IAAS Training about the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

IAAS Training about the Food and Agriculture Organization

of the United Nations (FAO)

Welcome to IAAS’s Training

on the FAO!This training aims to:

• Inform about FAO• Prepare members for interactions at FAO

Hello IAAS Colleague!

Welcome to the IAAS training on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Our training is right for you if:1) You are interested in learning more about the FAO 2) You are considering applying to attend a meeting of the FAO through IAAS3) if you have been selected to attend a meeting of the FAO through IAAS,4) if you will go to the FAO for an internship5) You will run for EC.CC. of IAAS

Table of ContentsThe following topics inform and prepare members.

• Introduction: UN and FAO Purpose and History

• Module 1: UN and FAO Technical Language

• Module 2: Structure of the FAO and FAO Meetings

• Module 3: Where to Find Preparatory Resources and Past Reports

• Module 4: The Civil Society Mechanism

• Module 5: Methods of Communication at the FAO

• Module 6: Maximizing Time at FAO Meetings

• Module 7: Logistics in Rome and the FAO

Table of ContentsYou may wish to choose sections as it fits you.

Those who will attend a meeting of the FAO and are already selected to attend should find the entire training useful.

Each module has a quiz portion at the end. This will test your understanding and re-emphasize key points of the module.

Introduction: UN and FAO Purpose and History

Sections:

• What is the UN?• Structure of the UN• What is the FAO?

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL AND RELATED SCIENCES

What is the UN?The United Nations (UN) helps the world cooperate.• Founded in 1945 after the end of World War II• 51 founding nations. Now there are 193 member states!• Best known for international peacekeeping and humanitarian aid

• 4 main purposes:

1) to keep peace2) develop friendly relations between nations3) help nations cooperate to improve lives,

especially of the poor and marginalized peoples4) to be a center for these actions

Learn more at http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.shtml.


Structure of the UNThe UN has so many functions that it must divide itself many times. The highest level of organization is the UN Principal Organs.

The UN divides itself into SIX principal organs:

• General Assembly*• Security Council*• Economic and Social Council*• Secretariat*• International Court of Justice• Trusteeship Council

* These principal organs have further subdivisions


For perspective, we see a full diagram of the UN structure on the next slide. This is only for your reference.

Our principle organ of interest is the Economic and Social Council, which houses the FAO as a Specialized Agency.

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The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

The ECOSOC is the Principal Organ of the UN that houses the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a special agency.


ECOSOCThe ECOSOC:• Was founded in 1945 with the UN• Commissions studies• Writes reports• Makes policy recommendations to the Genral Assembly of the UN

• Coordinates the UN and provides forums for

1) social issues2) economic issues3) humanitarian issues

Fasulo L. 2009. An insider's guide to the UN. 2nd ed. New Haven, Conn.: Yale Univ. Press.


ECOSOCThe ECOSOC has:• 54 members elected from the General Assembly of the UN• Terms of 3 years for members• Balanced geographic representation• Special agencies which carry out the majority of the work

The ECOSOC is historically related to CSOs. NGOs were present at the first ECOSOC meeting. In 1950, they set the stage for their involvement through Resolution 288(X), which created consultative status categories.

This is the basis for IAAS’s involvement with FAO.

Fasulo L. 2009. An insider's guide to the UN. 2nd ed. New Haven, Conn.: Yale Univ. Press.Smith C. 2006. Politics and Process at the United Nations: The Global Dance. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.

Module 1:Technical Language

The FAO uses a great deal of the technical language used by the UN. Technical language can often be confusing due to:• Translations• Similarities to everyday terms• Small differences between terms

Sections:• Important and Common Acronyms• Conference terms


AcronymsIt seems the UN an FAO use endless acronyms. In this section, we show acronyms that you are most likely to encounter.

Based on your specific meeting, you will encounter specific helpful acronyms.

