Welcome to the first issue of the FAO’s Right to Food Newsletter
Dear Friends,
The deprivation of the right to food, one of today’s most serious human rights violations, is often overlooked. This newsletter aims to give a voice to the hungry and to all those who are involved in assisting their plight. It aims to strengthen governments in their efforts to make the right to food a reality for all. This newsletter will focus on putting the right to food into practice.
A starving farmer is as much a human rights issue as a censored journalist – and there are significantly more of them. Yet, while oppressed journalists make headlines, hungry people are too often ignored. The world needs to get equally upset about the denied rights of these hungry millions. We want to make people listen to these silent voices. And act to make them heard.
Those promoting the right to food must be visionaries who think out of the box and have the capacity to mobilize others. They should also be realists, however, seeking pragmatic solutions, advancing step-by-step wherever there is an opportunity and consolidating achievements. Determination is fundamental to any effort.
The global theme for World Food Day 2007 is The Right to Food. The millions of hungry farmers may finally make headlines. This year is an opportunity to consolidate progress made, learn from successful experiences, and make headway towards ensuring that the right to food is realized for every person – be it man, woman or child.
It gives me great pleasure to launch the first issue of this FAO’s Right to Food Newsletter, which I see as a platform for information, empowerment, discussion and mobilization. Above all, I see it as an interactive opportunity to share FAO and Right to Food knowledge with you, AND, at the same time, an opportunity for you, specialists and practitioners, to share your thoughts, ideas, experiences and lessons learned.
The themes covered in the newsletter correspond to the main areas of action identified in the Right to Food Guidelines adopted by FAO in 2004: 1) Advocacy and training: 2) Information and assessment: 3) Legislation and accountability; 4) Strategy and coordination; 5) Benchmarks and monitoring. Starting with a look at legislation and at country strategies in the present edition, we will then continue in the next edition with a focus on advocacy and information – and, of course, World Food Day.
Putting the right to food into practice requires concrete action in the legal, political, economic and social fields. You will discover that the expertise and services offered by FAO reflect this diversity of policies and areas of activity.
As Coordinator of the Right to Food Unit, I would like to personally thank you for your interest and commitment to this issue. I wish you interesting reading and look forward to our quarterly meeting.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara Ekwall
The Human Right to Food
The right approach to food security
Despite significant growth in global food production, 850 million people – nearly one-sixth of the world’s population – still suffer from chronic hunger. These millions, generally among developing countries’ most marginalized, do not have regular access to sufficient, nutritious food to support an active, healthy life. For them, food security is as scarce as their participation in political and economic decision-making, and their legal human right to food is far from being realized.
The rights-based approach offers a development alternative that can improve food security while recognizing human dignity and the inherent worth of every individual. Fostering an enabling environment that empowers people to feed themselves and their families, can unlock human potential and move away from the benevolence model of food aid.
Starting at the grassroots level, with the assumption that every human being has the right and the responsibility to feed themselves and their family, a rights-based approach can find the reasons why communities do not have enough to eat.. Perhaps farm land is not available, or those who have land may lack seeds or water. Perhaps jobs are unavailable, the pay too low, or markets have little or no food for sale. A rights-based approach is as much about the outcome – ending hunger and malnutrition – as it is about empowering people and ensuring a fair and transparent policy-making process to achieve these goals.
In 2004, the Right to Food Guidelines were adopted by FAO members to help realize this essential human right in their countries. While these guidelines provide an internationally accepted reference and checklist for government action, FAO’s newly established Right to Food Unit has tools and ideas ready to assist all interested stakeholders. When it comes to food security, we must all be interested, each one of us, because every human being is a stakeholder and a right to food rights-holder. Country work around the world has led to some key recommendations for an effective food security policy:
- create awareness and commitment at the highest political level for food and nutrition issues,
- generate and broaden the widest possible support for food and nutrition issues,
- take concerted action for food security involving not only agriculture and production sectors, but all government entities and stakeholders.
The Right to Food Unit has incorporated these recommendations into its work which it has centred on the following five areas of activity:
- Advocacy and Training – to make all stakeholders aware of their rights and obligations and to lobby for a rights-based approach in all policy areas – from land titling to primary education, from disease control to regulating fisheries.
- Information and Assessment – to identify the most vulnerable populations as well as what they require to establish food security for themselves and their communities
- Legislation and Accountability – to establish transparency, recourse mechanisms and avenues of appeal to help rights-holders establish their rights
- Strategy and Coordination – to bring policies and programmes affecting food in line with a people-centred and rights-based approach
- Benchmarks and Monitoring – to evaluate how governments and other stakeholders are progressing toward human rights goals
Incorporating human rights principles into traditional development approaches may supply the “missing element,” which some claim, has prevented 50 years of humanitarian aid from establishing food security and overcoming poverty. The World Food Day 2007 theme “The Right to Food”, provides an opportunity to focus global attention on this often overlooked human right.
