Main Contributors

The work of the PAIA is directly coordinated by the Sub-committee on Ethics in Food and Agriculture. Leading contributions are made by AG and LEG (under Major Programme 3.1, Policy Assistance), which are also involved in serving the Panel of Experts on Ethics in Food and Agriculture. In addition, contributions are made by ESN (food quality control) and SD (safety assessment of genetically modified organisms, ethical issues related to HIV/AIDS, etc.).

Objectives

1. to mainstream activities relevant to ethics in food and agriculture within FAO, in order to incorporate ethical considerations, where pertinent, in the ongoing normative and technical work of the Organization; and
2. to assist with raising public awareness on ethical issues in food and agriculture and facilitate exchanges with other inter-governmental organizations.

Priorities

1. two biennial publications in the "FAO Ethics Series" (and further publications, if adequate funding is available in a biennium); these publications will deal with ethical dimensions of food and agriculture, especially issues of public interest, with the aim of providing clear concepts and analysis and facilitating needed policy decisions by member countries;
2. biennial meetings of the Panel of Eminent Experts on Ethics in Food and Agriculture;
3. maintenance and further development of an ethics section within FAO's website, and related information management tools; and
4. close relations with other inter-governmental and UN bodies, in particular UNESCO and WHO, on matters of common interest related to ethics.

[extract from MTP 2004-09]