Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition

 

Right to Food Forum

 

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Online Discussion: "Natural resources governance and the right to adequate food"

Until 15 September 2014

Digest n.3

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Dear Right to Food Supporters,

We would like to share with you the feedback of the facilitators of the online discussion, Luisa Cruz and Margret Vidar.

You can read their message and the summaries of the latest comments below.

We are also happy to announce the extension of the deadline to the 15th of May in order to give you a little more time to share examples of natural resources governance that is beneficial for the realization of the right to food.

As you know, your comments and experience will help to further improve the working paper currently being prepared.

The full topic note and the questions are available in English, French and Spanish on the Forum's webpage.

To take part in the discussion simply visit the Forum and share your comments online. Alternatively, you can send them to [log in to unmask].

We look forward to hearing from you!

Your Right to Food Team

 

 

Luisa Cruz and Margret Vidar- Facilitators of the discussion

Dear Right to Food Forum Members,

Thank you very much for the rich and diverse contributions received so far. We have gathered concrete experiences from different countries and regions showing efforts towards the realization of the right to food through a better governance of natural resources.

Some of the inputs of the discussion have underlined the major role of traditional practices that moved from subsistence towards commercial focus. This is the case of Riverbed Farming as mentioned by one of our participants from Nepal. This point was also brought to the discussion by emphasizing that a solid knowledge of traditional land use and an impact assessment of future legislation is key in order to ensure effective implementation of legal frameworks. It was pointed out that claims made by traditional communities and their livelihoods should be protected though dispute resolution mechanisms that are suitable for the context of traditional communities. The importance of traditional practices and ensuring access to indigenous seeds was highlighted by the participant from Kenya who showed also the significance this has for food diversity, which is one of the conditions for food to be adequate.

The contributions from Bolivia bring concrete evidence on how legislation is being adopted in the country in order to provide a framework for improving governance of natural resources as a basis for the realization of the right to food. We noted that the Bolivian Constitution protects the right to food and the right to water in article16, and we learned about the adoption of the Framework law on “Mother Earth and Integral Development for Well Being” among the creation of several programs such as the one addressing adaptation of food security and food sovereignty to climate change. Another interesting example from Latin America is the contribution from Costa Rica showing current efforts and proposals for adopting sustainable production policies in the country.

Finally, the experiences from Africa show the importance of taking a participatory approach to the process of lawmaking as well as an ecosystem based approach applied particularly to the fisheries sector where the role of women is key. Another contribution noted the need for further institutional strengthening and capacity development for government and civil society. In terms of accountability we received a very interesting contribution referring to a recent case of the ECOWAS Court of justice illustrating how a regional body can intervene to hold both governments (that should ensure appropriate regulation) and private sector companies accountable for environmental damage and therefore for the violation of the right to an adequate standard of living including the right to food.

The discussion is still running and we will be more than pleased to receive further contributions till the 15th of September. Thanks again and best regards, Luisa Cruz and Margret Vidar Facilitators

Luisa Cruz and Margret Vidar
FAO Development Law Branch (LEGN) - Right to Food Team (ESA)

 

Contributions received:

 

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iconCarmen Lahoz, Spain

Carmen shares some information on a case in which the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to action on a complaint presented by a civil society organization against six oil companies and the federal government on human rights violations in the Niger Delta. The Court unanimously declared that the Nigerian Government was responsible for the violation of the people’s Right to Food. According to the Court the right to a generally satisfactory environment favourable to development was violated through the deterioration of living conditions in the Niger Delta that occurred because of the government’s failure to regulate the companies that had despoiled the area. [...]

> Read the contribution

 

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iconPatricia Ana Villarpando Vargas, Fundacion Agua Tuya, Bolivia

Patricia gives some further information on the situation in Bolivia, quoting the Constitution that acknowledges the duty of the State and the population to conserve, protect, sustainably exploit natural resources and enshrines the right be to participate in the environmental management, and to be consulted and previously informed about decisions that can affect the environmental quality. In addition she also shares information about national laws that are aimed at a sustainable management of the country’s natural resources. [...]

> Read the contribution

 

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iconGianluca Ragusa, International independent consultant, Italy

Gianluca highlights the need to strengthen governance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector (notably in Africa) at regional, national and local level. He would also welcome more funding, institutional strengthening (human resources and means) and capacity building for Administrations and civil society. [...]

> Read the contribution

 

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