IAAH partners

October 2005: Latinamerican First Ladies support education programme against hunger

Support to FAO's Programme "Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger" was given by the First Ladies of Latin America during the 13th Conference of First Ladies, Wives and representatives of Head of State of the Americas held in Paraguay on 30 September.

Feeding Minds Fighting Hunger is a global education initiative for schools and youth groups designed to enable and encourage teachers, students and young people to become actively involved in helping create a world free from hunger and malnutrition.

The Memorandum of Understanding to support the programme was signed by representatives from Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panamá and Paraguay.

Read the press release in Spanish published by FAO on this event.

October 2005: The hunger crisis in Niger

Following the food supply difficulties in Niger earlier this year and FAO’s recent announcement of Malawi facing its worst food crisis in more than a decade, many organizations involved in development and humanitarian affairs have been examining the effectiveness of their response and critically looking at their own responsibilities in this situation.

In analysing what went wrong in Niger the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute which gathers independent researchers and information professionals working on humanitarian policy issues has recently issued an in depth analysis on the scale and severity of the hunger crisis in Niger. The August 2005 briefing note looks into the relationship between assessment of the information and the type of response to the situation. Issues such as the quality of the information and the way it is interpreted linking directly to early warning systems and their role in the crisis are tackled in the report. Policies applied to face the crisis were also analysed, leading to discussions on the fundamental tensions between relief and development and the fear of creating dependency and thus harming development. Many lessons are being learned from this experience and hunger is seen as what it is: a matter for urgent action.

International Alliance partners such as FAO and WFP had reacted to the crisis. In assessing the situation in late 2004, FAO had warned through its Global Information and Early Warning System that economic hardship and decline would have lowered people's capacity to deal with shocks such as the combination of drought and the Desert Locust which occurred in 2004. In May 2005 FAO had launched an appeal for Niger asking for around $4 million for emergency agricultural interventions. WFP undertook free food distribution to some 4, 600 people as it moves into the most critical phase of its emergency operation: to feed 2.5 million people who are caught in the grip of severe food shortages.

In December 2005, the annual meeting of the Network for Prevention of Food Crises in the Sahel, organized by CILSS and hosted by the French Government in Paris, will review the current food supply situation in the Sahel and make an analysis of the evolution of the food crisis in Niger in 2005.

For more details (in French) on the Network for Prevention of Food Crises in the Sahel visit www.cilssnet.org/reseau /index.htm

For more information on the food crisis please download the HPG Briefing Note.

Read a comprehensive presentation on the food crisis in Niger designed by FAO.

For all the latest updates on WFP’s emergency operation in Niger, visit http://www.wfp.org/newsroom

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October 2005: La Via Campesina protests against shooting of farmers in Indonesia

The International Farmers Movement “La Via Campesina” strongly protested against the shooting by local police of 37 peasants on 18 september in Lombok, Indonesia duirng a gathering to launch celebrations of “Indonesia's National Peasant Day.”

Local Farmers were also expected to meet with a Delegation from La Via Campesina to discuss their ongoing struggles since 1995 against the construction of a new international airport and to prevent confiscation of their farm lands.

For more information, please read the press release issued by La Via Campesina.

September 2005: UN agencies work together in aftermath of hurricane Katrina

UN agencies are coordinating activities to provide the technical expertise of emergency staff and a wide variety of relief supplies to the population stricken by Hurricane Katrina.

A task force with staff from various UN agencies is currently performing a needs assessment and coordinating foreign aid. The Task force is chaired by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and comprised of World Food Programme (a partner of the International Alliance Against Hunger) as well as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

US relief agencies such as the American Red Cross and many faith-based religious organizations are actively involved in providing relief to those left without homes and in need of medical assistance. Members from the US National Alliance such as America’s Second Harvest, through its extensive food bank network, has been sending food aid and emergency supplies to those affected by the hurricane. The National Council of Churches has already announced the plans of member churches to aid those internally displaced and stressed the need of a two-fold response to Katrina: provide aid to victims and fight against the poverty that made them vulnerable.

Hurricane Katrina, considered as one of the most destructive and costliest hurricaines ever to hit the United States made its landfall in the southern coastal region of the United States on August 29, flooding the city and creating major damages in the coastal states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. While gathering of the unrecovered bodies is still in place, the death toll has almost reached 1000 and the estimated total damage is at $125 billion. The biggest challenges faced by both local and federal government is the reconstruction of the cities hit by the hurricane and situation of those internally displaced evacuated from the flooded areas.

For more information on how to help victims of hurricane Katrina visit America’s Second Harvest Network website.

