The year 2009 has been proclaimed the International Year of Natural Fibres. The Year is to be coordinated by Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations, under the guidance of an international steering committee, and FAO. But most of the activities will be initiated, planned and funded by individual organizations around the world. Organizations with an interest in natural fibres are urged to develop their own plans for 2009.
Objectives of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009
The objectives of the IYNF have been proposed as:
- To raise awareness and stimulate demand for natural fibres;
- To encourage appropriate policy responses from governments to the problems faced by natural fibre industries;
- To foster an effective and enduring international partnership among the various natural fibres industries;
- To promote the efficiency and sustainability of the natural fibres industries.
In pursuing these objectives, the IYNF will contribute to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) number 1 (in attacking poverty and hunger), number 7 (in contributing to environmental sustainability), and number 8 (in promoting the formation of an international partnership).
All players in the natural fibres industries should benefit from the International Year of Natural Fibres, including particularly the farmers and the exporting countries. Processors, manufacturers and others in the chain will also benefit. There will be environmental/health benefits in consuming as well as producing countries, from increased awareness and increased use of natural fibres.
Planning and Organization
The IYNF will be subject to the general guidance of an International Steering Committee, and under the technical responsibility of an IYNF Coordination Unit in FAO.
The success of the IYNF will depend on a partnership of various natural fibre groups working together. There are a number of such groups, each concerned with an individual natural fibre. Inter-Governmental bodies, such as the International Cotton Advisory Committee and the International Jute Study Group, actively work to support the fibres which they cover. FAO embodies some of the international bodies which are involved in the IYNF, including the Intergovernmental Group on Hard Fibres and the Intergovernmental Group on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres. There are other groups, mainly non-Governmental, with interests in various fibres, such as the International Wool Textile Organisation, which include those representing farmer/producers, as well as traders, processors and textile manufacturers. One of the objectives of the proposed exercise is to assist in forming closer links between the various bodies covering the diverse range of fibres. Thus an international partnership has come together to serve as a steering committee for the IYNF, and has met a number of times since its first meeting late in 2005. This Committee will provide guidance to FAO through to the end of 2009.
FAO is to coordinate and lead the IYNF, working in close cooperation with an International Steering Committee. FAO's role is primarily to communicate information about natural fibres and the IYNF, to provide communication content and material to partner organizations and to coordinate activities to be undertaken by international and national fibre organizations.
FAO proposes to undertake the following activities:
- Maintaining contact and liaising with relevant organizations in various countries, provide encouragement, support and coordination to partner organizations conducting IYNF activities.
- Preparing and disseminating information on the IYNF.
- Developing and maintaining the IYNF website, incorporating promotional material, calendar of events, international partnership.
- Official opening ceremony, 22 January 2009.
- Publication of a book, hold an international conference, on natural fibres.
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