Let’s start with acronyms you know:Abbreviation Full Name

UN United Nations

ECOSOC Economic and Social Council

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization


AcronymsThe FAO Council has three Subsidiary Organs, which advise the FAO Council:

Works Cited: FAO. 2013. An Introduction to the FAO Council. Report. Rome: FAO. [accessed 2015 February 23]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/bodies/Council/IntroFAOCouncil.pdf

Abbreviation Full Name

PC Program Committee

FC Finance Committee

CCLM Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters

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e/en/The diagram shows how the Subsidiary Organs of the FAO Council, the acronyms defined in the last slide, fit into the governing structure of FAO.


AcronymsTechnical Committees report to the FAO Council, which considers their input for FAO program and budget. The technical committees host a Committee meeting once every two years.

Abbreviation Full Name

COFI Committee on Fisheries

COFO Committee on Forestry

COAG Committee on Agriculture

CCP Committee on Commodity Problems

CFS Committee on World Food Security

The diagram shows how the Technical Committees, the acronyms defined in the last slide, fit into the overall governing structure of the FAO.

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AcronymsWithin the conference, you will need to be quickly familiar with these acronyms. Some will be more useful at some conferences.

The acronym for the ICN2 is included here because it was a landmark conference. Only two global conferences on nutrition have been held with the FAO and WHO. One in 1992 and the second, the ICN2 in November 2014.

Abbreviation Full Name Description

CSO Civil Society Organizations

General name for Civil Society Organizations involved with the UN

(I)NGOs (International) Non-governmental organizations

A general term used for non-governmental organizations

PSM Private Sector Mechanism

The organizing body for all private sector organizations involved with the UN

ICN2 Second International Conference on Nutrition

The second international UN conference on nutrition ever held. The first was held in 1992 and the ICN2 was held in 2014.

Works Cited:World Health Organization. 2015. WHO | About WHO. [accessed 2015 Mar 22]. Available from: http://www.who.int/about/en/World Food Programme. 2015. About WFP | WFP | United Nations World Food Programme - Fighting Hunger Worldwide. [accessed 2015 Mar 22]. Available from: https://www.wfp.org/aboutInternational Fund for Agricultural Development. 2015. Who we are. [accessed 2015 Mar 22]. Available from: http://www.ifad.org/governance/index.htmCGIAR. 2015. Who We Are. [accessed 2015 Mar 22]. Available from: http://www.cgiar.org/who-we-are/

AcronymsFAO has partner organizations that it works with frequently. Activities between FAO and these organizations are often joint.

Abbreviation Full Name Description

WHO World Health Organization

Authority for health within the UN

WFP World Food Programme

Part of the UN; provides humanitarian food aid

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development

Agency of the UN to finance agricultural production development project; result of the 1974 World Food Conference

CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

A partnership among food security research institutions; 15 centers are a part of the CGIAR Consortium.

At a normal FAO committee meeting, we observe many of the organizations listed in the previous slide. IFAD and WFP can be seen in this photo.

This photos was taken at the 2014 Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

On the next slide you see the UN System diagram again.

Circled in red are the partner organizations defined in the slide before. All defined were part of the UN except for CGIAR.

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Conference TermsWithin conferences, there are important terms to understand. Here, we list the most important terms and definitions relevant to IAASers as observers of the meetings.Agenda The work program of the conference

Chairperson Leader of the conference which manages the meeting; ensures orderly debate and all decisions are taken

Vice-Chairperson Serves as the Chairperson in his/her absence; usual in large conferences; can also act in the steering committee

Rapporteur Responsible for drafting and publishing the conference report

Friends of the Rapporteur

Committee that assists the Rapporteur in drafting the conference report

Conference Secretariat

Team responsible for organizing the conference

Plenary Conference meeting as a whole

Works Cited:Committee on World Food Security. 2014. Personal notes from attending the Committee on World Food Security 2014 October 13 through 17.Walker R. 2011. Manual for UN Delegates: Conference Process, Procedure and Negotiation. Geneva, Switzerland. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).


