Communication for Development: FAO and the University of Reading strengthen ties


© FAO/Arete/Ismail Taxta

23/05/2023 - 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Department of International Development in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading, UK, will continue to collaborate in the field of Communication for Development and Rural Communication Services.

Starting during the International Year of Family Farming in 2014 and further growing within the context of the UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF), the fruitful partnership between the two parties has included production of publications, collaborations on regional studies, consultations on rural communications services for family farming, and development of joint learning activities.

In light of the joint successes, the institutions recently signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to work together to design and offer viable rural communication services for family farmers.

“This LoI is a natural progression of the long-lasting collaboration between the University of Reading and FAO, and it paves the way for an even greater commitment by the parties”, said Mario Acunzo, Team leader of the FAO Communication for Development team. “We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with FAO through the LoI, on issues we jointly consider fundamental to meeting our global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, said Sarah Cardey, Associate Professor in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading. 

The LoI represents furthered commitment by the parties to continue their joint support to universities, farmer organizations, rural institutions, communication networks and initiatives from the Global South. With the goal of developing capacities in Communication for Development and Rural Communication Services, potential joint activities include:

  • capacity development activities in Communication for Development, such as training, seminars and internships;
  • research to generate evidence on the importance of rural communication services in policy formulation;
  • joint publications;
  • supporting the Collaborative Change Communication for Development (CCComDev) knowledge sharing platform; and
  • engagements with fellow academic and professional institutions, e.g. the Rural Communication Working Group of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR).

The collaboration between the University of Reading and FAO intends to support the parties’ mutual aims to advance progress on achieving the SDGs and help ensure better lives for all, leaving no one behind.

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