FAO's Origins

MAC/WFY

Page-9

0230_553559_05_cha01

FAO's Origins

and requirements; expansion of production and adaptation to consumer needs;
and facilitation and improvement of distribution. They advocated the use of inter-
national commodity arrangements as a means for promoting stability and orderly
development. It was also recommended that `adequate reserves should be main-
tained to meet all consumption needs' and that `provision should be made, when
applicable, for the orderly disposal of surpluses'. The report of the conference
distinguished three types of `functional disorders' in international commodity
distribution: short-term fluctuations in prices; disorders concomitant of general
cyclical depressions; and disorders that were structural modifications in relations
between existing productive capacity and the need of society for certain commod-
ities or groups of commodities. The conference unanimous agreed that `the world
after the war should follow a bold policy of economic expansion instead of the
timid regime of scarcity which characterized the 1930s'. Different views were
expressed on the nature of international commodity regulations. Some delegates
envisaged future arrangements chiefly for the establishment and operation of
buffer stocks. But it was not possible to reach agreement concerning the part to be
allotted to quantitative regulation for both short-term fluctuations and long-term
disequilibrium. In a resolution summing up the conclusions of the conference,
it was recommended that international commodity arrangements should be so
designed as to promote `the expansion of an orderly world economy'. A `body of
broad principles' should be agreed upon, which should include fair prices for both
consumers and producers.

At the first session of the FAO Conference, held in Quebec City, Canada from

16 October to 1 November 1945, attended by representatives of 44 countries,
FAO's constitution was approved by which member nations `being determined to
promote the common welfare' pledged `to work separately and collectively' for
the purposes of FAO, which were defined as

· raising levels of nutrition and standards of living of the peoples under their

respective jurisdictions;

· securing improvements in the efficiency of the production and distribution of

all food and agricultural products;

· bettering the condition of rural populations; and thus
· contributing toward an expanding world economy [and ensuring humanity's

freedom from hunger] (FAO, 1945).

The constitution also set out, clearly and explicitly, the functions of FAO:

· The organization was to `collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate' informa-

tion relating to `nutrition, food and agriculture'.

· It was to `promote and, where appropriate, recommend national and interna-

tional action' concerning:

(a) scientific, technological, social, and economic research relating to nutrition,

food and agriculture;

Home

eBook	World Food Security: A History since 1945


Useful links	FAO's Origins MAC/WFY Page-9 0230_553559_05_cha01 FAO's Origins 9 and requirements; expansion of production and adaptation to consumer needs; and facilitation and improvement of distribution. They advocated the use of inter- national commodity arrangements as a means for promoting stability and orderly development. It was also recommended that `adequate reserves should be main- tained to meet all consumption needs' and that `provision should be made, when applicable, for the orderly disposal of surpluses'. The report of the conference distinguished three types of `functional disorders' in international commodity distribution: short-term fluctuations in prices; disorders concomitant of general cyclical depressions; and disorders that were structural modifications in relations between existing productive capacity and the need of society for certain commod- ities or groups of commodities. The conference unanimous agreed that `the world after the war should follow a bold policy of economic expansion instead of the timid regime of scarcity which characterized the 1930s'. Different views were expressed on the nature of international commodity regulations. Some delegates envisaged future arrangements chiefly for the establishment and operation of buffer stocks. But it was not possible to reach agreement concerning the part to be allotted to quantitative regulation for both short-term fluctuations and long-term disequilibrium. In a resolution summing up the conclusions of the conference, it was recommended that international commodity arrangements should be so designed as to promote `the expansion of an orderly world economy'. A `body of broad principles' should be agreed upon, which should include fair prices for both consumers and producers. At the first session of the FAO Conference, held in Quebec City, Canada from 16 October to 1 November 1945, attended by representatives of 44 countries, FAO's constitution was approved by which member nations `being determined to promote the common welfare' pledged `to work separately and collectively' for the purposes of FAO, which were defined as · raising levels of nutrition and standards of living of the peoples under their respective jurisdictions; · securing improvements in the efficiency of the production and distribution of all food and agricultural products; · bettering the condition of rural populations; and thus · contributing toward an expanding world economy [and ensuring humanity's freedom from hunger] (FAO, 1945). 2 The constitution also set out, clearly and explicitly, the functions of FAO: · The organization was to `collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate' informa- tion relating to `nutrition, food and agriculture'. · It was to `promote and, where appropriate, recommend national and interna- tional action' concerning: (a) scientific, technological, social, and economic research relating to nutrition, food and agriculture; back to top Next page
© 2009