April 2005: WFP launches first humanitarian video game

An educational initiative that teaches children about global hunger while playing a video game was recently launched by World Food Programme in cooperation with FAO's Feeding Mind and Fighting Hunger initiative in April 2005. Food-Force presents the logistical challenges of delivering food aid in a major humanitarian crisis through six missions. Each mission reflects real-life obstacles faced by WFP in its emergency responses. The PC based video game is available as a free internet download from www.food-force.com.

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April 2005: Biodiversity at the centre of an International Consultation

The International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI) in collaboration with the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species (GFU) organised an International Consultation on “How agricultural biodiversity can help the world to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of Freedom from Poverty and hunger” in Chennai, India from 18 to 19 April 2005.

The Consultation gathered world policy makers, government representatives, donors, international organizations and civil society organizations engaged in fighting hunger through agricultural biodiversity.

Experiences from all around the world regarding links between biodiversity, policies and livelihoods were discussed during the first day of the event. On the second day, participants had the chance to tackle four main topics through working groups: food and nutritional security, biodiversity and socio-economics, policies, community perspective. The recommendations stemming from the working groups were adopted upon closure of the consultation.

To download the agenda, please click here . The recommendations of the consultation will be available on the IPGRI Website .

To download a fact sheet on “Hidden Hunger” published by IPGRI, MSSRF and GFU please click here.

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September 2004: Linking initiatives against hunger through the “The Growing Connection”

In-line with the main objective of national alliances of eradicating hunger through practical action, the “The Growing Connection” project carried-out jointly between FAO and the American Horticultural Society (AHS) represents a unique opportunity for National Alliances to initiate small-scale projects to develop school gardens.

The Growing Connection links people and cultures in a unique campaign that introduces low-cost, water efficient and sustainable food-growing techniques along with wireless IT connectivity, joining school children together in common hunger-fighting, educational and entrepreneurial activities. Participating schools develop and share lessons in science, food production, and cultural interaction using information technologies.

The project currently operates in schools and community sites in Ghana, Mexico and the USA. Expansion of the project is being considered in Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Grenada, India, Haiti, Nicaragua and Senegal. Members of the National Alliance in Gambia are being engaged to initiate a project site in this country as well. The project is also supported by a progressive coalition of private and public sector partners as well Rotary International, one of the International Alliance’s members.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit their website at www.thegrowingconnection.org

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September 2005: Report from the UN System Chief Executives Board underlines the work of the International Alliance and the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security

The report called One United Nations – Catalyst for Progress and Change published by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board makes reference to the work of the International Alliance Against Hunger and the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security as an efficient way in which FAO, IFAD and WFP along with other partners are working together to address the immediate and long-term challenges of achieving Millennium Development Goal #1 of fighting hunger and achieving food security.

Based on the fact that the Millennium Declaration has changed the way the UN system works, the report elaborates its work to help governments meet all of the Declaration’s objectives and considers how to address challenges to further progress on that front. It also shows how the Declaration has brought the UN system together with a new unity of purpose and in a new spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

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August 2005: Strong world advocacy against poverty during G8 Summit in Scotland

The meeting of the eight major industrialized states (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom and United States) held in Scotland was the center of ambitious advocacy efforts against poverty involving international civil society organizations as well as several National Alliances who were also present in Scotland.

This year’s summit was the first at which civil society, in the form of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), played a central role in exerting real pressure and influencing the agenda and outcome of the meeting. This participation creates a precedent for future summits to involve these and other sectors of society. The leaders of seven African nations were also invited to attend the summit, as well as the leaders of the five leading "emerging market" countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa.

Major campaigns such as “Make Poverty History”, “One”, “Global Call to Action Against Poverty” and “Live 8” where several of the umbrella advocacy initiatives in which hundreds of NGOs and civil society organizations gathered to create public awareness on the justice and need of eradicating poverty and hunger. One of the International Alliance partners’ Action Aid, arrived at Scotland on a bus that had toured several African countries gathering messages and petitions for G8 leaders.

The initiative known as “Get on Board” had also met with Rome-based Food agencies FAO, IFAD, WFP and the International Alliance Secretariat.

Topics such as aid for developing countries, cutting subsidies and tariffs as well as measures to control climate change were at the center of discussions during this year’s summit. One of the most outstanding results considered by some as a milestone for these types of summits was the agreement to full debt cancellation for 27 of the world’s poorest countries.

