Posted June 2001
"I appreciate the innovative modalities of action being envisaged, and welcome the intention to involve civil society organizations in the work of the ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security and, particularly, in the activities of thematic groups within the Resident Coordinators system." |
The national Thematic Group is a forum for civil society organizations (CSOs) to develop dialogue and build partnerships with member governments, and a means therefore of increasing CSO participation in decision-making. These benefits of CSO involvement are increasingly recognized across the regions. Over one-third of national Thematic Groups now comprise representatives of CSOs, whose Group activities range from advocacy to the collection and sharing of national information, the design and implementation of projects, the mobilization of resources and support to national governments in preparations for World Food Summit: Five Years Later (WFS: fyl), including country papers.
The ACC Network is exploring new approaches to working together with civil society at the national, regional and international levels, particularly in the context of WFS: fyl.
The Thematic Group in Uruguay will shortly hold a national workshop for development partners - including national NGOs and CSOs - to evaluate the experiences of national agricultural producers and to prepare a report on the state of food insecurity and the rural sector in Uruguay. The conclusions of the workshop will be used as working material for the National Committee of WFS: fyl. Most countries in the Latin American region are holding similar workshops, supported by the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to support the preparations for WFS: fyl.
The Thematic Group in Nicaragua - a multistakeholder group - has produced a report citing regional examples of public expenditure on rural development and support to rural areas, which will act as tool for accountability in national public expenses to counter rural poverty.
The newly-created Thematic Group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is inviting CSO participation in meetings and events related to the preparation of the country's WFS: fyl exercises.
The Thematic Group in Ecuador has helped formulate a draft of National Strategy on Food Security with the participation of a broad range of stakeholders - from farmers and indigenous people rights' groups to Members of Parliament. Once approved, the text will be incorporated into the National Development Plan - Ecuador 2025.
The Thematic Group in Nicaragua has stimulated a debate on National Strategy on Food Security with the involvement of a cross-section of NGOs and civil society. This debate continues in efforts to assess the exact participation of the Official Delegation for Nicaragua at WFS: fyl.
The Thematic Groups in Niger and Sri Lanka are compiling information for inventories of past projects and programmes in food security and agriculture implemented in the country since 1997. This data is to be incorporated into the WFS: fyl country papers of the respective governments.
The Thematic Group in Bolivia is carrying out research into the perceptions of rural development amongst various national stakeholders, which is to to be debated and consolidated by Group members.
The Thematic Group in Turkey has formed a multi-sectoral team in order that representatves of the UN, government, NGOs, academic and research institutions and the private sector can consolidate information and prepare a National Food and Nutrition Strategy Paper.
For further information on the ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security, and the participation of civil society, please contact rdfs-net@fao.org.