Three Civil Society representatives are presenting the Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) to mediate their participation as participants in the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS).
I have outlined the mechanism in a post available here.
Summary of issues addressed in the discussion tonight:
- We are interested in coordinated policies to fight hunger.
- Will take into consideration the comments raised but remain committed to autonomy and self organisation.
- The mechanism has to take into account how civil society organises itself around the world.
- Many groups organise around livelihoods but the other reality is that other CSO are arranged in a geographic way.
- The size of the coordination committee is always a balance between inclusivity and efficiency.
- The role of the CC meeting is one of FACILITATION and NOT REPRESENTATION. Therefore we need strong people who can work across constituencies and regions.
- Dispersement and accountability of funds: CSOs will provide mechanisms for how they will remain accountable financially.
- Feedback and evaluation will be undertaken on an ongoing basis.
- Priority is given to organisations of the people who are most impacted by food insecurity.
- We recognise that governments make decisions and it is our job to engage in the discussion and support decision making.
- We are committed to the CFS process.
- The process is open to all CSOs and is accepting to CSOs interested in participating.
Since this is a mechanism that is autonomous and based on the notions of self-organisation, the following action was proposed by the CFS Secretariat.
“The committee acknowledges the proposed Civil Society Mechanism.”
De Luna just called for the development of a Trust Fund to support the CFS and mentioned Norway’s call to support the Mechanism.
On to the next item of the agenda. It´s 21:30. We are tired.
Food Governance 
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