Conference TermsCaution: The “Conference Secretariat” should not be confused with the “Secretariat”; the Secretariat is the staff of an international organization and does not organize the conference

However, individuals assigned to a Secretariat may also be a part of a Conference Secretariat.

This slide orients us to the front table of the Plenary where the Chairperson, Rapporteur, Vice-Chair Person, and invited speakers sit. Here we see the typical arrangement of officials presiding over the Plenary.

Not pictured: Vice-Chairperson to the right of the Chairperson

Works cited:Committee on World Food Security. 2014. Personal notes from attending the Committee on World Food Security 2014 October 13 through 17.Walker R. 2011. Manual for UN Delegates: Conference Process, Procedure and Negotiation. Geneva, Switzerland. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Chairperson

Rapporteur

Module 2: Structure of the FAO & Meetings

Sections:• Governing Structure

-FAO Council-FAO Conference

• Headquarters Structure• Main Meetings• Meeting Structure

-rules of procedure-parts of the meeting

• informal powers of observers


Institutional Structure: FAO Council

The FAO Council is the governing structure of the FAO.

Key facts about the FAO Council:• Meets 5 times biennially at headquarters in Rome• For global governance, policy issues, international

frameworks, and FAO budget• Advised by the subsidiary organs, technical committees,

and regional conferences• Composed of 49 member nations• Creates the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB)


Institutional Structure: FAO CouncilNote: Not all member nations are a part of the FAO Council. The 49 member nations that make up the council are elected for three years.

Works Cited:FAO. 2015. Governing and Statutory Bodies Website. [accessed 2015 February 23]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/unfao/govbodies/gsbhome/gsb-home/en/

Institutional Structure: FAO Conference

All activities of the FAO feed into the FAO Conference. Here, all the member nations of the FAO meet to determine policy and approve the FAO budget.

Key facts about the FAO Conference:• Meets once biennially at the headquarters in Rome• Next session: 6-13 June 2015

The next page shows the diagram of the FAO governing bodies.

After explanations of each part, the diagram shows the Council, Conference, Regional Conferences, and Technical Committees contributions to the FAO Council and the FAO Conference.


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Works Cited:FAO. 2013. Headquarters Organigramme. [accessed 2015 February 24]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/a-as984e.pdfFAO. 2015. Governing and Statutory Bodies Website. [accessed 2015 February 23]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/unfao/govbodies/gsbhome/gsb-home/en/

Headquarters Structure

The headquarters of the FAO carries out the commitments of the committees, council, and conference.

Therefore, the headquarters structure is similar to the governing structure of the FAO. It includes technical and regional departments that mirror the technical committees and regional conferences.

However, a great deal of the headquarters structure does not mirror the governing structure.

Some of these departments are similar to any organization or any research organization. For example, the FAO must have human resources and corporate communications departments.

Regional Offices

TechnicalDepartments

Works Cited:FAO. 2013. Headquarters Organigramme. [accessed 2015 February 24]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/a-as984e.pdf


Main MeetingsThe FAO hold countless meetings. Listed here are the pillars of FAO meetings. The conferences are listed in order of size, with all committee meetings assumed to be approximately equal.

For an up to date list of all upcoming FAO meetings, visit the FAO website athttp://www.fao.org/about/meetings/en/

Meeting Name Frequency Next Meeting

FAO Conference Once every 2 years 6-13 June 2015

FAO Council 5 times every 2 years

--

COAG, COFO, COFI, CCP Once every 2 years 2016

Codex Committee No schedule monthly

Main MeetingsThe FAO Conference is the main decision-making body of FAO. It meets with all member nations every two years.

The FAO Council meets between meetings of the FAO Conference to accomplish the business of the organization.

A codex committee establishes and amends standards for joint WHO and FAO programs.

Committee meetings (on Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Commodity Problems) meet every two years. They convene all stakeholders to generate normative statements and commitments.


