b. The 1996 World Food Summit: a turning point
The 90's served a true turning point as food security was
acknowledged to be a major concern that involved stakeholders of all levels
from individuals to international organizations. The concept was further
broadened and perfected to include dimensions such as food preference (FAO
2003).
i. The 1996 World Food Summit
Held in Rome under the auspices of the FAO, it resulted in
the adoption of the Rome Declaration and the Plan of Action. During the summit,
participants shaped a more comprehensive definition that is to this day used as
«the» definition of food security. The reference definition reads as
follow:
«Food security, at the individual, household,
national, regional and global levels [is
achieved] when all people, at all
times, have physical and economic access to sufficient,
safe and nutritious
food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active
and
healthy life». (FAO 1996)
One of the summit's most memorable aim was to decrease the
number of people suffering from undernourishment by two by 2015. To achieve the
proclaimed goals, the Plan of Action was established and served as a guideline
for the international community and national governments (FAO 2003).
ii. The Millennium Summit
The Millennium Summit held this time at the United Nations
headquarters in New-York symbolizes the most historical step made towards the
improvement of the human condition.
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World leaders adopted at the end of the summit the United
Nations Millennium Declaration (UNMD), from which derives 8 goals, 21
targets and 60 measurements indicators (UN 2000) (UNDP 2011). Even though it
symbolizes a historical commitment, the UNMD was flawed in many regards. The
said flaws include but are not restricted to: the absence of food security,
which was never specifically mentioned even if goal n°1 tackles extreme
poverty and hunger and could be interpreted as implied. Secondly, the MDG's
failed to involve the people most concerned by the issues being tackled. The
civil society wasn't consulted or involved at any point during the
negotiations. Also, inequalities within countries were not taken into account
and therefore automatically weakening the successful outcome of the MDG's.
iii. The 2010 United Nations Conference «Keeping the
Promise: United to
Achieve the Millennium Development
Goals»
A decade after the Millennium Summit and the introduction of
the MDGs, a summit was held to evaluate the advancement of the MDG's. World
leaders adopted a plan of action to accelerate the implementation of the MDG's
and introduced new commitments concerning women empowerment27 and
poverty and hunger.
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