Achieving zero hunger

FAO holds conference in Rome to promote social business

FAO organised a special event on ‘Social Business for Zero Hunger’ to bring together the top executives of food industry to discuss the role social business can play to achieve zero hunger, says a press release.
The event which was held on Tuesday was addressed by Director General of FAO Jose Graziano who highlighted the role of social business in achieving zero hunger.
Professor Yunus was present as the chief guest.
While delivering the keynote speech, Professor Yunus pointed out food security was going to be a major challenge in the coming years.
“Not only providing food everybody will be the issue, it is also important to ensure nutrition for all. We need to find ways to encourage the rural young people to turn themselves into entrepreneurs through social businesses in collaboration with food companies,” he said.
Exodus of young people can slowed down and stopped ultimately by making rural economy an agro-based economy through intervention of social business, he added.
Agriculture minister of Italy Maurizio Martina, Vice President of Italian Parliament Maria sereni, and President of the Italian Farmers Confederation Dino Scanavino addressed the gathering and talked about the role of social business in ending hunger on a global level. The opening session was followed by high level panel discussions on social business.
The first panel was on the role of food industry to reach zero hunger through social business and included the President of leading Italian food company Ferrero, CEO of McCain Europe, Senior Advisor of Mars Company,  Professor Yunus, and moderated by Marcela Villarealz, Director of  Partnerships at FAO.
Second panel was on the role to be played by banks in furthering social business to achieve zero hunger. Top executives of MasterCard, Rabobank of Netherlands, Grameen Credit Agricole and other European banks spoke in the panel. Professor Yunus gave examples of companies already involved in social business to tackle hunger and malnutrition.

Achieving zero hunger

FAO holds conference in Rome to promote social business

FAO organised a special event on Social Business for Zero Hunger to bring together the top executives of food industry to discuss the role social business can play to achieve zero hunger, says a press release. The event which was held on Tuesday was addressed by Director General of FAO Jose Graziano who highlighted the role of social business in achieving zero hunger. Professor Yunus was present as the chief guest. While delivering the keynote speech, Professor Yunus pointed out food security was going to be a major challenge in the coming years. Not only providing food everybody will be the issue, it is also important to ensure nutrition for all. We need to find ways to encourage the rural young people to turn themselves into entrepreneurs through social businesses in collaboration with food companies, he said. Exodus of young people can slowed down and stopped ultimately by making rural economy an agro-based economy through intervention of social business, he added. Agriculture minister of Italy Maurizio Martina, Vice President of Italian Parliament Maria sereni, and President of the Italian Farmers Confederation Dino Scanavino addressed the gathering and talked about the role of social business in ending hunger on a global level. The opening session was followed by high level panel discussions on social business. The first panel was on the role of food industry to reach zero hunger through social business and included the President of leading Italian food company Ferrero, CEO of McCain Europe, Senior Advisor of Mars Company, Professor Yunus, and moderated by Marcela Villarealz, Director of Partnerships at FAO. Second panel was on the role to be played by banks in furthering social business to achieve zero hunger. Top executives of MasterCard, Rabobank of Netherlands, Grameen Credit Agricole and other European banks spoke in the panel. Professor Yunus gave examples of companies already involved in social business to tackle hunger and malnutrition.