To His Excellency
Monsieur Jacques Diouf
Director General of the
Food and Agricultural Organization
The theme chosen this year for World Food Day, "World food security: The challenges of climate change and bio-energies", allows a refleciton on what has been realized in the battle agrainst hunger and the obstacles to the activities of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Oganization (FAO) in the face of new challenges that threaten the human family.
This Day is observed at a particularly difficult time for the world nutritional situation, when the availability of food seems insufficient with regard to its consumption, and when climateic conditions contribute to endanger the survival of millions of men, women and children, who are forced to abandon their homelands in search of something to eat.
These circumstances imply that together with FAO, everyone should reply in terms of solidarity, in acts that are free of all conditioning and truly at the service of the common good.
Last June, a high-level conference was the occasion for FAO to remind the international community of its direct responsibilities in the face of food insecurity at a time when the forms of basic aid for emergency situations risk becoming sverely limited.
In the message that I address to the participants then, I had referred to the necessity to adopt "courageous measures, which will not capitulate in the face of hunger and malnutrition as though these were simply endemic phenomena without solutions" (Mesage to the High-Level Conference on World Food Securitym June 2, 2008).
The first commitment is to eliminate the reasons with prevent an authentic respect for the dignity of the human being. The means and the resources that the world has at its disposal today can procure enough food to satisfy the growing need of everyone.
The first results of efforts to increase the global levels of food production in view of the shortfalls registered in recent harvests show this is so. Then, why is it not possible to avoid that so many people suffer from hunger with the most extreme consequences?
The reasons for this situation where abundance and scarcity often co-exist are numerous. One can mention the race in consumption which has not stopped despite decreased availability of food products which imposes fored reductions in the nutritional capabilities of the poorest regions on the planet; or the lack of a resolute will to conclude negotiations and rein in the selfishness of states and groups of nations; or to put an end to this 'frenzied speculation' which affects the mechanisms of price and consumption.
The absence of a correct administration of food resources caused by corruption in public life or growing ivnestment in armes and sophisticated military techonologies to the detriment of the prinary needs of man also plays a large role.
These very different reasons have their origin in a false sense of values on which international relations must be based, particularly this widespread attide in contemporary culture which favors only the race for material goods, foregetting the true nature of the human being and his most profound aspirations.
The result is, unfortunately, the inability of many to take charge of the needs of the poor and to understand them, thus denying their inalienable dignity.
An effective cmapaign against hunger reqauires much more than a simple scientific study to face climate change or to give priority to agricultural production of food products.
It is necessary, above all, to rediscover a sense of the human person, in his individual and communitarian dimensions, beginning with the establishment of family life, the source of love and affection which gives rise to a sense of solidairty and sharing.
This framework responds to the need to construct relations among peoples bases on constant and authentic availability, to make its counjtry capable of satisfying the needs of those who are in need, but also to trasnmit the idea of relations based on reciprocal knowledge, shared values, rapid assistance and respect.
This involves a commitment towards the promotion of a social jsutice that is effective in relationships among peoples, which asks of each one to be aware that the assets of Creation are destined for everyone, and that in the world community, economic life should be oriented to sharing such assets, to their long usesage and the just redistribution of the benefits that derive from them.
In the changing context of international relations, where unvertainties seem to grow and one sees new challenges emerging, the experience acquried by FAO up to now - with that of other institutions involved in teh battle against hunger - can play a fundamental role to promote a new ay of undertsanding itenrational cooperation.
An essential condition for imcreasing production levels, to guarantee the identity of indigenous communities, as well as peace and security in the world, is to guarantee access to the land, favoring agricultural laborers and promoting their rights.
In all these foorts, the Catholic Church is near you, as witness the attention with which the Holy See has followed the ctivities of teh FAAO since 1948, constantly supporting your efforts, so that you may continue your commitment for the cause of man.
This concretely means opening to life, respect for the order of Creation, and adherecen to ethical principles which have always been the basis for social life.
With these wishes, I invoke the blessing of the Most High on you, Mr. Director-General, and all the representatives of nations, so that you may work with generosity and a sense of justice towards the persons who are abandoned.
From the Vatican
October 13, 2008
