Update from the World Food Programme

This weekend in Chicago I have been representing the World Food Programme at the American Model United Nations. This is my second time representing Columbia College at the American Model UN here in Chicago. My first trip was in 2007 with the very first delegation from CC that represented Somalia. My previous knowledge of African issues from the last AMUN was very helpful since CC was again representing and African Union nation, Niger. However, my experience in committee was very different. The World Food Programme is a special commission that deals with the procurement and distribution of food aid to nations in emergency situations. The primary task of the WFP at the conference is to discuss the special issues at hand and create a report to submit the General Assembly. Unlike other General Assembly committees our primary goal is not to draft resolutions, though they may be added as supplements to our reports. The body of the WFP discusses the issues and writes a report containing the opinions and findings of all member states. The two issues up for discussion for the WFP this year at conference were food procurement in developing nations and humanitarian access and its implications.
On the issue of food procurement the body came to adopt a report by consensus that contained some major points agreed upon by all member states as important issues. The body wrote that sustainability in food procurement is the most important issue for developing nations. The expansion of the Purchase for Progress program that encourages small and large farmers in developing nations to grow food that is then bought by the WFP at fair prices to provide to other nations in emergencies is an excellent program for promoting sustainable food systems and the growth of local agriculture. This also included clauses that detailed the importance of training for farmers on efficient, green agriculture techniques. Another large topic was that of the need to address climate change and environmental sustainability as a foundation for long term food procurement. Without an arable, clean environment with which to rely developing nations will not be able to sustain any agricultural growth whether or not there are special programs in the nation.
Out second issue discussed humanitarian access. Within this issue the body singled out 4 major topics of infrastructure, security, timeliness, and sovereignty. Security of humanitarian workers and the food aid itself was an important issue for nearly all developing nations, especially Niger since the nation faces a great deal of instability and conflict at this time.
To be continued.....
there is a lot more to be described
Marisol Slater