Newsletter Sep. & Oct. 2013

The Arab Group for Protection of Nature Organizes the Second Arab Civil Society Consultation on Food Security and Nutrition

Mandated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), APN held the Second Arab Civil Society Consultation on Food Security and Nutrition in cooperation with the Arab Network for Food Sovereignty (ANFS) and the Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) affiliated with the Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

APN at the 40th session of the CFS

APN and the Arab Network for Food Sovereignty participated in the 40th Session of the Committee on World Food Security between the 7th-11th of October 2013 at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.

APN participates in the International Civil Society Mechanism Annual Forum 2013

On the 5th-6th of October 2013 more than 240 participants from civil society, representing more than 175 countries from all over the world met at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome to attend the International Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) Forum 2013.

Workshop on Food Insecurity in Protracted Crises in Preparation of the CFS 40th Session:

APN activist, Mariam Al Jaajaa, chaired the workshop within the annual forum of the CSM on food insecurity in crises, wars, and occupations. The workshop was held on the 5th of October at the FAO headquarters and the goal was to unite the voices of civil society in their demands for interventions so that they may be presented next week during the 40th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 40th).

APN at the Coordinating Committee Meeting of the International Civil Society Mechanism

APN participated at the coordinating committee meeting of the International Civil Society Mechanism on the 3-4th of October at the headquarters of the Food and Agricultural Organization. The committee consisted of 41 people representing 11 different sectors and 17 regions. APN President Razan Zuayter was the representative of West Asia. The coordinating committee organizes the participation of the global civil society in the work streams of the Committee on World Food Sovereignty (CFS).

A Meeting of the International Planning Committee on Food Sovereignty

President Razan Zuayter represented West Asia at a meeting of the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty(IPC) , which was held in Rome between October 1-2 2013. The discussion focused on the priorities of nations to impose the concept of food sovereignty and developing a work program for the next two years.

Million Tree Program in Palestine

APN’s Initiative to Plant Quarter of a Million New Trees in Palestine:

APN Contributed Towards the Cultivation of 1000 Trees in the Village of Jibat el-Theeb, where Residents Regained Ownership of their Land after 13 Years

As part of the program of planting one million trees in Palestine, APN decided to respond to a call made by the families of Jibat el-Theeb in Bethlehem. They will cultivate 1000 fruit trees during the next month in the territory that was regained on the 10th of September in 2013 after owners were prevented from entering it for 13 years.

Federation of Environmental Associations meets with Jordan’s Minister of Environment

The governing body of the Federation of Environmental Associations of Jordan met on the 4th of September with the minister of environment, and a member of the board of directors Razan Zuayter asked the ministry to develop a strategy for a short-and long -term partnership with civil society. Other members of the board asked the minister questions about pressing issues such as the envisioned nuclear plant and genetically modified food.

Donia el Sahafa- APN's Second Civil Society Consultation on Food Security and Nutrition

In September the Donia el Sahafa program hosted Razan Zuayter, President of the APN. She spoke about the association, its programs and activities, and the initiative to form the Arab Network for Food Sovereignty. She also spoke about the Civil Society Consultation on Food Security and Nutrition, which was held in Amman in September

Donia Ya Donia Program – APN’s Initiative to Help the People of Jibat el-Theeb

Roya TV’s Donia Ya Donia which is hosted by Mais el Nubani had on the show APN’s program director Mohammad Qtaishat and its press officer, Ziad El Moghrabi. They spoke about APN’s latest achievements, its projects in the past ten years, and the event which was held to celebrate the ten years.

APN Held a Debate about the Role of Youth in Agriculture

On September 29th APN hosted agricultural researcher Hanandeh Sadat in a debate with a number of volunteers to talk about agriculture and activating the role of young people with their different professions in the service of the agricultural community.

New Environmental Partnerships

APN launched a partnership program with the REFUTREES activist group, which aims to develop sustainable environmental projects to serve the needs of communities in camps in the West Bank and Lebanon. A cultural evening was set up as part of this collaboration on Friday, October 11th under the name of "Jamming for a Cause". Proceeds went to the cultivation of green roofs in the refugee camps.

Souk Jara - Volunteering Efforts Support the Planting of 800 Fruit Trees in Jordan and Palestine

Sales of products and donations at the APN stand at Souk Jara in 2013 has allowed the group to cultivate more than 800 fruit trees in Jordan and Palestine.

Genetically Modified Foods in Jordan... Monsanto

In solidarity with global social movements who are calling for a stop in dealing with genetically modified seeds sold by Monsanto, APN formed a group with activists from Taghmis, Jadal, and Tami, to study the Impact of GMOs and discuss methods of protecting local markets from these modified seeds. The group will prepare a series of activities and events at the start of year 2014 to spread awareness and encourage farmers to create seed banks to preserve local seed varieties. It will advocate for the labeling of genetically modified products because citizens have the right to know the quality of their food

APN visited the Princess Basma Youth Resource Centre (PBYRC)

In a new initiative, APN visited the Princess Basma Youth Resource Centre (PBYRC) on the 4th of October in order to communicate with youth committees and other branches in the Kingdom. On the visit APN was introduced to the green station at the center in al-Hashemi, and from then on, it was decided that the organizations would collaborate with each other to establish new green stations and gardens