Together to honour the mountains of the world
11.12.2015
The 11 of December is a special day of observance for mountains. As homes, sources of essential goods, foundations of livelihoods and cultural heritage, the value of mountains is immeasurable. This year on International Mountain Day (IMD) they are being celebrated for the various products and services that are derived from their soils and springs.
The theme of this year’s International Mountain Day celebration, “Promoting mountain products for better livelihoods,” puts high-value mountain products and services in the spotlight, promoting the significant opportunities they can provide for sustainable employment and income generation in mountains.
Over generations, small-scale mountain farmers have diversified their economic activities in pursuit of more stable incomes. The harsh climates, difficult terrains and isolated locations of many mountainous regions have posed challenges. Yet, agricultural and artisan enterprises offer specialized products and services.
Meanwhile, worldwide demand for quality, high-value and traditional foods and crafts produced in mountain areas - coffee, cheese, herbs and spices as well as handicrafts and medicines - is on the rise. Small-scale mountain agriculture has the potential to tap into niche markets, such as organic, fair trade or high-end quality markets, and fetch premium prices.
Today the Mountain Partnership Secretariat launched the study “Mapping the vulnerability of mountain peoples to food insecurity” during its IMD celebration at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. The publication provides updated data about hunger in mountains. The study shows that mountain dwellers’ living conditions have continued to deteriorate in the last decade and that urgent policy measures are needed to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.
The IMD celebration at FAO will continue with the opening of the exhibition “Bolivia. Places of Music”, featuring works by Canadian photographer Craig Richards. Speakers will include the Permanent Representatives to FAO of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Italy and Switzerland; an official of the Ministry of Environment of Italy and the director of the Museo Nazionale della Montagna. The event will include a performance by the Italian Alpine Club choir and readings of mountain literature in Alpine minority languages.
The exhibition, co-sponsored by FAO and co-organized with the Museo Nazionale Montagna and the Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in Rome will be on display at FAO until 18 December 2015.
Meanwhile, International Mountain Day celebrations are taking place across the world with sporting events, competitions, art exhibits, concerts, seminars and conferences, highlighting why mountains matter to us all. Mountain lovers observe IMD with sporting events, mountain product fairs, competitions, seminars, conferences and film festivals in Algeria, Bolivia, Chile, Croatia, India, Iran Morocco, Nepal, Spain and several other countries.
In 2003, the United Nations General Assembly designated 11 December a day dedicated to mountains. IMD is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world’s mountains and highlands.
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