Module 3: Meeting StructureAlthough there are many different meetings of the FAO, meetings hold a similar structure.

The section on meeting structure is broken into three sections:

-rules of procedure-parts of the meeting-informal powers of observers


Rules of ProcedureEvery meeting is governed by a set of rules of procedure. Since FAO is a subsidiary body of the ECOSOC, rules of procedure adopted by the ECOSOC apply to the FAO.

Rules of Procedure…• Inform delegates how to speak• Inform delegates how they may participate• Should be reviewed before the conference• Must be carried at all times during the conference• May be distinct in conference committee meetings

Works cited:Walker R. 2011. Manual for UN Delegates: Conference Process, Procedure and Negotiation. Geneva, Switzerland. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Meeting Structure: Parts of the Meeting

Every meeting has different parts:• Plenary• Committees• Side Events

PlenaryEvery meeting has Plenary.

It is the meeting of all representatives and observers of the conference. General debate and decisions are taken in the Plenary.

The Plenary can allocate work to be done by committees.

Often, the delegations will assign one or two delegates to take notes in the Plenary while senior officers take on other tasks.


CommitteesCommittees are assigned tasks that need preparatory work before the item reaches the Plenary.

Committees can include a few attendees of the conference. These committees meet concurrent to the Plenary.

The Chairperson can also call a Committee of the Whole (CoW). A CoW meets at a different time than the Plenary.

A Chairperson is required for each committee.


CommitteesCommittees are more informal than the Plenary and thus invited the opportunity for more NGO and observer organization consultation and influence.

Delegations will choose to take part in committees based on their priorities. Committee meetings allow smaller delegations to focus on a few key issues.

A Committee of the Whole (CoW) will be called if the Chairperson believes there is sufficient time and adequate need for every member of the conference to be involved in the committee meetings.


Side EventsSide events are often hosted by organizations other than the host of the conference. They highlight special topics in relation to the conference mandate.

In a side event, usually a panel of experts will speak on a common theme (example: capacity building).

Side events are typically very small, holding a maximum of 30 observers. They are one of the most informal sessions of the conference.

Side events offer an excellent opportunity to begin networking and try your hand at asking a question.


Informal Powers of ObserversIAAS is a Liaison Organization of the FAO. As such, we have the right to observe on FAO meetings to which we are invited.

Observers do not have a vote in meetings, but we do have special powers, especially informal powers.


Works cited:Committee on World Food Security. 2014. Personal notes from attending the Committee on World Food Security 2014 October 13 through 17.FAO. 2015. Guidelines for ensuring balanced representation of Civil Society in FAO meetings and processes. [accessed 2015 February 24]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/partnerships/docs/1_BRG%20INGL.pdfWalker R. 2011. Manual for UN Delegates: Conference Process, Procedure and Negotiation. Geneva, Switzerland. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Informal Powers of ObserversOrganizations exercise their influence in a variety of ways:• Conversations outside formal events• Publishing daily conference newsletters• Hosting conference side events• Distributing fliers and materials• Making a formal statement at the closing of the pleniary• Advising delegations with a vote


Informal Powers of ObserversThe FAO itself believes that 1/3 of representation of civil society should be youth. However, this is not a reality to date.

Currently (March 2015) the FAO is drafting a Corporate Youth Strategy through YUNGA (Youth and United Nations Global Alliance).

Conclusion: FAO is interested in IAASers.

Module 4: Civil Society MechanismThe Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) facilitates civil society organizations to participate in the Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

In this module, we explore:• What is the CSM?• Membership in the CSM

Works cited:Committee on World Food Security. 2014. Personal notes from attending the Committee on World Food Security 2014 October 13 through 17.FAO. 2015. Guidelines for ensuring balanced representation of Civil Society in FAO meetings and processes. [accessed 2015 February 24]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/partnerships/docs/1_BRG%20INGL.pdfProposal for an International Food Security and Nutrition Civil Society Mechansim for Relations with CFS. 2015. Rome: Action Aid International. [accessed 2015 Mar 25]. https://cso4cfs.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/csm-en.pdf

What is the CSM?The CSM serves CSOs as a:• Meeting place for experience sharing, discussion and

analysis• Facilitator for communication to CFS• Platform for taking a common position as CSOs• Preparation for the CFS

The CSM meets annually in person before and during the CFS. Between meetings, the CSM drafts documents, sends newsletter, and holds discussions.


