We the Peoples of the United Nations...
FAO’s Mandate 1.raise level of nutrition and standards of living of the peoples 2.secure improvements in the efficiency of production and distribution of food and all agricultural products 3.better the condition of rural populations 4.and thus contribute towards an expanding world economy and ensure humanity’s freedom from hunger
FAO Today 3450 staff (1450 professionals, 2000 support) 5 regional offices, 5 subregional offices, 5 liaison offices and over 78 country offices FAO Headquarters: 8 Departments, 6 “Technical” Annual budget approximately $375 million Founded in 1945, with 44 member countries Today, there are 190 member countries
Reforming FAO THE CHALLENGE OF WORLD FOOD SECURITY 1997
© FAO 2000
Reform Proposals the calendar Preparation during summer 2005 Submission at FAO Conference in November 2005 Revised Proposal in January 2006 Partial implementation in 2006 (next biennial budgetary period ) Further review FAO Council late 2006
Business as Usual? why further reform Overall UN Reform Millennium Development Goals Evaluation of FAO decentralization General Evaluation of FAO in 2006 But also: Agriculture: trends in debt, aid & investment Globalization: commerce, trade & industry New politics, institutions & economies Technological changes, including communications & agricultural biotechnology New challenges, in nutrition, disease, emergencies
Basics of the Reform World Food Summit & follow up The Focus – “Food Security” –“Operational Activities”: Special Programme for Food Security, South-South Cooperation… –“Normative Activities”: Codex alimentarius, Commission on Genetic Resources.... Decentralization New partnerships with key stakeholders: UN system, civil society, development banks, agricultural research “Innovative approaches”- including cooperation with civil society
What should change? Interdisciplinarity: among or within departments? Eliminating distinctions between normative and operational activities “Flattening hierarchies” Exchange & enhancing knowledge, not “communication” or “information” Greater decentralisation
“Interdisciplinary thrusts” Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems brings together Agriculture, Biosecurity, Nutrition, and Consumer Protection, Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Natural Resources, Technology and Sustainable Development Knowledge Exchange, Policy and Advocacy brings together Economic and Social Development, Alliances and Rural Livelihoods and Knowledge Exchange, Communication and Capacity-Building Decentralization, UN Cooperation and Programme Delivery brings together Coordination and Decentralization, Outreach Programmes and the Technical Cooperation Programme
Opportunities: Next 60 Years Harnessing knowledge for agriculture Sharing the benefits of urbanization and globalization Emergence of new institutions: growing capacities in developing countries Renewed commitment to rural investment Reducing the impact of disaster and improving emergency preparedness
Current Status of the Reform Partial implementation of the total proposal for reorganization of technical units Decentralisation: One Region and One Additional Subregion For Civil Society: Office of WFS and Alliances, capacity building for farmers Context: decreasing budget, less staff, balance core & voluntary resources, ongoing evaluation
Civil Society and Reform Influencing FAO’s Members: Working with Your Governments Public Awareness & Mobilization Promoting perspectives & Strategic Choices: Agrarian Reform, Genetic Resources, Food Sovereignty Working with FAO: Deepening Alliances & Partnerships – rules, precedents, practice
We the Peoples of the United Nations...