Building Capacity for Food Security in Brazil: The Role of Universities Cecilia Rocha, PhD Centre for Studies in Food Security Ryerson University

Why Brazil?  Brazil is one of the few developing countries which seem to be on track in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, particularly in reducing extreme poverty and malnutrition.  The country seems to be achieving much of its success through innovative channels for popular participation and local democracy, including the creation of local Councils for Food and Nutrition Security.

The Project Building Capacity in Food Security in Brazil and Angola  Supported by the University Partnership for Cooperation and Development (UPCD) program of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)  Training and education in food security  Focus on three cities in Northeast Brazil (Araçuaí, Juazeiro, Fortaleza) and in Huambo, Angola  Main activities:  Four online university courses  Local workshops for NGO and government personnel, and for community agents  Conferences and seminars  Pilot projects

Food Security  A condition in which all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (FAO)

Food Security  Availability – food in sufficient amounts to meet people’s needs;  Accessibility – assured physical and economic access to food;  Adequacy – food that is nutritious and safe, needed to maintain health, and produced in environmentally sustainable ways;  Acceptability – food that is culturally acceptable; food that is produced and obtained in ways that do not compromise people’s dignity, self-respect and human rights

Challenges to universities  Given the necessity of a systemic approach to food security, addressing food insecurity requires inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary efforts which challenges traditional ways in which universities are organized and operate.  Meeting the human capacity needs of food and nutrition security councils demands a more immediate, local and participatory focus, not always nurtured in institutions of higher learning.

Preliminary observations  The main factor in the active participation of universities in the project has been the presence of an internal champion, an individual who has “bought” the project, and has incorporated the cause of food and nutrition security into his/her professional portfolio.  The flexibility and openness of universities to welcome and incorporate input from NGOs and communities have been essential in developing activities responsive to local needs.

Sustainability  Depends on the organizational changes universities undergo to respond to local needs.  Depends on how universities use the experience of participation in the project for curriculum changes and the promotion of inter-disciplinary research.

Conclusion  The success and sustainability of the project depends on how well universities can partner with non-governmental organizations and local communities to develop educational and research activities that are truly responsive to local needs.

Questions? Cecilia Rocha Centre for Studies in Food Security Ryerson University Toronto, Canada Thank you!