SRD participates CSO consultation and the 31st FAO-Asia Pacific Regional Conference

CSOs from the Asian region gathered in Hanoi, Vietnam on March 10-11, 2012 for the "CSO Meeting: Consolidating Efforts for Effective Engagement on Food and Agriculture Governance" being held in conjunction with the 31st FAO-Asia Pacific Regional Conference. Vietnam Farmers Union (VNFU) hosted the event with the assistance from certain civil society organizations (CSO) in Vietnam. The CSO workshop brought together representatives of farmers, fisher folk, cooperatives, NGOs and other civil society organizations to discuss the priority issues that are affecting the food security of the region. Besides, partners from governments, donor community, international and intergovernmental bodies also attended the workshop.

Representatives of Vietnam and other countries in the opening session

At the workshop, participants talked of the situation of agriculture and food in the region and shared experiences with a view to enhancing mutual understanding, solidarity, friendship and co-operation among the CSOs in South East Asia and South Asia for sustainable development of agriculture. Situation of agriculture and food in Asia and the Pacific region was analyzed to make recommendations and pinpoint proactive and constructive measures to cope with common challenges. The workshop also aimed at facilitating the integration of the Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) in the FAO-CSO regional processes and promoting other innovative CSO mechanisms in the region towards the strengthening of the role and participation of CSOs in the development processes at all levels.

As a member of Drafting Sub-committee of the CSO consultation workshop and one of 12 CSOs in Asia-Pacific to attend the 31^st FAO Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) had significant contribution to the workshop. SRD had a chance to share its community work experience and learn from other counterparts. More importantly, SRD could represent rural people to raise their voice to policy makers at regional and global levels. 

-SRD-