Ms. Musamba Mubanga
Caritas Internationalis is confederation of over 160 members who are working at the grassroots in almost every country of the world in the 7 regions. When a crisis hits, Caritas is already on the ground. The diverse members give us our strength – from small groups of volunteers to some of the biggest global charities. Inspired by Catholic faith, Caritas is the helping hand of the Church – reaching out to the poor, vulnerable and excluded, regardless of race or religion, to build a world based on justice and fraternal love.
Caritas Internationalis has its headquarters in Rome – coordinating emergency operations, formulating development policy and advocating for a better world for everyone. All national Caritas organizations are members of their own regional Caritas networks and the international confederation.
Currently working on Food Security and Climate Change.
Ms. Musamba Mubanga
Caritas Internationalis welcomes the consultations on how can FAO and civil society organizations engage better.
Caritas Internationalis is a global confederation of 162 National Caritas member organizations and 7 Caritas Regional Offices that respond to humanitarian emergencies and promote integral human development and integral ecology, with special concern for the effects of climate change on the poor and its implications for the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights. Caritas Internationalis has its headquarters in Rome and two delegations to the United Nations in Geneva and New York.
This submission includes inputs from the following regions Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
What and how can CSOs contribute to such transformation to boost impact on the ground? Please suggest concrete actions.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a vital role in accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. Their grassroots presence, community engagement, and advocacy efforts can significantly boost impact on the ground. Some of the concrete actions that CSOs can take to contribute to this transformation include:
What FAO and CSOs could maximize collective impact to adapt and/or mitigate climate change?
Example: Caritas Internationalis and FAO Collaboration on the “Caritas One Human Family, Food for All campaign”, 2013-2015
Key Elements of Successful Engagement:
Why it worked: Caritas and FAO shared a common vision of improving food security and livelihoods. Their aligned objectives created a strong foundation for collaboration, ensuring that their efforts were mutually reinforcing.
Why it worked: Caritas brought expertise in community development, social empowerment, and advocacy, while FAO contributed technical knowledge related to agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and policy development. The combination of these skills enhanced the overall impact of the collaboration.
Why it worked: Caritas and FAO collaborated on advocacy and campaigning, engaging with local governments and international stakeholders. By amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, they contributed to the creation an enabling environment for sustainable development.
In summary, the success of this partnership stemmed from a shared vision, complementary expertise, community-centered approaches, advocacy efforts, and adaptability. These elements can serve as a model for meaningful engagement between CSOs and FAO, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability in achieving impactful outcomes.
At present, what are the most significant challenges CSOs face in their engagement with FAO? What could FAO do to address some of those challenges? Please provide concrete examples.
FAO can promote inclusivity by actively seeking input from a diverse range of CSOs, including those from marginalized communities. Establishing regular consultations, town hall meetings, and online platforms can facilitate broader participation.
FAO can promote equality in partnerships by actively seeking out and supporting smaller CSOs. Encouraging partnerships at the local level and recognizing the unique perspectives and strengths of different CSOs can foster collaborations that are more balanced.