FAO and the Roma Tre University in Rome have signed an agreement to strengthen their ongoing collaboration in the education sector. FAO will now contribute its expertise in the key themes of Food Security, Nutrition and Sustainable Development to the university Master’s courses.

As a result of the agreement, Roma Tre will formally integrate FAO's materials and resources in its English-language Master’s programs "Human Development and Food Security" and "Cooperatives: Economics, Law and Management". These programs are of particular relevance to FAO’s priority areas of work: Family Farming, Nutrition, Microfinance, Cooperatives, Gender, Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems, Statistical Analysis and Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests. 

On its part, FAO will offer experts' support, including access to its resource materials, on-line courses, technical expertise and the potential internship opportunities to Roma Tre graduate students. 

A signatory to the Agreement, FAO Deputy Director General for Operations, Daniel Gustafson stated: “This renewed collaboration adds value to both the work of FAO and Roma Tre, bringing knowledge and field expertise to the classroom. This will contribute to the training of  future Roma Tre experts and decision-makers.”

The Rector of Roma Tre University, Prof. Mario Panizza, added: "Universities must be the catalysts for sustainable development and progress. This partnership will contribute to shaping a new generation, one that is aware and ready for the challenges of food security."

Ambassador Pierfrancesco Sacco, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations food agencies in Rome, further confirmed: "This Agreement is an important first step toward future concrete collaboration between FAO and Italian universities, to join forces on the new international development agenda.” 

The Agreement offers students the opportunity to become familiar with FAO’s key themes which are the foundation for the Organization’s mandate of a world free of hunger, while at the same time strengthening their own professional and technical skills.

The Agreement with Roma Tre exemplifies the significance that FAO places on partnerships. The Organization has a rich portfolio of partnerships with academia, civil society, NGOs, cooperatives and the private sector.