Interview with Mr. Jacques Godfrain and Mr. Alain Pierret, Co-chairs of the National French Alliance "Alliés contre la faim"
In this interview Mr. Jacques Godfrain, President of the FAO French Association and former French cooperation minister, and Mr. Alain Pierret, President of the Interministerial Committee for Food and Agriculture, acting as Co-chairs of the National French Alliance "Alliés contre la faim", talk about the recent creation of the Alliance and its activities during the Salon International de l'Agriculture in Paris in March 2005.
How did the launching of a National Alliance Against Hunger in France take place?
Alain Pierret: The international community decided to unite its efforts to reach the goals set during the World Food Summit 1996. Representatives of 185 countries met during World Food Summit: five years later, held in Rome in 2002, supporting the creation of an International Alliance Against Hunger that gathers National Alliances to create awareness among world public opinion. The Alliance creates an enabling environment to reinforce political support towards already existing actions; it builds a common vision among partners, it fosters collaboration among them and represents an international forum to promote expertise.
The International Alliance works through the National Alliances which constitute its national "chapters". France couldn't keep from mobilizing efforts and participating in this initiative supported by FAO, IFAD (International Fund for Agriculture Development) and WFP (World Food Programme). That's why, on the occasion of World Food Day activities, the FAO French Association organized a meeting on 6 October 2004 with stakeholders involved in the fight against hunger. They welcomed the proposal of launching a National Alliance in France. On 9 December 2004 another meeting was held to discuss the creation of this National Alliance. Some 50 participants representing at high-level many French institutions participated and gave support to the creation of the French Alliance.
The first meeting of the new National Alliance took place on 26 January 2005 and discussed organizational matters and a plan of work for 2005. The Alliance decided to name itself "Alliés contre la faim" (Allied against hunger) emphasizing on the commitment of each member.
Jacques Godfrain: We commit to do more in building together the French Alliance against hunger because it is essential to create awareness of hunger and poverty in rich countries. This alliance should give visibility to the existing activities and create new synergies among initiatives carried out by the French both at national and international level. We hope that this new way of working will also encourage the participation of other civil society stakeholders.
What are the main objectives of this new National Alliance?
AP: "Alliés contre la faim" supports the efforts of French partners engaged in fighting against hunger. In this respect, uniting our efforts is an essential condition to obtain significant results and sustained progress.
Taking into account this mission, "Alliés contre la faim" has adopted the following objectives:
- Gather and mobilize a large amount of institutions and civil society members in the fight against hunger.
- Foster dialogue among members and develop a systemic approach to development.
- Gather information regarding projects of many actors in order to promote exchange of communication and enhance coordination.
- Promote the activities that have taken place.
JG: The French Alliance aims also at tackling problems linked to malnutrition and poverty in France. According to the INSEE, the Statistics and Revenue Institute in France (Insee-Dgi, enquête Revenus fiscaux from 1996 to 2001), in 2001, some 3 600 000 people, which represent 6.1 percent of the population, live under the poverty line. The amount of people who resort to food aid is increasing. Poverty and hunger cannot continue to be left aside. These problems are at the heart of our society. This century needs to be more humane and every person should donate a bit of themselves to the other.
What activities are planned for the future?
JG: "Alliés contre la faim" is a catalyst and a moderator. It seeks to inform its members about the areas of work and the main activities each organization carries out in order to enhance their value.
It also seeks to identify the areas that need to be strengthened in order to establish a working plan emphasizing on the creation of new projects. The Alliance has proposed to organize an annual meeting with other interested organizations to create awareness, along with a press conference and press releases. An annual report on the status of the activities at both national and international level regarding the fight against hunger will also be prepared. A first report might be presented during the next World Food Day.
During the Alliance's first week of existance, it organized an important communication event: its participation in the Salon International de l'Agriculture, from 26 February to 6 March 2005. As in previous years, FAO had a stand in the Salon dedicated to the French Alliance and the International Alliance Aganist Hunger.
The date of the launching of the French Alliance "Alliés contre la faim" and of the International Alliance website coincide with that of the meeting between French president Jacuqes Chirac and the directors of FAO, IFAD and WFP held a year ago as a follow-up to the joint statement made on 30 Janaury 2004 in Geneva by presidents Chirac, Ricardo Lagos (Chile) and Luis Ignacio Da Silva (Brazil) and UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan regarding the actions needed to combat hunger. This double launching illustrates the close collaboration between the National and International Alliance.
During the Salon, each one of the groups which compose the alliance had the opportunity to organize one or two debates on the stand. All participants expressed their willingness to work together and create a new dynamic to fight against hunger. The twelve debates held helped strengthen the foundations of the alliance while defining each group's expectations and contribution. The event also gave partners the opportunity to engage and establish contacts with other potential partners.
AP: The activities of "Alliés contre la faim" are organized by its members. The Pronatura association is organizing a working group that will develop one or two multi-stakeholder projects to be implemented in Madagascar. Once designed, the project will be submitted to potential donors for financing.
The "Media and Communication" group of the French National Alliance, specifically Afrik.com, has launched a contest among correspondents in Africa. The General Management of Education and Research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development is studying the possible implementation of a programme to create awareness among youth in agricultural high schools.
On the occasion of the next World Food Day (16 October) and in addition to the report issued by the Interministerial Committee for Food and Agriculture, the French Alliance will prepare a report on the progress and actions taken by the different institutions involved in the fight against hunger and poverty. Each member will be able to promote its activities within the national campaign.
Other projects are being planned to be carried out in the future. We would like to prepare a data base with information regarding the main activities carried out by National Alliance members in order to foster exchange of information and cooperation. Some members are interested in studying the systemic approach to development being implemented in other countries. We are also planning to organize a national campaign to create awareness.
How do the various actors of the National Alliance participate?
AP: The French Alliance against hunger should remain as an informal network non-institutionalized. However, the different actors involved are gathered in 10 groups:
- Media and Communication
- Ministries
- Non-governmental organizations involved in the fight against hunger and poverty in the development sector
- Non-governmental organizations involved in the fight against hunger and poverty in the emergency sector
- Organizations representing local authorities: French majors association, cities, departments and region councils.
- Farmers organizations
- Political parties
- Education and research
- Private sector: banks, transformation, distribution and confederations of professionals
- Trade unions
The Alliance is monitored by an Alliance Council which includes a representative from concerned ministries from the Interministerial Committee for Food and Agriculture, a representative from the FAO French Association and four representatives (2 officials and 2 alternates) elected by each one of the 10 groups. The Secretary General of the Interministerial Committee for Food and Agriculture agreed to act as Secretary General of the Council of "Alliés contre la faim". Mr. Charles Millon, French ambassador and permanent representative to FAO is a permanent guest of the meeting of the Council.
JG: Through its council and its 10 groups, "Alliés contre la faim" seeks to involve all actors fighting against hunger and poverty in France and in the whole world.
I believe that "Alliés contre la faim" is an interesting example of a true "alliance" that could motivate and inspire other countries, specially in Europe. We are hoping that the National Alliance will grow quickly here in France within the framework of the International Alliance Against Hunger.
For more information on the the French National Alliance please visit the IAAH website:
www.iaahp.net.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this interview do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security nor of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
