Four Seeds of Sharing




Download full pdf version(745 Kb)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Rome, 2009

ABSTRACT

We all are part of a multicultural milieu, which accounts for its uniqueness, immense potential and impact possibilities. What difference can sharing make in our day-to-day activities, our projects and efforts? Is sharing automatically implied in the multi-lingual flow and dissemination of information products (whether electronic, forum/web site based or hard copy printed materials)? Is technology per se taking full account of everything that is necessary in order to foster the “connecting people” which can be described as a quality inherent in sharing?

This publication, presented at the Knowledge Share Fair held at FAO headquarters on 20-22 January 2009, addresses sharing as an activity rather than an entity, a consciousness of, and reverence for, our world – one which is shared across the Agencies within the framework of their respective mandates. This emerges at a time of culture change for FAO as well as the UN, as advocated by the IEE report and called for by Ban Ki Moon in his speech delivered in Turin at the end of August, 2008: “I made this point last year, and I do so again. In our work together, I want you to cross lines. I want you to consult colleagues beyond the usual sphere, connect throughout our organization.”

What level of sharing awareness can be found at FAO, in its daily operations with and in the field, or at headquarters? Four FAO officers holding responsibility for projects and staff have been asked four questions of a non-technical nature, although delving into their experience in and, knowledge of, multicultural milieus. Four personal approaches will be showcased, as belonging to officers from the Investment Centre Division (with its collaborative projects involving IFAD and the World Bank); from OCD, FAO’s interface between headquarters and the field; not overlooking either the Gender Division or one of FAO’s technical departments: Fisheries.

This proposal has sought to get in touch with the pulse of sharing as stemming from people belonging to different cultures and milieus, as they are working in a multicultural milieu. This variety of ideas and approaches, when adequately sought after and listened to, provides for awareness and scope that should be at the root of how tools and methods are utilised.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part
of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders.