Many events are organized on and around World Food
Day. On and around October 16, a wide-ranging program is organized at the
FAO's headquarters in Rome, Italy. The program is aimed at leaders of political
and non-political organizations at all levels and at increasing press attention
on topical issues around food supply. Other UN organizations and universities
around the world organize symposia, conferences, workshops and presentations
of particular issues around food production, distribution and security. In
addition, special initiatives, such as the “International Year of Rice”
in 2004 and the “International Year of the Potato” in 2008 were
launched.
Across the globe, many different events
are organized to raise awareness of problems in food supply and distribution
and to raise money to support projects to aid in the cultivation of food plants
and the distribution of food. An example of this is TeleFood, which funds micro
projects to help small-scale farmers at the grassroots level. The projects aim
to help farmers be more productive and improve both local communities' access
to food and farmers' cash income. Fundraising events include sponsored sports
events, charity auctions, concerts, and marches.
Events take place in over 150 countries
to mark World Food Day. In Rome, home to FAO’s headquarters, these include
in 2006 a 5km Run-for-Food race through the city’s historic centre, with
up to 5,000 people taking part. (Click here for full details). A Right to Food
Youth Education Initiative is being launched, which includes comic strips in
several languages for young people across the world. FAO's Director General
delivers an address outlining the goals of World Food Day (click here for 2006
address), the US Mission to FAO presents a keynote speech and the pope sends
a message of support for the day. (For a full list of global events for 2006
across the rest of the world click here). Below are example of events held across
the world in recent years.
Europe
In Italy, ministries, universities, research
agencies, international agencies and NGOs have organized many conferences as
well as exhibitions and symposia. The Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Policies organized a meeting which focused on women's rights in rural areas
in 2005. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture
have all become involved via press conferences. Spanish television has been
active in broadcasting events. FAO Goodwill Ambassador – Spanish soccer
star Raul – has taken part in events and helped highlight food-security
issues across his country. The UK Food Group has also been active through conferences
and media broadcasts. In the emerging economies of Eastern Europe – i.e.,
Albania, Armenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova,
Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovak Republic – a variety of activities have
been held. In Armenia, staff from the Ministry of Agriculture, non-governmental
organizations, Armenian State Agriculture University, the donor community, international
organizations, and the mass media have participated in the World Food Day ceremony.
In Hungary, renowned experts have given presentations in the Hungarian Agricultural
Museum and FAO, and WFD medals have been awarded to well-known Hungarian experts
by the FAO Sub-Regional Representative.
Africa
Angola celebrated WFD in 2005 through
the 4th Forum on Rural Women, while in Burundi the second Vice-President planted
potatoes to provide a symbolic example about food production. In Central African
Republic, the President of the Republic has inaugurated a bridge at Boda to
coincide with World Food Day, making the agricultural production area more accessible.
In Chad, thousands of people have attended debates, conferences and activities
including theatre, films, folk dance, visits to project sites and visits by
agricultural companies. In Ghana, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has hosted
a food security conference, while Namibia has run an awareness campaign through
national media.
Asia
The Government of Bangladesh has been
involved through organizing a food festival; in China in 2005, celebrations
were organized in Qujing City, where numerous ethnical minorities live, by the
Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Qujing City, with the participation
of a number of senior officials of the Government. In the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, seminars have been held and visits made to various project
sites. The Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia has in the past organized a
major Food Expo in Bandung, West Java, while a Farmers' and Fishermen's Workshop
of NGOs was held in Bali.
Latin America and the Caribbean
In Chile, exhibitions of indigenous food
products have been prepared by local communities. In Argentina, senior officials
of the Government, academics, international organizations and the press have
participated in the main ceremony. In Mexico in 2005, a National Campaign for
a "Mexico Without Hunger" was held, with the involvement and support
of civil society and students. In Cuba, producers have been able to exchange
views and experiences at an agricultural fair. The media strongly supports awareness
campaigns on World Food Day; for example in Venezuela there has been national
coverage of events.
The Near East
In Afghanistan, representatives of Ministries,
embassies, UN agencies, International Financial Organizations, National and
International NGOs and FAO staff have attended the World Food Day ceremony.
Egypt has hosted a Forum on nutrition issues. Morocco and Tunisia have held
seminars and exhibitions. In Cyprus, special ceremonies have been organized
in primary and secondary schools, where teachers explained the significance
of World Food Day.
