The WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil is marking 10 years of operations with an online event on the role of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in the fight against hunger. The event scheduled for 4 November will be broadcast live and will bring together partner governments and specialists from various WFP’s offices, including headquarters, WFP’s Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation in China and the Regional Centre of Excellence against Hunger and Malnutrition (CERFAM) in Côte d’Ivoire.
An innovative partnership between WFP and the Government of Brazil, through the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE) and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), resulted in the establishment of the Centre in November 2011. The Centre was a pioneer within WFP as a standalone office focusing on South-South and triangular cooperation, sharing good practices from Brazil with countries interested in creating sustainable policies to fight hunger and poverty, in areas such as school feeding, smallholder farming, nutrition and partnerships.
“The Centre of Excellence collaborates with other WFP offices around the world on food and nutrition security solutions, resulting in long-term social and economic benefits for children and vulnerable people in developing countries. Our work has helped improve the lives of 4 million children worldwide and has also empowered thousands of smallholder farmers who participate in home-grown school feeding programmes”, said Daniel Balaban, Director of the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger Brazil.
In 2019, the Centre began expanding the scope of its work, focusing on a new remote support tool (Virtual Exchanges) which develops publications, technical information, videos, training, and online courses for capacity building. It also includes assistance to develop school feeding and food security policies – almost all done remotely. With the outbreak of COVID-19, in March 2020, this remote assistance became even more relevant and was widely used to ensure business continuity.
To mark the 10th anniversary, a new publication highlighting the Centre’s key achievements has been published. The publication also focuses on how regional strategic partnerships and projects have benefited vulnerable populations. The book can be downloaded here.