The Administrative Committee on Coordination was established in 1946 by the Economic and Social Council as a standing committee to supervise implementation of agreements between the United Nations and the specialized agencies, to ensure the coordination of approved programmes and, more generally, to promote cooperation within the UN system in the pursuit of the common goals of Member States. Participation in the ACC includes the heads of the specialized agencies (ILO, FAO, UNESCO, WHO, World Bank, IMF, ICAO, UPU, ITU, WMO, IMO, WIPO, IFAD, UNIDO, WTO); the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); and nine UN programmes (UNCTAD, UNEP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, UNDCP, UNHCR and UNRWA).
At its April 1997 session, the Administrative Committee on Coordination decided to establish a global, consultative Network on Rural Development and Food Security. The Network replaces the former ACC Sub-Committee on Rural Development.
The ACC Network is a new partnership approach towards tackling development challenges at the country level, bringing together all stakeholders and partners for the shared goal of achieving food for all. The ACC Network is country-focused, demand-driven, action oriented, participatory, interactive and multidisciplinary.
Since its establishment at the end of 1997, 83 Thematic Groups working on rural development and food security issues have been established within the UN Resident Coordinator System. Of these groups, 70 are firmly established and have made progress in the definition of their terms of reference and working agendas.
Although only its early stage of development, the ACC Network has already demonstrated its potential to mobilize knowledge and resources in support of country-level action, reinforce ties between UN organizations and other partners and help reduce duplication in development efforts. The Network is increasingly recognized as a tool to identify resources for country activities and projects. UN financing agencies, such as UNDP, the World Bank, IFAD, UNIFEM, UNICEF and bilateral donors are already funding rural development and food security activities within the framework of Thematic Groups.
Furthermore, there is increasing support and cooperation from national Governments, NGOs, private sector and civil society organizations.
No. Information received from the ACC at the beginning of 2000 indicated that there were reportedly some 300 UN Theme Groups established around the world. Of these UN groups, 115 were devoted to HIV/AIDS.
Although Thematic Groups working on country priorities have been promoted since the beginning of this decade, Thematic Groups working specifically on rural development and food security issues have been promoted only since 1997 as a follow-up to the World Food Summit.
A Thematic Group is group of interested development partners working at the country level on priority areas to meet the specific needs, conditions and circumstances of that particular country
The Thematic Group is to provide an effective framework to discuss, plan and implement collaborative activities in rural development and food security and enhance the efforts of national governments to implement the commitments in the World Food Summit Plan of Action. As the Thematic Group is strengthened, it should become a major channel for inter-agency decision-making processes in rural development and food security.
Although the specific objectives of national Thematic Groups vary depending on country-specific priorities and work programmes, the Thematic Group should seek to achieve two broad objectives: to promote new projects, activities and investments in rural development and food security and enhance coordination at the national levels; and to share relevant information, knowledge and expertise.
There is no single way to establish a Thematic Group. Thematic Groups emerge and evolve to respond to national circumstances and a variety of ways are used for their establishment.
When the ACC Network was newly established, new Thematic Groups were set up in Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Guinea, Pakistan and Chile. But in some countries, Thematic Groups have replaced the national committees and groups that emerged in 1996-97 before and after the World Food Summit. In Peru and China, for example, the terms of reference of these existing food security groups have been widened to reflect expanded focus. In some cases, Thematic Groups are established within the Network in countries with several already existing groups involved in issues related to rural development and food security. In some countries, like Bangladesh, existing groups have been expanded. In others, like Madagascar, they are forming local networks to bring together all the relevant groups.
Thematic Groups typically include the participation of representatives of UN agencies, national governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society and the private sector.
Most Thematic Groups are facilitated by the FAO or UNDP Representative in the country.
The Terms of Reference for Thematic Groups vary to respond to the specific development challenges, opportunities and constraints of a particular country.
Thematic Groups chose a wide range of themes related to rural development and food security, including nutrition, poverty alleviation, gender and development, the impact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture, emergency preparedness and response, agricultural rehabilitation, strengthening productive capacities, technology transfer, natural resources and the environment.
In some cases, Thematic Groups establish smaller ad hoc groups or task forces to focus on a specific theme or area of interest.
Thematic Groups exchange, share and disseminate information and best practices; coordinate UN activities; promote policies; develop strategies; help in the design and implementation of common projects; support the government in national policy formulation and implementation; and encourage and mobilize investments in the rural development sector.
Activities range from the development of national food security strategies, country nutrition profiles, participatory needs' assessment, and information systems to the design and implementation of rural development programmes.
Thematic Groups are increasingly creating strong linkages with FAO and UN initiatives: seven are supporting activities related to the Special Programme on Food Security (SPFS)1, five are involved in Telefood2 and fourteen are supporting the development of national FIVIMS3. Importantly, the ACC Network Thematic Groups in Africa are encouraging and fostering links with the United Nations System-wide Initiative on Africa (UNSIA).
