Posted June 4, 2008. Volume 5, Issue 2. March-April-May 2008
Special Section: Food Crisis
Today, the world is witnessing escalating social tension in many countries across the globe as a result of the sharp rise in the price of basic food. This development has the potential to dramatically increase the numbers of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition and to undermine the recent progress made in reducing poverty and hunger.
The UN is addressing the crisis on several different fronts: The Secretary-General established a High-level Task Force on the Global Food Crisis, with himself as Chair and Sir John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, as Coordinator. The goal of the Task Force is to create a prioritized plan of action and coordinate its implementation. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held a Special Meeting on the Crisis where it identified short and long-term challenges and sought to enhance cooperation amongst international actors.
To stay abreast of the UN’s actions in addressing the Food Crisis visit the UN News Centre <http://www.un.org/news/> or www.un-ngls.org Civil society, too, is playing an important role in both mitigation of the current crisis and in addressing long-term challenges. Please find below several resources relating to the food crisis emanating from civil society:
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will host the High-Level Conference on World Food Security: the
Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy from 3 to 5 June 2008 in Rome.
High Food Prices: The What, Who, and How of Proposed Policy Options International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2008
This paper, authored by Joachim von Braun et al. for IFPRI, offers an action plan to combat the global food crisis. It calls for an “emergency package” to stem the tide of the humanitarian crisis and a “resilience package” to
strengthen the capacity of poor people and developing countries to meet their own needs, and outlines an implementation strategy.
Global Civil Society statement on the World Food Emergency
La Via Campesina
Via Campesina released a civil society statement on the World Food Emergency which mentions the historic and systematic failures of governments and emphasizes the responsibility of international institutions. Several social movements and other civil society organisations joined together in this statement which includes a global plan of action for food and agriculture
that they developed and mentions that they will to discuss this plan with governments and intergovernmental organisations in the upcoming FAO Conference.
http://viacampesina.org/main_en/images/stories/pdf/22-05-2008_csofoodemergency-en.pdf
Time for food sovereignty has come!
IPC, 2008
This paper – which serves as a background document for an upcoming civil society forum in Rome, parallel to the aforementioned FAO Summit – argues that the current food crisis is the result of many years of deregulation of agricultural markets, the privatization of state regulatory bodies and the dumping of agricultural products on the markets of developing countries. The paper advocates ‘rebuilding national food economies’, the regulation of international markets and support for countries to strengthen their food production
http://www.foodsovereignty.org/public/terrapreta/Terra_Preta-foodcrisis-EN.doc
Links on Food Crisis Grain, 2008
This webpage includes a collection of documents and links from civil society and inter-governmental institutions related to events around the recent food crisis.
http://www.grain.org/go/foodcrisis
Turning High Prices Into an Opportunity: What is Needed?
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), April 2008
IATP argues in this report that, given higher prices fro agricultural products, the increase in food prices may bring some benefits to farmers. The report also mentions that in the short-term though, the rapid price increases are causing enormous stress for the urban and rural poor in regions dependent on food imports. Net food-importing, low-income countries
are struggling to pay their food import bills, which diverts money from other needed investments. The report advocates for strong policies in favour of marginalized, resource-poor farmers, so as to make agriculture work as an engine for sustainable development.
http://www.tradeobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=102867
Blog: ‘Think Forward’
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)
This is a blog written by staff of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy which covers information regarding sustainability as it intersects with food, rural development, international trade, the environment and
public health.
http://iatp.typepad.com/thinkforward/food_crisis/index.html
Saving Water: From Field to Fork – Curbing Losses in the Food Chain Stockholm International Water Institute, May 2008
This report stresses the link between food production and water use, and indicates that the magnitude of current food losses represents challenges and opportunities. It outlines a number of steps to reduce by half, by 2025, the amount of food that is wasted after it is grown, such as supporting farmers with improved harvesting and storage facilities, benchmarking
standards for businesses to minimize waste in processing and transport, and educating consumers on the impacts of over-eating and food waste on water resources.