We have the means to achieve full realization of the right to food for all. Now is the time to make it happen.
Focus on: Legislation and Accountability
In order to guarantee that every man, woman and child can realize their human right to adequate food, means must be available to hold states accountable for implementing policies that will progressively realize this right. All stakeholders must understand what the right to food means, and recourse mechanisms must be in place should the right be violated.
The Right to Food Guidelines (full text of the guidelines available on the Right to Food website) offer states practical guidance to develop effective institutional and legal frameworks to implement the right to adequate food and to establish independent monitoring mechanisms to implement these frameworks. In summary, the Guidelines recommend that states:
- ensure non-discriminatory physical and economic access to adequate food and to build an effective institutional framework to do so;
- review the legal framework for the progressive realization of the right to adequate food; and
- establish independent and autonomous mechanisms to monitor the progressive realization of the right to adequate food.
An adequate legal framework is essential if a state is to respect, protect and fulfil the right to adequate food without discrimination. Guideline 7 recommends that states include provisions in their domestic law, possibly at the constitutional level, to facilitate progressive realization of the right to adequate food. Such legal mechanisms allow vulnerable individuals and groups to seek remedies for violations of their right before administrative, quasi-judicial and judicial bodies.
States should also disseminate information about available entitlements and remedies and consider strengthening laws giving access to women heads of households, to poverty-reduction and nutrition security programmes and projects.
Strategy and Coordination
Taking the Right to Food from the halls of diplomacy into every corner* of the world – moving it through legislatures and courtrooms and out into the fields and factories – is the mission of the FAO Right to Food Unit. The Right to Food team sees information and awareness raising as one of its main tasks. A good understanding of the right to food and access to information about right to food issues are fundamental for the development of instruments needed for the implementation of the right to food.
Only through effective human rights-oriented policies and coordinated rights-based strategies can duty-bearers fulfil their obligations to enable rights-holders to feed themselves in dignity.
The following examples of country experiences illustrate what different right to food activities can look like:
Coordinator Marcela Libombo of the Food Security and Nutrition Technical Secretariat (SETSAN) recently requested the Unit’s assistance when Food Security Strategy shortcomings were identified; Mozambique had previously been reacting only to emergencies.“ Food security requires a multi-sectoral approach. One sector cannot do it alone.” Ms Marcela Libombo noted that when growers produce a variety of products, “they need to know how to eat them and to clean them well; that is the job of the Ministry of Health.” Similarly, if Mozambique grows enough food for export but some areas within the country still suffer shortages, the country remains food insecure.
In June 2007, government, civil society and international observers commented on the final revision of Mozambique’s food security strategy before submitting it for government approval. A Brazilian right to food expert participated in the process and shared the lessons learned. The strategy received Government approval in September 2007.
In Brazil, government support and the mobilization of more than 800 NGOs have led to a successful “public-private partnership” for social inclusion, food security, and realizing the right to food. The policies rely on human rights-based accountability and recourse mechanisms for the individual.
Advances in right to food implementation also concern the establishment of food security nets.
Mr Noel de Luna, with the Philippines Ministry of Agriculture, gives an interesting example of private sector involvement in a school feeding programme: Many private companies have joined in the, “adopt a school programme,” effort to supplement government school meals in the Philippines. “Once children are in school, they get two meals a day; sometimes they can even bring rice home to their families.”
Kenya, has also taken a new anti-hunger measure: The country produces 290,000 metric tons of maize annually, and is committed to holding 36,000 metric tons in their strategy food reserves. “We have established a hunger safety net,” explained James Okoth Oduor, Drought Management Coordinator, “to help the very poor, orphans, widows, and the disabled.”
Understanding the weaknesses in a food security strategy from the point of view of the vulnerable themselves is one of the first steps in refining measures and strategies. The Right to Food Unit has recently completed a “Guide to Conducting a Right-to-Adequate Food Assessment”. This guide has been elaborated to assist countries in undertaking a right-to-adequate food assessment as a first step in the process of developing a right to adequate food strategy and implementing specific measures in compliance with their obligation to progressively realize this human right.
