IFAD: Governing Council 2011

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:55:37 +0000

Last Saturday, 19 February, I had the opportunity — or rather, I would say the honour — of attending the 34th Governing Council of IFAD in Rome. The event brought together delegates from 167 IFAD member countries who, alongside international figures, young leaders from farming communities, and high-level institutional representatives, debated how to guarantee food security, strengthen smallholder farmers, and how to support — and above all encourage — young people living in rural areas of developing countries.

Opening the proceedings, Fund President Kanayo F. Nwanze said that IFAD is working to build stronger and more dynamic rural economies, which will in turn give momentum to the agency’s efforts to eradicate rural poverty. “The programmes and projects we support are creating the conditions for smallholder farmers and the entire rural poor to become small entrepreneurs in the new emerging markets.”

The Board of Governors was also attended by Kofi Annan, Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, together with Princess Haya Al Hussein, UN Messenger of Peace, who touched on a fundamental point of discussion that was later taken up in the afternoon during a round table in plenary session: “making agriculture more attractive to young people with ambition and initiative.” “They are the generation needed for sustainable change to occur.”

This is a theme that has always been very close to my heart, one that touches me personally. For years I have followed and supported the Slow Food movement founded by Carlo Petrini, who was the protagonist of the round table held during the afternoon — a round table I was very happy to attend.

Slow Food on nhaima

IFAD: Governing Council 2011