Concern Blog
Concern works in 28 countries around the world. Read updates on what we are doing and on other important events and issues.
An empowering, emotional conclusion
Posted by Naoise Kavanagh in Concern Blog | 20 November 2009 |
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Three long, intensive days of discussion, debate, brainstorming and speeches came to a powerful conclusion on Tuesday.
Heads of states and governments gathered for the World Summit on Food Security in Rome, this week. Running parallel to this was the Civil Society Forum, in which 642 small-scale farmers, fisher people, pastoralists and NGOs participated.
Over half of these participants were women. This forum presented an important space for these different groups to discuss what directly affects them. It was clear it had been an empowering process.
Participants in the Civil Society Forum had come from over 90 countries and represented 450 organisations.They passionately presented their declarations to the entire group.
Food production: who is responsible?
Four caucuses and working groups met throughout the forum, discussing various themes around food and its production. These ranged from: who makes the decisions about food; who controls producing resources; the type of food that is produced and who needs access to food. Incredibly those responsible for over 75% of food production are often unable to participate in decisions that impact on what they do.
The results were compiled into declarations from each group. Recommendations were proposed that would not only improve the situation of those present, but offered real solutions to the global hunger crisis.
Solutions
One of the most powerful messages of the forum was the fact that small scale farmers have solutions. They have the local knowledge. What they lack is the control of food producing resources.
Land access and security are particular concerns, as climate change takes its toll, making land more valuable. These issues take on even more significance, when you are a woman.
Forum declaration
In addition to the declarations produced, each group worked on a summation. Combined, these formed the overall forum declaration. The official forum declaration was presented to the World Summit on Food Security on Wednesday.
The forum came to an emotional and successful end. It is clear, however, that there is much more to be done before the voices of those at the heart of these issues are truly heeded.
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Kenya on the brink: video
Posted by Alan O Reilly in Concern Blog | 19 November 2009 |
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In the Kajiado district in southern Kenya, the rains have not come for the fourth year in a row. Drought, rising food prices and climate change are combining to threaten the lives of the Maasai herders who call Kajiado home. This video tells their story.
Women, society and the summit
It has been an interesting two days at the Civil Society Organisations Forum. This is running parallel to the World Summit on Food Security 2009 in Rome.
Inspiring and frustrating
Olivier de Schutter (UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food), the Mayor of Rome and Jacques Diouf (Director General of the FAO) opened the forum. They helped set the scene, reminding us of the urgent need for everyone to play their part in addressing hunger. It was frustrating to be reminded that instead of working our way to achieving Millennium Development Goal 1 – the number of people going hungry are increasing.
We know that over a billion people are going to bed hungry every night. So it was good to hear how the officials and UN representatives recognise the urgent need for action. At the same time, it was frustrating not to hear more about practical measures and to ensure that the third World Summit on Food Security is not just another talking shop.
Settling into Cambodia
Posted by Stewart Gee in Concern Blog | 10 November 2009 |
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After a long break, and a brief sojourn into the world of greenhouse sales, I feel I am finally back where I belong, working for Concern.
Back in June, I packed my bags for a two year stint as Programme Support Officer in Cambodia. Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, is a really thriving city and it was not at all difficult to settle in.
This really is a wonderful country full of wonderful people. It’s easy to see why it has become so popular with the backpacker crowd.
Climate change and Tanzania
Posted by Isla Gilmore in Concern Blog | 5 November 2009 |
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Unless you’re a devoted environmentalist it can be confusing keeping up with all the forums, summits and conferences dedicated to the reduction of climate change.
This time it’s the COP15 UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December and it’s all over the news. Gordon Brown is warning “there are now fewer than 50 days to set the course of the next 50 years and more”’ and that there is “no plan B.”
Ahead of the conference, Tanzanian President Kikwete recently called on the richest nations to spearhead efforts to save the planet. In Tanzania, 40 million people rely on the weather for their agricultural livelihoods.
Melting ice cap
I experienced this firsthand on New Year’s Day this year. My friend Poppy and I reached the summit of Kilimanjaro after a brutal night of climbing and feeling sick. It was -20 Celsius, the water in our backpacks froze solid, but there was very little ice at the top. For 11,000 years the famous white cap covered the roof of Africa’s largest mountain, but in the past century it has shrunk by 88%. It’s nearly gone.
At the Coalface of Climate Change
Recently I was privileged to spend a few days in the company of a remarkable man. I first met Kenny Matampash in Kenya in May. A member of the pastoralist Maasai people, he runs a local NGO – Neighbours Initiative Alliance – that provides support to his fellow Maasai.
Unchecked modernisation
Kenny and his people are at the coalface of climate change. “When I was growing up, we had a drought about once every ten years, then it went to every five and now we have not seen proper rains for four years. We have lost about 80% of our cattle, our only livelihood. I know it is a strong word but I believe unchecked modernisation for us will mean genocide.”
Telling the story
Kenny happened to be visiting France so I leapt at the opportunity to invite him to Ireland. Desperately trying to draw attention to the increasing crisis across East Africa, I knew Kenny could tell his people’s story better than I ever could.
And he did, on television, on radio, in schools and at a small seminar on climate change.
Changing attitudes in rural Tanzania
I meet a woman in one of the poorest villages in Tanzania. Her name is Fatuma Ismail. She is the same age as me, 30, and has five children. She is a widow with nobody to turn to for support.
She asks if I have children. And on hearing I don’t, she says “pole sana” – she feels sorry for me. “But you have been educated; you have your own plans, your own life to live. For us, our only job is to have children and to survive.”
A lifetime of poverty
There are few options for women like Fatuma. She didn’t go to school, she can’t read or write. She’s a small-scale farmer like most of the population of Tanzania. She lives in a rural village in Mtwara, where culture and tradition act together leaving women with few rights. Here, the status quo works against poor farmers, ensuring they earn next to nothing.
Aid workers released
Posted by Naoise Kavanagh in Concern Blog | 19 October 2009 |
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Yesterday, GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki were released, having been kidnapped and held captive for 107 days. Sharon Commins is to return home to Ireland today.
“Irish people can be proud of the work they and all who work for Irish NGOs, carry out overseas,” says Concern’s Overseas Director, Paul O’Brien.
“We are delighted that the diplomatic efforts to secure the safe release of Hilda and Sharon have been successful,” said Concern’s Overseas Director, Paul O’Brien. “Aid workers are on the frontline every day and Irish people can be justifiably proud of the work they and all who work for Irish NGOs, carry out overseas.”
World Humanitarian Day
This year the UN General Assembly designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day. The intention being to increase awareness of humanitarian activities while recognising the difficulties workers face.
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