Despite the fact that the final declaration was strong on principles, many civil society representatives felt that it fell far short of making specific commitments. However, The G8 agreed to a $50 billion boost to aid as EU members pledged to reach a collective aid target of 0.56% of GDP by 2010, and 0.7% by 2015. Signals were also given regarding a new deal on trade to be further discussed later this year during the WTO meeting to be held in Hong Kong and increased access to Aids treatment.

Click here to download:
The final G8 Declaration
The Declaration of the Make Poverty History Campaign

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International Youth Day: August 12

In 1999, the UN General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth that 12 August be declared as the International Youth Day. This day is a great opportunity to rally support and get key actors - governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses, and young people - involved to focus on what has been done to implement the World Programme of Action for Youth adopted by the General Assembly in 1995.

2005 is an important year for youth at the United Nations as it marks the 60 th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will hold special meetings on youth issues. During the Assembly, governments will review the achievements in the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth. The Assembly will also conduct a 5-year review of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which targets are set for 2015.

Fora, public discussions and information campaigns involving media will be organised on youth issues and to support young people’s contribution to the societies in which they are living. The major focus of the Day is to encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in the decision processes that affect their lives.

For more information or report on how you will be commemorating the International Youth Day in your country, you can write to: youth@un.org.

To read more about the activities to be organized for the International Youth Day, please visit: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm.

June 2005: Rotary marks its 100th anniversary in 2005 with an International Convention to take place from 18 -22 June 2005

Rotary International, one of the many International Alliance partners, is getting ready to celebrate its 100 th anniversary with a series of activities all around the world. The main event will be a five-day International Convention which will take place in Chicago, USA with activities that range from marathons to parades as well as opportunities to showcase projects of Rotarians from all over the world.

For more information on the activities scheduled for this celebration please visit the Rotary Centennial Website.

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April 2005: New partners join the efforts of the International Alliance in fight against hunger

As the International Alliance continues to grow and support emerging National Alliances around the world, new partners are also coming on board. The World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth (MIJARC) and the Union of Small and Medium Farmers of Nigeria, have recently expressed their will to actively become involved with the International Alliance Against Hunger.

Thanks to its far-reaching network of young people, WOSM has agreed to support the activities of a youth section within the International Alliance. MIJARC also agreed to contribute through its regional chapter in Latin America, to the strengthening of the emerging Regional Alliance in Latin America. In Africa, the Union of Small and Medium Farmers of Nigeria is committed to facilitating the possible creation of a Regional Alliance of English-speaking countries in West Africa.

January 2005: Youth representatives meet with the co-chair of the Hunger Task Force

Representatives of the International Youth Forum for the World Food Summit (IYFWFS) met on 18 January with Mr Pedro Sanchez co-chair of the Hunger Task Force in the occasion of the presentation of the Hunger Task Force report in Rome.

The role of youth in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was discussed and the IYFWFS stated that the report does not highlight the role of youth as crucial actors. All participants convened that young people are fundamental players in world development both as future decision makers and as a source of new ideas and energy.

Therefore, they were given the possibility to contribute to the report writing a section focussed on the role of youth in the global MDGs campaign.

October 2005: Scheduled events for World Food Day celebrations at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy

The International Alliance invites all its partners to participate in the various activities being organized at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy around this year’s World Food Day theme “Agriculture and Intercultural Dialogue.”

Friday, 14 Oct - US Embassy Event on WFD – Film Silent Killer

Sunday, 16 Oct - Director-General's special meeting with religious and NGO leaders (8.00)

Sunday, 16 Oct - WFD Ceremony at the Green Room (10.30 am)

Sunday, 16 Oct - FAO Staff Coop Event at the Stadio delle Terme di Caracalla (12 noon)

Sunday, 16 Oct - CSO/NGO Forum

For more information on this year’s theme please visit the World Food Day website at http://www.fao.org/wfd/2005/index.asp

October 2005: Results from the 2005 World Summit on UN reforms and MDG

Hailed as a unique opportunity to take bold decisions in the areas of development, security, human rights and reform of the United Nations, the World Summit of the United Nations took place from 14 to 16 September with controversial results.

World leaders from 191 countries gathered in New York to celebrate the 60 th Anniversary of the United Nations and to review the progress made in the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000.

Although the final document approved at the end of the discussions was described by many diplomats of developing countries and civil society representatives as “disappointing” and “watered - down,” a global consensus was reached on the need to fulfil the Millennium Development Goals. The final document contains strong commitments on the steps needed to reach these goals by 2015 showing however a lack of concrete measures on how to do so. Much space was given to the proposed reforms to the UN detailed in the Secretary General's report entitled "In Larger Freedom" (www.un.org/largerfreedom) which were partly embraced by all Heads of State.