What is the CSM?The CSOs belonging to the CSM also support each other’s activities. Valuable contacts are made for the work of CSOs through the CSM.

The CSM values balanced participation from it’s constituencies, sub-regions, and genders.

At the 2014 CSM, there was no coordinator for the youth constituency. A new youth coordinator has been selected from the organization MIJARC. There is a great need for youth to be involved in the CFS.


Membership in CSMOrganizations can be members through the 11 constituencies and 17 sub-regional groups. IAAS can participate through the youth and NGO constituencies.

Your CSO must be involves in services or advocacy related to food security.

The CSM determines which CSOs observe on the CFS.

To become involved, organizations must contact their CSM constituency or sub-regional representative. IAAS belongs to the youth constituency.


Membership in CSMTo contact the youth constituency of the CSM, write to:

George Dixon FernandezOrganisation: MIJARCLocation: Brussels/IndiaContact: [email protected]

Contact: [email protected]

Information at: http://www.csm4cfs.org/coordination_committee-3/constituencies-4/youth-10/

mailto:[email protected]


Membership in CSMOrganizations can be members through the 11 constituencies:a) Smallholder family farmersb) Artisanal fisherfolkc) Herders/pastoralistsd) Landlesse) Urban poorf) Agricultural and food workersg) Womenh) Youthi) Consumersj) Indigenous Peoplesk) NGOs


Membership in CSMOrganizations can be member through the 17 sub-regional groups:• North America, Central America and Caribbean• Andean Region, Southern Cone• Western Europe• Eastern Europe• West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, Central Asia• Oceania and Pacific, Southern Africa• West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, North Africa

Module 5: Preparatory Resources and Past ReportsDelegates need preparation before attending any major meeting of the FAO. Here, we share general and specific sources of information for your preparation

• Resources from FAO• Literature Resources• Resources from IAAS


Resources from FAO: Conference Secretariat

Generally, the conference secretariat will be your main source of information on any conference.

Example of an exception: the CSM coordinates civil society participation in the CFS. The CSM determines who will observe at the CFS.

The conference secretariat is responsible for coordinating invitations, conference credentials of attending members, issuing invitations, coordinating visas, and directing delegates to resources about the conference.



The conference secretariat usually maintains an email address, and office at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, and maintains a website. This website is unique for each event.

To find contact information:Conference secretariat website



To obtain documents:• Conference secretariat website• Email with the conference secretariat• CSM/CSO network

Documents important for review:• Annotated Agenda• Rules of Procedure• Reports presented at the meeting• Report from the last meeting



The CSM/CSO networks are particularly important for draft versions of documents and statements that the CSM/CSO may issue during the conference.

If you are involved in their email list, you can follow the progress of these documents/statements and, if you wish, have input.



Additionally, be sure you understand the mission of the conference and its hosts. • Understand the difference between similar meetings• Some conferences are hosted jointly by FAO and other

organizations (example: WHO)



Understanding the difference between similar meetings can be difficult to discover through literature research.

For example, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) seems to follow a similar mission and the Committee on Agriculture (COAG). However, the CFS involves sectors outside agriculture when considering food security, including forestry and fisheries.


