Links and Further Information
UN and Global Organisations
IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural DevelopmentThree quarters of the world's 1.1 billion extremely poor people live in rural areas. Most depend on agriculture to survive. They are landless people, farmers whose plots are too small to provide for their needs, nomadic pastoralists, artisanal fishers and indigenous peoples. They lack access to the land, water, agricultural technologies, financial resources and markets they need to farm productively. Above all, they lack the organizational power and influence required to advocate for their own needs and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in developing countries. It works with poor rural women and men and their organizations, and other partners to develop solutions that enable poor rural people to overcome poverty themselves. It works through developing country governments, following their lead to design programmes and projects that fit within national systems and respond to the needs, priorities and constraints identified by rural poor people themselves.
At the end of 2006, IFAD was financing 185 ongoing programmes and projects in 83 countries and territories around the world.
IFAP
International Federation of Agricultural ProducersIFAP was established in 1946 to secure the fullest cooperation between organisations of agricultural producers in meeting the food needs of the peoples of the world and to improve the economic and social status of all who live by and on the land. IFAP is the world farmers organisation representing over 600 million farm families grouped in 115 national organisations in 80 countries. It is a global network in which farmers from industrialised and developing countries exchange concerns and set common priorities. IFAP advocates farmers interests at the international level since 1946 and has General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United NationsThe Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since our founding in 1945, we have focused special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people.
UNEP
United Nations Environment ProgramProvides leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
World Bank
The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. www.worldbank.org
WTO
World Trade OrganisationThe World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world's trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.
NGOs Non Government Organisations
IATP
Institute for Agriculture and Trade PolicyThe Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy was created in 1986 in response to the threat to rural life in the US, but it has a global perspective. Its mission is to promote resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.
Action Aid International
Founded in 1972, Action Aid is a charity with a simple aim: to change “the relationship between rich donor countries and those in the developing world.
ACDI Agricultural CO-Operative Development International
VOCA Volunteers in Overseas Co-Operative Assistance
Promotes broad-based economic growth and the development of civil society in emerging democracies and developing countries.
Asia Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia
Asia DHRRA is a regional partnership of eleven (11) social development networks and organizations in ten (10) Asian nations that envisions Asian rural communities that are just, free, prosperous, living in peace and working in solidarity towards self-reliance.
CGIAR
Consultative Group for International Agricultural ResearchAims to achieve sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research related activities in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, policy and the environment.
Christian Aid
An agency of churches in the UK and Ireland working wherever the need is greatest irrespective of religion or race.COPROFAM
CO-ordination of Family Farms of MercosurFarm
Campaigning group fighting for a sustainable future for farming in the UK.
FARM-Africa
FARM-Africa is aims to reduce poverty in eastern and South Africa. We work in partnership with marginal farmers and herders, helping them to manage their natural resources more effectively and build sustainable livelihoods on their land.
GRAIN
Promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge.
IFAP
International Federation of Agricultural ProducersWorld farmers organisation representing over 600m farm families grouped in 115 national organisations in 80 countries.
Land Research Action Network
News, analysis and research on land reform and agrarian change around the world.NEPAD
The New Partnership for Africa's DevelopmentAddresses the current challenges facing the African continent, a vision and strategic framework for Africa's renewal.
Oxfam International
Oxfam International is a confederation of 13 organizations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice. With many of the causes of poverty global in nature, the 13 affiliate members of Oxfam International believe they can achieve greater impact through their collective efforts. Oxfam International seeks increased worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development. They strive to be a global campaigning force promoting the awareness and motivation that comes with global citizenship while seeking to shift public opinion in order to make equity the same priority as economic growth.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Helps advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program.
Third World Network
Network of organisations and individuals involved in issues relating to development, the third world and North-South issues.
Trade Justice Movement
Campaign for trade justice - not free tarde - with the rules weighted to benefit poor people and the environment.
Trade Unions Trade Associations/Movements
AFA
Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable RuralThe Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable Rural Development or AFA is a regional alliance of farmer federations and organizations in ten Asian countries, representing 10 million farmers. Established in May 2002, our formation was a fruit of a three-year, five Farmers' Exchange Visits organized by our strategic NGO partner, Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (Asia DHRRA).
NDDB
National Dairy Development Board, IndiaPromotes, finances and supports producer-owned and controlled organisations.
NFU
National Farmers UnionRepresents the farmers and growers of England and Wales whose central objective is to promote successful and socially responsible agriculture and horticulture whilst ensuring the long term viability of rural communities.
Soybean Producers of America
A membership driven grass roots policy organisation that represents US soybean farmers.
Union de Granaderos y Agricultores Vascos
Union of Small Agriculturists and Cattle DealersA professional organisation who represents and defends agricultural and cattle professionals in Spain.
Via Campesina
Via Campesina is an international movement which coordinates peasant organizations of small and medium sized producers, agricultural workers, rural women, and indigenous communities from Asia, America, and Europe. It is an autonomous, pluralistic movement, independent from all political, economic, or other denomination.
WFF
World Forum of Fish Harvesters and FishworkersThink Tanks and Research Organisations
Centre for Global Food Issues
Conducts research and analysis of agriculture and the environmental concerns surrounding food and fibre production.
Earth Institute - Columbia University
The Earth Institute at Columbia University brings together talent from throughout the University to address complex issues facing the planet and its inhabitants, with particular focus on sustainable development and the needs of the world's poor. The Earth Institute is motivated by the belief that science and technological tools already exist, and could be expanded, to greatly improve conditions for the world's poor while preserving the natural systems that support life on Earth. Under the direction of international economist Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, the Earth Institute supports pioneering projects in the biological, engineering, social, and health sciences, while actively encouraging interdisciplinary projects - often combining natural and social sciences - in pursuit of solutions to real world problems.
www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/mvp
Food First – Institute for Food and Development Policy
Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy was founded in 1975 by Frances Moore Lappe and Joseph Collins. It carries out research on the root causes of hunger and publishes a wide range of materials used by activists, professors, the media and our members.
Oakland Institute - USA
Mission is to increase public participation and promote fair debate on critical social, economic and environmental issues in both national and international forums.
ODI
Overseas development InstituteBritain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues.
ROPPA
Reseaux des Organisations Paysannes et Producteurs Agricoles de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
Foundations
Rockefeller Foundation
Promotes the well being of humanity focusing on addressing the root causes of serious problems around the world.