Good governance, inclusiveness, transparency, pluralism, cross-sectoral coordination and a strong political will are all crucial elements in the fight to eradicate hunger.
This was the key conclusion emanating from the Regional Dialogue on Hunger, Food Insecurity and Malnutrition in the Caribbean, emphasizing the role of parliamentarians, held earlier this month in Antigua and Barbuda.
The meeting was jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), CARICOM Secretariat, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative, with the support of the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger of Latin America and the Caribbean.
In his opening remarks, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean, Dr. J.R.Deep Ford stressed the significance of the event.
“We will be discussing concepts such as the right to food as a universal human right, principles related to governance, policy issues related to food security and the strategic actions that might be taken to move us toward our goals,” he said. “It will be these strategic actions that we commit to, especially those related to how we organize, how we include others – individuals, communities, agencies and states – in other words, how we collaborate and govern in the broadest sense of the word, that will make the difference. The message is this – without good governance, we will not achieve the goals we have set for food security globally, regionally or nationally.”
Attendees were mainly parliamentarians and came from across the Caribbean and Latin America, representing Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education and Commerce, opposition parties, civil society organizations, agro-processors and producer associations and cooperatives.
Over the course of two days and through several working groups and panels, they shared best practices, discussed the best institutional frameworks and sought solutions to shared national and regional challenges to good governance of food security programmes.
In its concluding signed statement summarizing the outcomes of the meeting , the attendees made several commitments going forward including enhancing governance mechanisms and legislation that will build consensus; developing strategic initiatives for institutional development using multi-sector approaches; recognizing that hunger eradication is the responsibility of all citizens, working together in an inclusive and participatory approach; empowering and building capacity among youth, women and vulnerable groups and; promoting research, information sharing and resource mobilization.
Countries also committed to the formulation and sustaining of regional and national parliamentary fronts for promoting food and nutrition security, and striving to reach international standards in the political approach to the issues. To achieve this, the important role of CARICOM, FAO and other relevant organizations was reaffirmed.
well with labour party hunger eradication will never happen
Education was left out. Everyone has a right to food. Is everyone, especially the youths prepared to complete school in order to, hopefully obtain a well-paying stable job for their livelihood?
Face the facts of what truly caused poverty. When everyone especially in the democratic world bear their responsibilities as nationals, only then will poverty be eradicated.
Yes! They need jobs and so this is where the government comes in and also the business sector.
In case you overlooked it or do not know it, St. Paul warned that everyone should work for a living and if they do not work they do not have a right to eat.
Today, too many are sympathetic and with some of those who did not complete school or will not, who do not take their studies seriously and some dropped out of school. They leave school and are not able to obtain employment. Then turn around and blame the government.
The criteria mentioned above,which are the prerequisites to eliminating hunger is totally lacking and absent on island. The only hope we have on island,is that with Linton in the race,and that we will soon have a new, responsible leader and government for all the people.
Hunger and poverty is rife in this failed country, governed by a gang of greedy,incompetent and corrupt leaders.
Lennox and the UWP will ensure that good and accountable governance, inclusiveness, transparency, pluralism, cross-sectoral coordination and a strong political will be part of the new political-economic dispensation in order to eradicate hunger, poverty and hopelessness in Dominica.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
That’s the most nonsensical assumption to believe,pity you for believing such thing.The eradication of hunger, poverty and hopelessness whether in Dominica or the world in general cannot be solved Politically or by Politicians and bureaucrats that is just wishful thinking.