Resources from FAO: Guiding Documents

It is also important to understand how FAO views Civil Society Organizations. For specific questions about how IAAS can become involved with FAO, consult the following:

1) FAO. 2013. FAO Strategy for Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations. [accessed 2015 February 22]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3443e/i3443e.pdf

2) FAO. 2015. Guidelines for ensuring balanced representation of Civil Society in FAO meetings and processes. [accessed 2015 February 24]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/partnerships/docs/1_BRG%20INGL.pdf

3) Proposal for an International Food Security and Nutrition Civil Society Mechanism for Relations with CFS. 2015. Rome: Action Aid International. [accessed 2015 Mar 25]. Available from: https://cso4cfs.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/csm-en.pdf

http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3443e/i3443e.pdf

http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3443e/i3443e.pdf

http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/partnerships/docs/1_BRG%20INGL.pdf

http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/partnerships/docs/1_BRG%20INGL.pdf

https://cso4cfs.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/csm-en.pdf

https://cso4cfs.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/csm-en.pdf


Literature ResourcesSeveral texts are helpful for understanding the FAO. For more detailed understanding of the procedures delegates should be aware of, consult Walker’s easy to read and useful Manual for UN Delegates.

Walker R. 2011. Manual for UN Delegates: Conference Process, Procedure and Negotiation. Geneva, Switzerland. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

For an detailed outlook on the FAO with respect to civil society involvement, refer to the second chapter of McKeon’s The United Nations and Civil Society.

McKeon N. 2009. The United Nations and civil society. London: Zed Books.


Resources from IAASWithin IAAS, several people have contact with the FAO.

Attended the COAG 2014:Steven Adams, Marta Gómez San Juan, Andrea Wehrli, Konrad Egenolf

Attended the CFS 2014:Genna Tesdall, Michael Hess

Attended the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) Helene Kergoat, Galyna Dukhta

Hold Internships with FAO:Marta Gómez San Juan, Alexandria Rieder


Resources from IAASI, Genna Tesdall, worked to coordinate attendance to meetings of the FAO during the latter half of 2014 and the beginning of 2015, attended the CFS 2014, and created this training.

Marta Gomez San Juan and Alexandria Rieder are currently very active at the FAO with their internships and advocating for IAAS.

If you have inquiries, email [email protected].

Module 6: Maximizing Time at FAO MeetingsLike everything worth doing, there is too much to do and too little time in a meeting.

• Sharing your time• Determining your priorities• Nurturing the IAAS-FAO Relationship


Sharing Your TimeSide events, committee meetings, and the CSO/CSM can convene at the same time as the Plenary. To share your time between these sessions: • Split up delegates between meetings• Team up with other CSOs or observers, especially youth• Determine where the Plenary summary is published

Reports on the Plenary will be published daily. Discover where these are published and if they give you the information you need. If so, you can prioritize other sessions of the meeting over the Plenary. You will only need to attend only the most interesting and relevant parts of the Plenary in this situation.


Determining PrioritiesDuring the meeting, you are likely to have two types of goals: Personal goals and IAAS goals.

Before speaking with others, determine your personal goals for the meeting. Be sure to include this in your application to IAAS for meeting attendance.

For your IAAS goals, think of progress that would excite you for IAAS, either locally, nationally, regionally, or internationally.• Consult with others at all levels of IAAS• After speaking with others, reassess both personal and

IAAS goals


Determining PrioritiesDetermining goals will help you choose how to spend your time. Then plan your time by:• Choosing the Plenary sessions, side events, and

committees meetings that advance your goals• Identify key organizations and/or persons at the meeting• Set up meetings with key organizations and persons

Smaller sessions are more informal and provide an opportunity to speak with others. Therefore…

Side events and personal meetings are the most useful for IAASers.


Nuturing the IAAS-FAO Relationship

You are the youth voice. Get involved in FAO!

IAAS sees opportunities for IAAS to be involved in FAO (including but not limited to):1) Establishing more internships2) Observing on more meetings3) Organizing youth-focused side events at meetings4) Establishing a formal partnership

Module 7: Logistics in Rome and the FAONavigating a new organization, city and country is an art. In this module, we cover general skills you need to navigate.