FAO wants to do its part. In cooperation with individual states, FAO works to develop capacity in the areas of legislation, policy, assessment, monitoring, and accountability. Incorporating human rights principles into traditional development approaches may supply the “missing element,” which some claim, has prevented 50 years of humanitarian aid from overcoming poverty. Empowerment is a key to moving away from the benevolence model of food aid to an enabling environment in which people can feed themselves. A rights-based approach can help not only achieve food security, but also to meet international poverty reduction goals, while simultaneously recognizing human dignity and the inherent worth of every individual. We have the means to achieve full realization of the right to food for all. Now is the time to make it happen.
*As of 20 July 2007, 156 countries have ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognising the legal status of the right to food
Taking the Right to Food from the halls of diplomacy into every corner* of the world – moving it through legislatures and courtrooms and out into the fields and factories – is the mission of the FAO Right to Food Unit. The Right to Food team sees information and awareness raising as one of its main tasks. A good understanding of the right to food and access to information about right to food issues are fundamental for the development of instruments needed for the implementation of the right to food.
Only through effective human rights-oriented policies and coordinated rights-based strategies can duty-bearers fulfil their obligations to enable rights-holders to feed themselves in dignity.
The following examples of country experiences illustrate what different right to food activities can look like:
Coordinator Marcela Libombo of the Food Security and Nutrition Technical Secretariat (SETSAN) recently requested the Unit’s assistance when Food Security Strategy shortcomings were identified; Mozambique had previously been reacting only to emergencies.“ Food security requires a multi-sectoral approach. One sector cannot do it alone.” Ms Marcela Libombo noted that when growers produce a variety of products, “they need to know how to eat them and to clean them well; that is the job of the Ministry of Health.” Similarly, if Mozambique grows enough food for export but some areas within the country still suffer shortages, the country remains food insecure.
In June 2007, government, civil society and international observers commented on the final revision of Mozambique’s food security strategy before submitting it for government approval. A Brazilian right to food expert participated in the process and shared the lessons learned. The strategy received Government approval in September 2007.
In Brazil, government support and the mobilization of more than 800 NGOs have led to a successful “public-private partnership” for social inclusion, food security, and realizing the right to food. The policies rely on human rights-based accountability and recourse mechanisms for the individual.
Advances in right to food implementation also concern the establishment of food security nets.
Mr Noel de Luna, with the Philippines Ministry of Agriculture, gives an interesting example of private sector involvement in a school feeding programme: Many private companies have joined in the, “adopt a school programme,” effort to supplement government school meals in the Philippines. “Once children are in school, they get two meals a day; sometimes they can even bring rice home to their families.”
Kenya, has also taken a new anti-hunger measure: The country produces 290,000 metric tons of maize annually, and is committed to holding 36,000 metric tons in their strategy food reserves. “We have established a hunger safety net,” explained James Okoth Oduor, Drought Management Coordinator, “to help the very poor, orphans, widows, and the disabled.”
Understanding the weaknesses in a food security strategy from the point of view of the vulnerable themselves is one of the first steps in refining measures and strategies. The Right to Food Unit has recently completed a “Guide to Conducting a Right-to-Adequate Food Assessment”. This guide has been elaborated to assist countries in undertaking a right-to-adequate food assessment as a first step in the process of developing a right to adequate food strategy and implementing specific measures in compliance with their obligation to progressively realize this human right.
FAO wants to do its part. In cooperation with individual states, FAO works to develop capacity in the areas of legislation, policy, assessment, monitoring, and accountability. Incorporating human rights principles into traditional development approaches may supply the “missing element,” which some claim, has prevented 50 years of humanitarian aid from overcoming poverty. Empowerment is a key to moving away from the benevolence model of food aid to an enabling environment in which people can feed themselves. A rights-based approach can help not only achieve food security, but also to meet international poverty reduction goals, while simultaneously recognizing human dignity and the inherent worth of every individual. We have the means to achieve full realization of the right to food for all. Now is the time to make it happen.
*As of 20 July 2007, 156 countries have ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognising the legal status of the right to food
What’s special about October 16, 2007?It’s the day everyone takes action to ensure that we’re moving towards achieving the Right to Food in all countries of the world.
Each year on October 16, FAO encourages a single focus on how to achieve the goal of achieving “food for all”.
This year the theme is Right to Food – every person’s right to have consistent access to sufficient food that is culturally acceptable to ensure overall well-being and dignity.
What does the Right to Food mean for you?
Beyond food aid in emergenciesFAO publishes a new resource guide on good nutrition in crisis and recovery
27 June 2005, Rome - Enabling people in emergencies to realize their right to food and ensure the nutritional well-being of their families should be an important objective of relief and rehabilitation efforts, FAO said today.
