ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the main debates and tensions related to La Vía Campesina's (LVC's) building of its pattern of internationalisation while engaging with others. It shows that the movement does not uncritically follow a pattern of aligning with elite allies to secure its survival. Rather, the movement constantly seeks to assert its autonomy while engaging with others. The chapter presents a few examples of LVC's relationships with international institutions, state actors/political leaders, NGOs and academics. It reveals that these relationships are not static but negotiated, debated, and evaluated within the movement. The chapter demonstrates that LVC is simultaneously an actor and an arena consisting of exchange and debate among national, sub-national and regional peasant and farmers' groups. Building a relationship with allies inside institutions is a central part of LVC's lobby strategy, in particular when it engages with the UN's specialised agencies.