• Entering the FAO and the Conference• Securing a Visa to Italy• Arriving by air in Rome• Navigating Rome• Places to Stay in Rome


Entering the FAO and the Conference

Arrange your attendance to the conference in advance of your arrival.

If you arrive without an invitation:You will NOT be permitted to enter the FAO and will NOT be able to speak with anyone with power to admit you to the FAO.

Conclusion: Arrange your attendance and confirm your attendance in advance of arriving at the FAO.



When your attendance is arranged, you will receive a confirmation email from the conference secretariat. You must PRINT THIS EMAIL. Bring it and your passport with you to the FAO to show to security.

When you arrive at the FAO, you will pass through a security check point. Allow 10 minutes or more to pass through security.

Do not bring suitcases to the FAO. They will not fit through the security checkpoint.



Once you enter the building, you must check into the conference and receive your conference badge. You will be directed to the conference check-in location.

The FAO building is confusing, even for those who work their every day.

Therefore, allow extra time to find meeting rooms.


Securing a VisaBefore arriving in Italy, check with the Italian Embassy or Consulate to determine if you will need a special visa to enter Italy.

If you do need a visa, contact the conference secretariat. They will help you coordinate a visa.

However, many secretariats will not work on visas if the visa is requested 4 weeks or less before the start of the conference.

Conclusion: When possible, plan conference participation as early as possible.


Arriving by AirWhen traveling by air, you will arrive at the Fiumicino (International) or Clampino (Domestic) Airports in Rome.

To arrive in the city from Fiumicino, you will need to take the Leonardo Express (cost 14 EUR). The train’s last stop is Termini Station. You will get off the train here.

Termini Station is the hub of all transportation in Rome. From Termini Station, you may take the metro to the FAO. You can also take the metro or bus to your lodging.

Navigating RomeTo arrive at the FAO by metro: Take the red line to Circo Massimo. The FAO will be directly above the metro stop.

The metro is fast, crowded, and will arrive every 2 minutes during busy times. It is only unreliable if there is a strike. It is recommendable to purchase a week pass for the metro.

The metro is key place for theft. Follow these steps:• Be aware of your surroundings• Hide or disguise valuables• Carry smaller amounts of money• Travel with someone else• Appear as though you have a destination and are

confident

Navigating Rome

In addition to the metro, tourist sites are huge for theft.

However, don’t let worry of theft ruin your enjoyment. It is easy to avoid high risk of theft with a bit of research and speaking with others on techniques to avoid compromising situations.


Places to StayThere is no IAAS committee in Rome. However, there may be an IAASer interning in Rome. They may be willing to host you.

If this is not possible, IAASers recommend:The Stella Housenear Termini Station, German, and Turkish EmbassiesVia Montebello, 9900185 RomaTel/Fax: (+39) 06.4941279, E-mail: [email protected]://www.stellahouse.it/

Tarini Serenellanear the Colluseumhttp://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p1125521

http://www.stellahouse.it/

http://www.stellahouse.it/


Places to StayThe Stella House: At the Stella House, a family rents out several rooms of their apartment. You will have a private room and Stella and her daughter will tell you how to arrive at every place in Rome. It is in a very safe and quiet neighborhood. There are security guards near for the Turkish and German Embassies. As a result, there is not much night life in this area. However, it is easy to take buses and the metro from Termini, which is a short walk away. During the day, Castro Pretorito is the closest metro stop at only 5 minutes walk.

Tarini Serenella:Tarini Serenella’s house through homeaway.com is an excellent location and price value for a group. The colluseum also has a subway stop near that will deliver you directly to the Circo Maximo metro stop at the FAO.


Thank you!Your interest in FAO keeps IAAS involved with FAO and

moving forward. It’s IAASers like you who become great leaders of our organization!

Please ask questions about the FAO and current opportunities at [email protected] or

[email protected].

Finally, we welcome your feedback and additions. We learn together!



Thank you.

IAAS Training about the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

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Transcript of IAAS Training about the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)