International
Background
The CSM has established policy working groups in order to promote dialogue and common positions amongst CSOs on issues being discussed in the CFS.
ROLE of the CSM Working Groups
- To enhance circulation of relevant documentation and information on the issue and on the related process in the CFS
- To provide a space for dialogue and the exchange of views amongst CSOs on the issues under consideration by the CFS OEWG/TT
- To provide a space for CSOs to develop strong and well-articulated civil society positions
- To provide inputs to the civil society members of the CFS OEWG and TTs
- To identify civil society participants in CFS OEWGs and Task Teams and in Round Table panels.
PARTICIPATION in CSM Working Groups
The CSM working groups are open to ALL members of the Civil Society Mechanism. Membership of the CSM is open to all CSOs working on food security and nutrition. CSOs interested in participating in a CSM working group should contact the relevant CSM Coordinator and or facilitator (see below). Members of the CSM WGs must be prepared to participate actively and not just be recipients of information!
COORDINATORS/FACILITATORS of CSM Working Groups
Each of the CSM working groups require a coordinator and facilitator who are dedicated to enabling broad civil society participation and engagement leading up to the 37th Session. The Coordinator position is reserved for a Coordination Committee member, and should be supported by a facilitator. Both the coordinators and facilitators are meant to fulfill a facilitation rather than political role on a voluntary basis. The facilitator is considered a “resource person” and should provide support to the Coordinator. The selection of the coordinator(s) and facilitator(s) should be proposed by the members of the working group and agreed by the members of the CSM Coordination Committee
As much as possible the role of the Coordinator, with the assistance of the Facilitator, 4 civil society Advisory Group members and the Secretariat, is to:
- Facilitate the participation of a wide range of CSOs in the CSM working groups, and in particular, encourage participation by IPs and organisations representing small-scale food producers
- Share information on the CFS processes and content amongst all members of the CSM
- Facilitate civil society input into the CFS processes
The facilitators of CSM working groups need not necessarily be members of CFS OEWGs and TTs. It is not essential for facilitators to be based in Rome, since it is possible to be in contact with the secretariat via email and telephone. There will be very few meetings of CFS OEWGs and Task Teams taking place – most of the work will be electronic.
The names and contact details of the current coordinators/facilitators of the CSM working groups are provided in the “POLICY WORKING GROUPS” section.
Civil Society input into, and participation in, CFS OEWGs and Task Teams
The CSO participants in the OEWGs and TTs should have considerable experience in the issue and be able to communicate the different views within the CSM WGs., participants do not need to be always the same people. The participants can vary according to availability, the specific issues under discussion at particular time etc. Participation does not have to be in person – for many CFS Task Team meetings it is possible to participate via tele-conference. In communicating CSO positions to the CFS it should be emphasised that the positions with the greatest legitimacy are those which reflect the views of a diverse range of CSOs, especially peoples’ organisations and social movements and have ensured input from CSOs at sub-regional and country levels.
You can find information on the ways of working and outputs of the different CSM working groups by clicking on the appropriate box below.