Food systems, gender and post-2015
2014 was a crucial year for the international development community for setting the groundwork and course for various milestones of global development in 2015 and beyond. This was the case for the international community, but also for the Platform itself.
Download the 2014 Annual Report
As today’s world leaders move on from the food crisis to prioritise the economy, job creation, urbanisation, and industrialisation, the Platform is working to keep agricultural and rural development on the agenda by demonstrating its critical role in eliminating poverty and strengthening economic growth.
The past year was a demanding, but also very rewarding year for the Platform. It started in Paris in January with the Annual General Assembly (AGA), hosted by the French Development Agency (AFD), focusing on territorial approaches, and ended in Florence in December with another AGA, hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC-Italy). The AGA in Florence was themed Food Systems and Gender – Women’s empowerment for food security and nutrition because women’s central role as smallholders in food and nutrition security and contribute as entrepreneurs, development agents and policy makers.
Between these two milestones, the Platform undertook a thorough external evaluation, which provided valuable insight into the Platform’s future and will serve as the basis for developing the new Strategic Plan 2016-2020. In response to the rapidly changing development context, the strategic initiative to position rural development issues in the Post-2015 process was renewed and some very active work streams, particularly on land, nutrition and private sector and trade, were supported. The vibrant exchange between members in these workstreams was demonstrated by the various conference calls that took place last year.
Food, agriculture, nutrition, and rural development including land governance and tenure continue to be key priorities in the fight against poverty and hunger. Platform members agree that Platform goals cannot be achieved without addressing the education and empowerment of women. The importance of building strategic partnerships with business representatives to create more efficient and equitable agricultural markets and to drive new technological, knowledge-based, financial and managerial resources and innovation is recognised.
Publication date: May 2015
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