http://www.siwi.org/documents/Resources/Policy_Briefs/Paper_13_Field_to_Fork.pdf
Right to Food Quarterly
FIAN International, 2008
Right to Food Quarterly aims to provide experts, activists and other interested persons with information and analysis on the right to food and important trends concerning ESC-Rights. The fourth edition of the Right to Food Quarterly takes up agrofuels production, human rights and the recent decision by UN Member States to approve the text of an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
www.fian.org
___Trends & Debates___
Values in international development organisations: negotiating non-negotiables
Development in Practice, Volume 18, Number 1, February 2008, Chris Mowles
Chris Mowles discusses how values are an important theme in discussions in international NGOs, helping to create the conditions for solidarity among staff. Nevertheless, they are also frequently a source of demoralisation and
destructive conflict. He explores these ideas and how they impact on the staff environment in international NGOs.
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/ftinterface~content=a789773829~fulltext=713240930
The backlash against civil society in the wake of the Long War on Terror
Development in Practice, Volume 18, Number 1, February 2008, Jude Howell,
Armine Ishkanian, Ebenezer Obadare, Hakan Seckinelgin, Marlies Glasius
This article examines the causes of backlash against civil society since the attacks of 11 September 2001 within the context of the ‘Long War on Terror’. It considers how the growing prominence of concerns about security and the concomitant expansion of counter-terrorist measures across the world threaten the spaces for civil society to flourish and act. Furthermore, it
argues that manifestations of this backlash around the world may appear to be unconnected phenomena, but on closer inspection it is clear that they are intricately intertwined.
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/ftinterface~content=a789773469~fulltext=713240930
Just Another Emperor? The Myths and Realities of Philanthrocapitalism
Michael Edwards, 3 April 2008, Demos: A Network for Ideas & Action and The Young Foundation
In this book, the author analyses the rise of major new philanthropic funds and actors and questions if this practice represents a genuinely new kind of philanthropy. Moreover, he examines the evidence for applying business models in the social sector, and makes a series of recommendations on how they could best contribute to lasting social change.
http://www.justanotheremperor.org
___CSOs and the Multilateral System___
Turning the tables: aid and accountability under the Paris framework European Network on Debt and Development (EURODAD), April 2008 The report is based on analysis of aid effectiveness as the result of research in seven countries, conducted by southern and northern civil society organizations and coordinated by the European Network on Debt and
Development (Eurodad). The report focuses on progress against two principles of the Paris Declaration – ownership and accountability.
http://www.eurodad.org/uploadedFiles/Whats_New/Reports/Turning_the_Tables.pdf
Defending Civil Society: A Report of the World Movement for Democracy
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and World Movement for
Democracy Secretariat at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED),
February 2008
The report released by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and the World Movement for Democracy (NED) is the first phase in the ‘Defending Civil Society’ international campaign to promote the adoption of internationally-recognized principles that protect the fundamental rights of civil society organisations. The report attempts to identify and promulgate a set of international principles, already rooted in international law, that
inform government-civil society relations.
http://www.icnl.org/knowledge/pubs/ICNL-WMD_Defending_CS.pdf
WIDE at the 52nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
WIDE News, Number 3, March 2008
This newsletter provides several articles on the 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). In addition, the newsletter includes an article on the UN Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) Campaign which was officially launched in the first week of the CSW.
http://62.149.193.10/wide/download/2008_News_3.pdf?id=592
UN: Tackle Wrongdoing by Peacekeepers
Human Rights Watch, 2 May 2008
Human Rights Watch recently provided to UN Secretary-General detailed information from several UN documents, never before made public, that serious allegations of wrongdoing by UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo were ignored, minimized or shelved by the UN’s Organization of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/02/congo18713.htm
NGO Letter on High Representative for Human Rights Appointment
This letter was sent to the UN Secretary-General by a group of NGOs who wish to be consulted in the selection process of the UN’s principal human rights officer. They affirm in the letter that a transparent and inclusive selection process lays the foundation for a productive working relationship with the ‘human rights support community’ during the appointee’s tenure.
http://www.unelections.org/?q=node/687
Managing Change at the United Nations
Center for UN Reform Education, April 2008
This publication covers some of the reform proposals included in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. These include: reform of the Security Council, revitalization of the General Assembly, achieving System-wide Coherence, Secretariat and Management reform, and the establishment of the Human Rights Council.