20 UN member agencies support the Network at the international level and participate in Thematic Groups at the country level.
Civil society organizations' (CSOs) encompass a broad range of independent and heterogeneous groups and organizations. They can be local, national, regional or international. CSOs include: farmers' organizations, rural workers' organizations, community-based organizations, NGOs, relief and humanitarian organizations, research institutes, trade unions and cooperatives, professional associations, consumers' organizations, universities, private sector associations and NGO networks.
Many civil society organizations possess a unique knowledge of what does and does not work in the rural development sector. As a member of a national Thematic Group, the CSO representative can share knowledge and expertise; engage in advocacy and raise public awareness; mobilize resources; build the capacity of civil society organizations at the local level; dissseminate lessons learnt and best practices; and participate in national Food for All Campaigns.
The implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action requires strong regional and international cooperation. The priority given to supporting and stimulating country-level activities is one of the fundamental principles behind arrangements for cooperation among United Nations organizations in the follow-up to the Summit.
The framework of the ACC Network offers opportunities for tapping the combined resources of all stakeholders. Thematic Groups typically bring together UN organizations represented in the country, donors, government institutions, and representatives of civil society and the private sector.
While many entities support the WFS Plan of Action, the ACC Network is a new initiative to focus action at the country level: to build, broaden and strengthen partnerships amongst all stakeholders committed to Summit goals.
The Committee for World Food Security (CFS) is responsible for monitoring implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action. As the ACC Network is a mechanism for World Food Summit follow-up, it plays a key role in providing input to the CFS monitoring process by its collaboration with UN partners, governments and civil society at the country level.
The UN reform calls for strengthened coordination and inter-agency collaboration in country-level efforts. The ACC Network is proving an effective mechanism to facilitate enhanced cooperation, synergy and complementarity in UN country team work in the rural development and food security issues.
The ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security can play a key role in the preparation for and launch of UNDAF in a country. The guiding principles and objectives of the ACC Network are compatible with and support UNDAF: both stress the importance of strenghening inter-agency cooperation, increasing information and knowledge sharing, promoting common programming and joint activities in the pursuit of common goals and involving all the main development partners concerned.
Thematic Groups can be actively involved in the various stages of the UNDAF process where it exists. Thematic Groups can consult with the government on national priorities; review the country's response to global conferences; identify and collect key indicators and data; prepare the Common Country Assessment Document; consult with civil society and donors; collaborate with UNDAF working groups; and prepare, implement and monitor agency programmes.
The ACC Network Thematic Groups can contribute to various phases of the CCA process: for example, by collecting and compiling data and information; assessing the development situation and specific themes; analysing key issues for prioirty attention; drafting the CCA document and undertaking follow-up activities.
The Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) helps farmers in low-income food-deficit countries (LIFDCs) increase food production and improve access to food in order to meet growing market demand and eradicate food insecurity. The SPFS uses a participatory approach that is environmentally responsible and socially equitable. The ultimate goal is to improve the living conditions of the poorest in rural areas, focusing particularly on women.
Support to SPFS activities can range from assistance in the selection of a pilot zone, to conducting field visits, monitoring progress and writing reports on the status of SPFS activities in the country.
Thematic Groups interact with other stakeholders in the country, such as universities, research institutions, producer associations and grassroots' groups, including those involving women.
It is hoped in the future that networking will also take place at the regional level between Thematic Groups within and across regions, promoting partnerships between developing countries. These linkages may lead to the creation of sub-regional, regional and cross-regional clusters of Thematic Groups based upon common interests.
Thematic Groups can exchange information, experiences and best practices with Thematic Groups in other countries and regions facing similar development challenges and needs. For example, the ways in which one country deals with rehabiliation efforts in the aftermath of man-made or natural disasters can hold valuable lessons for other countries facing similar conditions.
One of the principal objectives of the ACC Network Thematic Group is to increase project activities and investment in areas related to rural development and food security. Donors and/or financing agencies participating in the ACC Network fund Thematic Group activities at the national or regional level. Sources of funding are also identified by members of the Thematic Groups and representatives from the regional and central offices of partipating organizations.
In Zambia, for example, the Thematic Group organized a National Food Needs Assessment undertaken by a number of Government institutions. Funds for the study were obtained from UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, WFP and USAID.
The ACC Network Secretariat, located in the Rural Development Division (SDA) of FAO, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Network. The Secretariat includes a Help Desk system of SDA officers, who through e-mail and duty travel provide direct and practical assistance to FAORs and Thematic Groups; from help in the design and implementation of agendas to technical advice and information on issues related to rural development. The Help Desk system also facilitates linkages between Thematic Groups, UN organizations and other partners and promotes cooperation between Thematic Groups and the exchange of experiences at country and regional levels.
1 Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, India, Lebanon, Philippines, Samoa
2 Guinea Bissau, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
3 in Africa (Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe), Asia (Cambodia, China, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Viet Nam) and the Near East (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen)