World Food Day Commemorations 2021 - Check out for FAO Geneva and Partners Activities in Switzerland
World Food Day Commemorations 2021
FAO Geneva and Partners Activities in Switzerland
World Food Day 2021 will mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The theme of the World Food Day 2021 is “Our actions are our future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Celebrations will take place throughout the week.
World Food Day (WFD) 2021 is being marked for the second time whilst countries around the world are dealing with the widespread effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic. From the disruption of agri-food systems and a global economic recession, to an increase in food insecurity and inequality, the pandemic has exposed the fragility of our societies, but it has also shown how people can come together towards a common goal. As a global community, we can overcome these challenging times and create a better future – one that is more sustainable for present and future generations.
This year World Food Day is calling for action for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all. The way we produce, consume and sadly waste food is exerting a heavy toll on our planet, putting unnecessary pressure on natural resources, the environment and climate. Food production too often degrades or destroys natural habitats and contributes to the extinction of species. Such inefficiency is costing us trillions of dollars, but more importantly, today’s agri-food systems are exposing profound inequalities and injustices in our global society. Three billion people cannot afford healthy diets, while overweight and obesity continues to increase worldwide.
FAO Geneva and Partners are organizing a series of activities to commemorate the day during the entire week and celebrate WFD2021 with the programme as presented below:
World Food Day 2021 commemoration activities in Switzerland
World Food Day Gare Cornavin Exhibition
Friday, 15 October – Saturday, 16 October 2021
(10:00 to 18:00)
Central hall, Cornavin station
Organized by FAO, the Federal Office for Agriculture of Switzerland (OFAG/FOAG) , Partage Foundation (Geneva’s food bank) and Ville de Genève/ MA-Terre, the World Food Day 2021 exhibition stand at Geneva central station (Gare Cornavin) will raise awareness of the need for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems and call for action across sectors to contribute to the transformation that is needed to ensure these systems deliver enough affordable, nutritious and safe food for all.
World Food Day Digital Advertising Campaign
Monday, 11 October – Saturday, 16 October 2021
(All Day on 16 October)
Main train stations of Switzerland
Organized by FAO and the Federal Office for Agriculture of Switzerland (OFAG/FOAG) A digital advertising campaign will promote the WFD2021 message in e-board panels throughout in Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Zurich, Bern and Bellinzona)
World Food Day 2021 Virtual Event
“Celebrating efforts to strengthen local food systems for displaced and host communities”
Friday 15 October 2021
(11:00 to 12:30)
FAO, UNHCR and WFP in Geneva will hold a virtual event to celebrate World Food Day 2021. The event will provide the opportunity to highlight ways in which forcibly displaced populations are engaging in local food systems around the world to build their resilience. Building on the momentum of the UN Food Systems Summit held during the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September 2021, this event will bring together frontline stakeholders and donors. Through showcasing examples from a range of contexts, the event will spotlight how the inclusion of forcibly displaced people into local food systems can contribute to greater food security and socio-economic prosperity for them and their host community.
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, South Sudan and Uganda.
Register here: https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x2Ykgd3xR9mu0GWLJMakhA
Displaced people and host communities contribution to local food systems
Friday 15 October 2021
(Lunch time)
FAO, UNHCR and WFP in Geneva are teaming up with Cuisine Lab and Mater Fondazione to prepare and distribute lunch boxes to vulnerable people in Geneva, including refugees.
Prepared by refugee chefs from Cuisine Lab, this initiative will showcase the rich socio-economic and cultural contribution forcibly displaced people make to our food systems in Geneva, and how inclusion can facilitate socio-economic, food security and cultural benefits for both displaced and host populations. Lunch boxes will be distributed by Mater Fondazione with support from the following associations: Bateau Genève, Salvation Army, Première Ligne and Caravane sans Frontières.
UNOG Cafeteria partnership with Eldora
Wednesday, 13 October – Saturday, 16 October 2021
(Lunch Time)
Building upon our partnership with Eldora in previous years, the cafeteria of UNOG will join the commemorations of the World Food Day 2021. Eldora will highlight products from the agri-food system: cereals, milk and potatoes. Eldora will also have the "hero" of the day, put in evidence a "hero" per product (cereals, milk, potatoes), presented in the digital advertising. A special menu will be promoted for each day in the period from October 13 to 15.
Geneva Jet d'Eau embraces the World Food Day 2021 commemorations
Illumination of Geneva's famous fountain in Bue
The week-long events to mark the World Food Day will be concluded with the illumination of the Jet d’eau, the symbol of the city of Geneva, in blue in the evening of 16 October from 18:30 until 22:30. You are kindly invited to enjoy a beautiful view of an open-air exhibition at the heart of Geneva, organized in partnership with the Services Industriels de Genève (SIG). Geneva Jet d'Eau at the lake Leman.
Check also the calendar of events for the World Food Day 2021 Global Launch celebrations in Rome and side events here.