16 October: World Food Day
Every year 16 October is being observed as World Food Day (WFD).
Significance of Day: It aims to raise public awareness about hunger challenges and encourage people around the world to take action in the fight against hunger.
It is widely celebrated globally by many organisations concerned with food security including International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP).
Theme of 2015: ‘Social Protection and Agriculture’.
The theme seeks to underline the role of social protection in reducing chronic food insecurity and poverty. In this case social protection is viable alternative for stimulating agricultural production and local economic activity. It also seeks to ensure direct access to food or the means to buy food.
Background
- World Food Day commemorates the date of establishment of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945.
- It was established in November 1979 by FAO’s Member Countries at the 20th General Conference of FAO to raise awareness of the issues behind poverty and hunger
- For the first time it was celebrated on 16 October 1981 and the idea of celebrating the WFD worldwide was mooted by Hungarian Delegation to FAO.
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Month: Current Affairs - October, 2015