|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
FAO Aiming to defeat hunger
The FAO serves both developed and developing countries and acts as a nonpartisan forum where all nations meet to negotiate agreements and debate policies. It is an important source of knowledge and information. The organisation helps developing countries and countries in transition, modernise and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, and ensure good nutrition for all. The FAO which was established in 1945, focuses special attention on developing rural areas which are, home to 70 per cent of the world's poor and hungry people. Following are the four main areas of activity... Putting information within reach FAO serves as a knowledge network. The FAO uses the expertise of its staff to collect, analyse and spread around data that aid development. The organisation also publishes newsletters, reports and books, distributes several magazines, creates CD-ROMS and host dozens of electronic fora. Providing a meeting place for nations As a neutral forum, the FAO provides the setting where rich and poor nations can come together to build a common understanding. bringing knowledge to the field. Its breadth of knowledge is put to the test in thousands of field projects throughout the world. FAO mobilises and manages millions of dollars provided by industrialised countries, development banks and other sources, to make sure the projects achieve their goals. Sharing policy expertise The FAO lends its years of experience to member countries in devising agricultural policy, supporting planning, drafting effective legislation and creating national strategies to achieve rural development and hunger alleviation goals. Technical know-how FAO also provides the technical know-how and in a few cases, a limited source of funds. In crisis situations, the organisation works side-by-side with the World Food Programme and other humanitarian agencies, to protect rural livelihoods and help people rebuild their lives. The FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. This organisation provides the kind of behind-the-scene assistance that helps people and nations to help themselves. For example, if a community wants to increase crop yields but lacks the technical skills, the FAO takes measures to introduce simple, sustainable tools and techniques. And when a country shifts from state to private land ownership, they provide the legal advice to smooth the way. When a drought pushes already vulnerable groups to the point of famine, the organisation mobilizes action. And in a complex world of competing needs, they provide a neutral meeting place and the background knowledge needed to reach widespread agreement.
The current Director-General, Dr Jacques Diouf, of Senegal, began a six-year term in January 1994 and was re-elected to a second term of six years, which began in January 2000.The FAO employs more than 3,450 staff members and maintains five regional offices, five sub-regional offices, five liaison offices and over 78 country offices, in addition to its headquarters in Rome. Since 1994, the FAO has undergone the most significant restructuring since its founding, to decentralise operations, streamline procedures and reduce costs. FAO Conference The FAO's membership comprises the Conference. The Conference is the supreme governing body of FAO that meets in regular sessions every two years. Its main functions are to determine the policies of the Organisation, approve the Programme of Work and Budget, and make recommendations to members and international organisations. In addition to being attended by all members and associate members of the Organisation, it is also attended by observers from non-member nations, inter-governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations. FAO Members An inter-governmental organisation, the FAO has 187 member countries plus one member organisation, the European Community. All FAO Members are sub-divided into seven geographic regions for the Council election purposes. Chamitha Kuruppu |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Do you know that there is an international organisation to make sure
that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead
active, healthy lives? The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the
United Nations guides international efforts to defeat hunger. Achieving
food security for all is the main effort of the FAO. 
The FAO is governed by the Conference of Member Nations, which meets
every two years to review the work carried out by the Organisation and
approve a Programme of Work and Budget. The Conference elects a Council of
49 Member Nations to act as an interim governing body. The Conference also
elects a Director-General to head the agency. 
