ABSTRACT
The reform of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and establishment of the International Food Security and Nutrition Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) is illustrative of a participatory turn in global governance. The CSM is an innovative mechanism that is adapting to the changing governance architecture of food security. This chapter reviews the rationale for, and development of, the CSM. It presents the broader institutional evolution that provided the context for the reform, the process of designing the Mechanism and an overview of the Mechanism itself. In recognition of the fact that the CSM is still 'learning-while-doing', the chapter discusses key challenges with the aim of providing insight into potentially instructive practices. The chapter concludes by arguing that despite growing pains, the CSM has managed to effectively coordinate the participation of a broad range of civil society actors in a transparent and efficient manner while also strengthening civil society organization (CSO) networks.