Violation of the right to food, as often occurs in situations of conflict and crisis, can seriously offend human dignity. It can also lead to increased vulnerability to illness and malnutrition FAO said in a new publication entitled 'Protecting and promoting good nutrition in crisis and recovery'.
Every year, floods, droughts, earthquakes, outbreaks of plant and animal pests and diseases and other natural disasters as well as armed conflicts, adversely affect the lives of millions of people in the developing world. Access to a nutritionally adequate amount and variety of good quality and safe food becomes difficult and contributes to high rates of malnutrition.
When a crisis occurs, food production is often no longer possible, income is reduced, food distribution and marketing networks collapse, and people's homes and belongings are looted, destroyed or burned. The disruption of normal life results in rising poverty and vulnerability to food insecurity and malnutrition.
Improved nutrition and protection of livelihoods
"Temporary food distribution is necessary to help people to cope under emergency conditions. However, at the same time, assistance is also often needed to help restore local food production and to reduce the dependency on food aid," said Anne M. Bauer, Director of FAO's Emergency and Rehabilitation Division.
The new FAO resource guide - available in print and as a CD-Rom - offers guidance to programme planners and technicians in the field of nutrition, food security, agriculture, and community and social development on how to adopt a long-term perspective to food insecurity and malnutrition during periods of crisis and recovery.
Whenever possible, the publication states, food distribution should be combined with actions to improve self-reliant access to food. If there are suitable conditions for agriculture and livestock husbandry, diversified food production which reflects seasonal food shortfalls and nutrient gaps should be supported.
"Food diversity can be increased through field crop production, horticulture, rearing of poultry or small livestock, cultivation of fruit and nut trees, fishing, small-scale irrigation and the utilization of wild foods," said Kraisid Tontisirin, Director of FAO's Food and Nutrition Division.
Nutrition education
Food and nutrition education plays a vital role in protecting and promoting household food security and nutrition. For example, nutrition advice on eating certain foods should be supported by advice on how to plant, protect, store, process and prepare those foods.
"Adequate knowledge of what constitutes an appropriate diet, as well as the skills and motivation to practice good care and feeding practices, are vital for households' survival, during times of crisis," said Tontisirin.
FAO Council adopts Right to Food GuidelinesSeen as landmark commitment to human rights
24 November 2004, Rome -- The Council, the executive governing body of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), yesterday evening adopted Voluntary Guidelines that would "support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security."
The adoption of the Right to Food Guidelines comes two months to the day after the FAO Committee on World Food Security endorsed them following some 20 months of often difficult, but constructive negotiations.
According to FAO, the Guidelines were conceived "to provide practical guidance" to help countries implement their obligations relating to the right to adequate food.
This should improve the chances of reaching the hunger reduction goals set by the 1996 World Food Summit and the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations. Both agreed to cut the number of hungry people in the world by half by 2015.
Unless people are moved off the rolls of hungry at a much greater rate than is currently the case, it is very unlikely that the goal will be met, said FAO.
Establishes far reaching universal principles
The Voluntary Guidelines take into account a wide range of important human rights principles, including equality and non-discrimination, participation and inclusion, accountability and the rule of law, as well as the principle that all human rights are universal, indivisible, inter-related and interdependent.
According to FAO, various non-governmental groups and intergovernmental organizations contributed significantly in the preparation of the Guidelines. These included the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the North-South Alliance, which is a coalition of a large number of NGOs.
A practical tool to implement human rights
Hartwig de Haen, Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Department, said, "The Guidelines are a human rights-based tool addressed to all states to help implement good practices in food security policies. They cover the full range of actions that need to be taken at the national level to construct an enabling environment for people to feed themselves in dignity and to establish appropriate safety nets for those who cannot. This land mark event signifies universal acceptance of what the right to food really means."
Giuliano Pucci, FAO Legal Counsel, said, "Now we face the challenge of putting these Guidelines into everyday practice in a way that will bring an end to the injustice of hunger. The Guidelines provide us with a new instrument to better define the obligation of the state and to address the needs of the hungry and malnourished and we should use them to empower the poor and hungry to claim their rights."
According to FAO, the guidelines must be implemented to have any hope of reducing by half the number of hungry people in the world by 2015.
FAO developed Guidelines at request of Summit
At the June 2002 World Food Summit: five years later, Heads of State and Government reaffirmed "the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food."
The declaration invited the FAO Council to establish an Intergovernmental Working Group to develop a set of voluntary guidelines to support Member States' efforts to achieve the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization provided the Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Working Group that negotiated the Guidelines.