Rome – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced today the new FAO Four Betters Courses initiative, aimed at extending FAO’s outreach and partnerships with academia to transform global agrifood systems. The initiative will provide a systematic and methodological framework for the Organization to collaborate with universities, enhancing their curricula in line with FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-2031.
At the launch event on the sidelines of the World Food Forum, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu explained that the “Four Betters” – better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life – are the overarching integrated principle of FAO’s Strategic Framework, in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In this context, Qu advocated for a holistic approach to education that extends beyond traditional academics to encompass well-being, highlighting the crucial role of partnerships with academic and research institutions in addressing the growing complexities of agrifood systems.
The Four Betters Courses initiative will leverage the FAO e-Learning Academy, which already offers over 600 multilingual certified courses free of charge and has supplemented several university master’s and post graduate degree programmes with its course offerings, through partnerships with universities and university networks worldwide. In the context of the initiative, these courses will be enriched with key FAO publications and knowledge resources, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
By integrating FAO resources into university curricula, the initiative aims to amplify FAO’s global impact. This integration will enrich educational standards and better equip young professionals to contribute actively to the transformation of agrifood systems and address the associated challenges.
The FAO Four Betters Courses initiative is a significant step forward in the FAO’s efforts to promote education and innovation in agrifood systems. By partnering with universities worldwide, FAO aims to ensure that the next generation of agrifood systems leaders is well-equipped to address the challenges of the 21st century.
What are the Four Betters?
The Four Betters represent an organizing principle for how FAO intends to contribute directly to SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero hunger), and SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities) as well as to supporting achievement of the broader SDG agenda, which is crucial for attaining FAO’s overall vision.
They reflect the interconnected economic, social and environmental dimensions of agrifood systems and encourage a strategic and systems-oriented approach within all FAO’s interventions.
- Better production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, through efficient and inclusive food and agriculture supply chains at local, regional and global level, ensuring resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in a changing climate and environment.
- Better nutrition: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition in all its forms, including promoting nutritious food and increasing access to healthy diets.
- Better environment: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and combat climate change (reduce, reuse, recycle, residual management) through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
- Better life: Promote inclusive economic growth by reducing inequalities (urban/rural areas, rich/poor countries, men/women).
