ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the “soft” side of food security policymaking and research. It is informed by a series of discussions with key food policymakers and researchers, aimed at exploring real-world experiences and lessons learned while navigating a rapidly changing global policy landscape. Experienced policymakers, researchers and program managers share experiences and lessons around governance, coordination and accountability, drawn from their personal involvement in shaping food security agendas. Most of the participants agreed that the call for multisectoral and cross-disciplinary approaches has resulted in more stakeholders than ever involved in food security governance. The conversations with the extraordinary food security practitioners resounded with empathy. The idea of ownership has been around a long time and is widely acknowledged to be important in policymaking. National governments need to be “in the driver’s seat” of food security coordination. In many countries, tackling malnutrition has been taken on by presidents’ offices, acting as a hub for food security advisors placed in different ministries.