http://www.centerforunreform.org/node/308
Stakeholder Consultation with Civil Society/Non Governmental Organizations
FAO Headquarters, Rome, 15-16 February 2008
This document is a review of the Stakeholder consultations that were held as part of the process of preparation for the High Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy, Rome on 3-5 June 2008. The stakeholder consultations solicited broad views and experiences from civil society organizations and from the private sector on the impact of climate change and the growth of bioenergy on food security.
http://www.foodsovereignty.org/public/terrapreta/CSNGO-report.pdf
Second Global Meeting of the Farmer’s Forum
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), 11-12 February 2008
The second global meeting of the Farmers’ Forum took place on 11 and 12 February 2008 in conjunction with the Thirty-first session of IFAD’s Governing Council. The Forum brought together about 80 farmers’ leaders from around the world. It reviewed progress achieved in enhancing collaboration between IFAD and farmers’ and rural producers’ organizations, discussed IFAD strategic and policy documents and shared positions on access to natural resources, climate change and policy making and influence.
http://www.ifad.org/farmer/2008/index.htm
Human Rights Monitor 2007
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), 11 February 2008
The International Service on Human Rights recently released their Human Rights Monitor ’07, which reports and follows key developments and discussions that occurred within the UN’s main human rights machinery in 2007. In particular the report overviews the institution-building work of the new Human Rights Council, especially the new Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. Furthermore, the Human Rights Monitor ’07, focuses on major human rights developments of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the international human rights law and the Treaty-Monitoring Bodies.
http://www.ishr.ch/hrm/hrm2007/human_rights_monitor_2007.pdf
___Research & Analysis___
State of the World’s Minorities 2008
Minority Rights Group International (MRG), 11 March 2008
The Minority Rights Group released its third annual edition of State of the World’s Minorities. The report reviews various issues affecting the human rights and security of ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities and
indigenous peoples.
http://www.minorityrights.org/?lid=6138
Direct Link: State <http://www.minorityrights.org/download.php?id=459> of the World’s Minorities 2008 (full pdf)
HIV/AIDS – Women Tell Their Stories
Centre for Development & Population Activities (CEDPA), 17 March 2008
This report provides interviews of six women who, through education and empowerment, have become a powerful force in the fight against AIDS. These women participated in the Advancing Women’s Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS
Action workshop, an initiative that equips and empowers women worldwide with the knowledge and skills to advance the global response to AIDS.
http://www.cedpa.org/content/publication/detail/1800
Indigenous Routes: A Framework for Understanding Indigenous Migration International Organization for Migration (IOM) May 2008
Arguing against conventional wisdom, this paper seeks to establish that indigenous peoples are a dynamic element of modern and centuries-old movements of peoples, raising questions for policymakers, indigenous activists and researchers alike. Moreover, it reviews the major causes and circumstances of indigenous peoples’ migration and identifies some patterns
reflected in the research.
http://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/shared/mainsite/published_docs/books/Indiginous_route_final.pdf
Child Soldiers Global Report 2008
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, May 2008
The Child Soldiers Global Report 2008 details how strenuous international efforts have failed to protect tens of thousands of children from war. When armed conflict exists, children will almost inevitably become involved as soldiers. According to the 2008 report there are an estimated 250,000 child soldiers worldwide, although the exact number is hard to verify.
http://www.childsoldiersglobalreport.org/
The State of the World’s Girls 2008 – In the Shadow of War Plan, 15 May 2008
This report is the second of a series of nine annual reports. The 2008 report focuses on girls living in the shadow of war. It considers that girls are affected differently from every other section of society in countries
teetering on the edge of conflict, during war and in its aftermath.
http://www.un-ngls.org/site/article.php3?id_article=498
http://www.plan-international.org/news/girls_war_report/
Governing Collaboration: Making Partnerships Accountable for Delivering Development
AccountAbility, 16 April 2008.
The report assesses the difficulties and failures in governance systems within partnerships, and mentions that if partnerships fail it is because of failures in governance, and as a consequence approaches to multilateralism may go down with it. Also, the report suggests that development partnerships will fail unless governance improves.
http://www.accountability21.net/default.aspx?id=2304