreement catalysed the growth of the global Indigenous Terra Madre (ITM) movement.

The ITM gatherings organized by Slow Food became vital international spaces for exchange, solidarity, and celebration, allowing Indigenous Peoples communities from different countries to share their food cultures, stories, struggles, and visions for the future. Through this platform, representatives from Nongtraw village of Meghalaya, India became the first members of a Khasi Indigenous community to visit the Arctic village of Jokkmokk in Sweden in 2011 participating in the inaugural Indigenous Terra Madre. Their journey symbolized a growing global recognition of Meghalaya’s rich food heritage and Indigenous knowledge systems.

Carlo dedicated his life to protecting biodiversity, defending the dignity of food, and strengthening community-led food systems. By founding Slow Food International, he inspired a global movement linking food to culture, identity, ecology, and justice. His advocacy played an essential role in strengthening the work of NESFAS and TIP, helping bring international visibility to Indigenous Peoples' food systems and traditional knowledge.

For the Indigenous communities of Meghalaya and TIP partners, Carlo was more than a global leader. He was a trusted friend who stood in true solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. A monumental milestone of this friendship was the 2nd Indigenous Terra Madre held in Meghalaya in 2015, beautifully organized in collaboration with Slow Food International, TIP, the Government of Meghalaya, and NESFAS.

Carlo Petrini’s words will continue to inspire us:

"Food has lost its value and become just a commodity… Only a return to local economies can change the paradigm of current food systems. We must not only talk—we must act."

Carlo Petrini’s legacy will live on through the communities, food traditions, and grassroots movements that continue to protect biodiversity and uphold Indigenous knowledge. TIP, NESFAS, and our partner communities extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the global Slow Food movement. May his spirit continue to guide all those working to protect Indigenous Peoples’ food systems and the shared future of humanity and Mother Earth.