FAO highlights the work between academia and parliaments to develop innovative policies against hunger.

October 19, Santiago, Chile. As part of the World Food Forum (WFF), currently taking place in Rome, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) promoted the dialogue "Science and innovation to address hunger and food insecurity."

This initiative results from a collaborative work between the Right to Food Observatory, FAO Americas, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) in the region's fight against hunger and malnutrition.

The Observatory has collaborated technically in various processes promoted by the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger in initiatives such as the Draft Law on Food and Nutritional Security of Costa Rica, the Draft Framework Law on the Right to Food and Food Security of Uruguay, the Model Law on Food Losses and Waste of Parlatino, among others.

The National Autonomous University of Mexico, the University of Havana (Cuba), the University of Medellin (Colombia), and the University of Joinville (Brazil) presented their research on the generation and monitoring of legislation and public policies with an impact on SDG2 to put an end to hunger.

FAO's Regional Representative, Mario Lubetkin, inaugurated the event, and academics from ODA-LAC, the Presidency of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO), and experts from FAO's international cooperation alliances with Spain and Mexico were part of the panel.

"The situation we face today in Latin America and the Caribbean is complex. Both hunger and malnutrition have increased in our region in recent years. Added to this are the consequences of COVID-19 and the rising prices of food and inputs, such as fertilizers, in the wake of the crisis in Ukraine," said Mr. Mario Lubetkin, FAO Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this context, Lubetkin highlighted the significant contribution of the Right To Food Observatory's academic network and called on universities in the region to work together and in coordination with other key actors, such as the Parliamentary Front against Hunger of Latin America and the Caribbean and the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO).

"We cannot forget that the scientific and academic world is a key agent for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger (SDG2), thanks to its capacity to generate scientific and technical knowledge, strengthen capacities, facilitate dialogue between diverse actors and generate evidence and innovation in public policies," added Lubetkin.

Universities against hunger and malnutrition

The Right to Food Observatory emerged in 2011 thanks to the Support Project for the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative of FAO and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and has been strengthened by the support of AMEXCID in the framework of its joint program with FAO, "Mesoamerica without Hunger AMEXCID-FAO."

"Universities are crucial for the democratization of the processes linked to the generation of State policies for food and nutritional security. They contribute with scientific evidence and collaborate in the socialization of progress, challenges, and results," explained Luis Lobo, Spain-FAO alliance officer for Latin America and the Caribbean.

This is an academic network of more than 90 universities from 17 countries in the region, which has generated close to 100 research projects to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of legislation and policies for sustainable and resilient agriculture and adequate, relevant, and healthy food.

"The challenges our region is facing require joining efforts between governments, international cooperation, and academia. Scientific evidence, knowledge, technology, and innovation must serve as a guide to build public policies and to enhance the generation of opportunities that contribute to eradicating hunger and malnutrition," said Alfredo Mayén, FAO Program Officer for "Mesoamerica without Hunger AMEXCID-FAO."

The ODA-LAC is a knowledge exchange platform based on international cooperation. It has inspired the creation of a Right to Food Observatory in Spain and has even advanced actions to replicate its experience in Africa.

The support provided by Spanish Cooperation, FAO, and AMEXCID, for academic work in the region has also benefited the Spanish society," explained Ana Regina Segura, Head of the Rural Development, Food Security and Nutrition Area of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). "It is a clear example of two-way cooperation," she added.