Assembly
of the Poor
School Profile
Thailand
About the School
The Assembly of the Poor (AOP) is a grassroots movement in Thailand that brings together communities fighting to protect their land, livelihoods, and way of life. Its members include farmers, fishers, Indigenous communities, and urban residents—many of whom face displacement due to large-scale development projects. Through collective organizing and education, AOP supports communities in standing up for their rights while building more sustainable ways to grow food and care for their land.
AOP’s Agroecology School is rooted in community learning. Rather than a traditional classroom, it brings together local leaders to share knowledge, experiment with sustainable farming practices, and learn directly from one another. One of AOP’s key initiatives is a Seed Guardianship Training, which focuses on protecting native seeds, an essential part of food sovereignty and cultural heritage.
Through this work, farmers:
- Learn how to save and preserve local seeds.
- Build resilience against climate challenges.
- Strengthen community networks for sharing knowledge and resources.
This effort not only protects biodiversity but also ensures that communities can continue growing food that is adapted to their environment.
To learn more about AOP, click here.
Hear from Our Partner
“Agroecology is about how we grow our food in harmony with nature… but we are also fighting for the right to land and the right to natural resources. Political action is at the heart of our work.”
-Anne Lannape (AOP, Thailand)
The Agroecology School Cohort
Each school adapts agroecology to its local context—responding to climate, culture and community needs. Whyhunger’s project spans schools across 10 countries.
Dominican Republic
Kuna Yala (Panama)