Parallel to the World Summit 2005, the International Alliance helped organize an informal meeting between the leaders of some of the world's top charitable organizations and the Director-General of FAO, Dr. Jacques Diouf. Enthusiasm and motivation to work together was expressed by all participants in the meeting. FAO Director General stressed the need to devote more resources be into the International Alliance Against Hunger, which brings together FAO, other UN agencies concerned with hunger and poverty reduction, and a number of international NGOs.

For more information, read the press release published by FAO.

Read the Millennium Campaign statement on World Summit 2005.

August 2005: Right to Food essential in achieving the Millennium Development Goals

The implementation of Voluntary Guidelines to "support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security" should increase the hope of reducing by half the number of hungry in the world by 2015 since they focus on the actual steps countries should take to ensure that their policies and legislation respect, protect and fulfil the right to food of everyone.

The Voluntary Guidelines take into account a wide range of important human rights principles, including equality and non-discrimination, participation and inclusion, accountability and the rule of law, as well as the principle that all human rights are universal, indivisible, inter-related and interdependent.

Among the various stakeholders involved in the drafting of the guidelines were: the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as the North-South Alliance, which is a coalition of a large number of NGOs.

According to FAO, various non-governmental groups and intergovernmental organizations contributed significantly in the preparation of the Guidelines. These included the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the North-South Alliance, which is a coalition of a large number of NGOs.

The creation of these guidelines was recommended by Heads of State and Government during the June 2002 World Food Summit: five years later, in which they reaffirmed "the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food." Following this recommendation, the Intergovernmental Working Group for the Elaboration of a Set of Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security (IGWG) was established and held four sessions as well as an open-ended working group session before submitting the final draft to the Committee on World Food Security which adopted them and subsequently submitted them to the FAO Council, gaining final approval.

For more information and to download the Guidelines please visit the FAO website http://www.fao.org/righttofood/en/index.html

Also read the articles published in the website of the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security.

June 2005: “Get on Board: Make hunger and poverty history!”

With this rallying cry, officials of ActionAid International met with senior staff of the Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for a brainstorming this morning on issues of common concern with which to lobby leaders attending next month’s G-8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland.

The ActionAid International activists arrived at FAO headquarters in a highly decorated people’s minibus, Matatu, that has made an epic journey from Johannesburg starting on 31 March 2005 . They have come to Rome to meet representatives of the Rome-based UN food agencies, representatives of the Italian government and the mayor of the city of Rome , on their way to the G-8 Summit.

On arrival at FAO, the ActionAid visitors mingled with FAO staff and Representatives of the Group of 77 developing countries and were welcomed by members of the Secretariat of the International Alliance Against Hunger, including FAO Assistant Director-General for World Food Summit Follow-up, Eva Clayton. They then began their discussions on areas of mutual concern, most notably the eradication of hunger and poverty, African development and the fight against HIV/AIDs.

During the meeting, participants shared information on policies and concrete initiatives by ActionAid International and FAO in the areas of food and agricultural development, including those relating to trade, food safety and nutrition, biodiversity, rural livelihoods and policies aimed at ensuring the future food security of the world’s more than 850 million hungry and under-nourished.

April 2005: WFP launches first humanitarian video game

An educational initiative that teaches children about global hunger while playing a video game was recently launched by World Food Programme in cooperation with FAO’s Feeding Mind and Fighting Hunger initiative in April 2005. Food-Force presents the logistical challenges of delivering food aid in a major humanitarian crisis through six missions. Each mission reflects real-life obstacles faced by WFP in its emergency responses. The PC based video game is available as a free internet download from www.food-force.com.

April 2005: Biodiversity at the centre of an International Consultation

The International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI) in collaboration with the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species (GFU) organised an International Consultation on “How agricultural biodiversity can help the world to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of Freedom from Poverty and hunger” in Chennai, India from 18 to 19 April 2005.

The Consultation gathered world policy makers, government representatives, donors, international organizations and civil society organizations engaged in fighting hunger through agricultural biodiversity.

Experiences from all around the world regarding links between biodiversity, policies and livelihoods were discussed during the first day of the event. On the second day, participants had the chance to tackle four main topics through working groups: food and nutritional security, biodiversity and socio-economics, policies, community perspective. The recommendations stemming from the working groups were adopted upon closure of the consultation.

To download the agenda, please click here. The recommendations of the consultation will be available on the IPGRI Website.

To download a fact sheet on “Hidden Hunger” published by IPGRI, MSSRF and GFU please click here.

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