Written by: Joshua Zuckerman, AMARC International
For the second time in twenty-two years, an International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) is being held from November 19 to 21st 2014 in Rome, Italy, to address the world’s nutrition problem in the 21st century.
In preparation for the Conference, the Office for Corporate Communication of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has partnered with the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) to demonstrate the role that community radio can take to help improve public education on food, nutrition and agriculture, facilitate access to best management practices and encourage sharing of scientific knowledge related to these issues.
Easy access to communication about healthy eating habits, sufficient nutrition and the development of family farming and sustainable agriculture must not be overlooked as a mean to facilitate the battle against world hunger. The regions most severely affected by malnutrition often rely on community radio as the most efficient way to reach as many people as possible.
The audio pieces produced in this partnership show the different ways we talk about nutrition, food and agriculture in our communities. Out of the 36 pieces submitted for this campaign, here are a few examples:
- In South Africa, a producer from KC 107.7 FM focuses on women’s role in ensuring food security.
- In Spain, the host of Radio Vallekas explores the impact of the financial crisis of 2008 on child malnutrition.
- In Québec, helped by the host of Montréal par la racine, we discover an ancient farm in the middle of a city.
- In Iraq, an agricultural engineer invited par Dange New radio provides guidance to farmers and peasants.
- In Argentina, the host of Radio Eter discusses the right to a good nutrition.
- In India, radio GKA hosts a live phone-in segment with a doctor to answer questions about the nutritional needs of pregnant women.
To discover all the audio pieces, listen and share, please click on this link.