course material

2. Topic GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY HOW BEST TO FEED THE WORLD Order
Description -2000 words – OPEN THE LINK IS ATTACHED IN THE FILE –
FOLLOW THE MARKING CRITERIA IS VERY IMPORTANT – THE RELATES
WITH COMMON GOOD AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Topic Global Food Security
How best to feed the world? Can you think of any other perspectives?
Perspective Christian Churches • What belief is held by this group? •
What resolution would they opt for? • Who would benefit? Perspective
Those who call for change in diet and attitude • What belief is held by this
group? • What resolution would they opt for? • Who would benefit?
Perspective Multinational agribusinesses • What belief is held by this
group? • What resolution would they opt for? • Who would benefit?
Perspective Science, research and development • What belief is held by
this group? • What resolution would they opt for? • Who would benefit?
Perspective Farmers • What belief is held by this group? • What
resolution would they opt for? • Who would benefit? Perspective Aid
and development agencies • What belief is held by this group? • What
resolution would they opt for? • Who would benefit? TOPIC Global Food
Security A number of resources have been provided for you in this
package. Use any/ all of the material to complete your analysis. Your Task
1. Choose one hot topic from those presented 2. Describe the issue (150
words) 3. Explain why this is an issue of justice or the common good (150
words). 4. Identify the people or groups who have a st ake in the issue
and analyse their perspectives on it. Why may some stakeholders not
want the situation to change? (750 words) 5. Analyse the issue in terms of
the common good and the principles that promote human flourishing.
(750 words) 6. In light of your ana lysis, how might the common good best
be served in relation to this issue? (200 words). Introduction Food is a
fundamental need and, at its best, a source of delight for all living
creatures. For human beings food is an absolute necessity for the life,
health and wellbeing of present generations and the hope for future
generations. Food prod uction is the most fundamental economic activity
hospitality, the enjoyment and sharing of food, is fundamental to family
life and social cohesion. Most of us are lucky enough not to have to

3. wonder where our next meal is coming from. Most of us also do not
actually grow or produce the food which we consume on a daily basis. We
simply go to the supermarket to buy what we need and before us is a vast
array of choices from all over the world . This may mean that we do not
get an adequate sense of a number of important issues around food. The
production and distribution of food sufficient to meet the needs of the
world’ s population has always been a challenge. Insufficient food, and
hunger, is one aspect of poverty and its attendant ills, a fact recognised in
the United Nations’ Millennium Declaration ( see section III, pp 4 -5). The
first of the Millennium Development goals is the “ eradication of extreme
poverty and hunger” by 2015 . Read this fact sheet for more information
on this important goal. Food security involves increasing the production
of food world-wi de to meet the needs of a global population, which, it is
estimated, will rise to over nine billion people by 2050, 1 yet fewer people
today are farmers than ever before in history. While over half a billion
people around the world are conside red to be obes e, 2 over 800 million
people are undernourished. 3 The vast majority of the world’ s
population, and around 98% of its hungry population, live in the
developing world. 4 Most of the world’ s farmers also live in the
developing world. These farmers, who are typi cally without political and
economic power, need to have access to land and to the benefits of
agricultural and related sciences to improve their yields and the
nutritional value of the foods they produce. 1 Worldometers “World
Population Past, Present and Future,” accessed April 13, 2014, http
//www.worldometers.info/world -population/ 2 World Health
Organisation, “10 Facts on Obesity,” accessed April 13, 2014, http
//www.who.int/features/factfiles/obesity/facts/en/index1.html 3 United
Nations World Food Program, “Hunger,” accessed April 13, 2014, http
//www.wfp.org/hunger 4 “Who are the Hungry?” United Nations World
Food Program, http //www.wfp.org/hunger/who-are For your weekly
tutorial preparation and test you will need to cover the introductory and
background information in each hot topic ( and all the links within these
sections) . These sections will be indicated by this symbol Test questions

4. may be drawn from this information. In addition you need to examine at
least two perspectives, again identified with this symbol Within the
identified perspectives, you need to read the general information and
access all of the links. If you choose this hot topic for Assessment Task 2
you will need to explore ALL the resources and perspectives presented
here. Food security also involves the fair distribution of food under
equitable conditions. Producers, especially those in the developing world,
need to be able to get a fair price for their products infrastructure needs
to be at a level which provides access to markets and infrastructure is
required to deliver farming supplies, and, where required, food products
to those in need. In this Hot Topic, we will focus our investigation on food
security in the developing world. Background Achieving food security is a
complex issue. Food production and food distribution are separate issues,
but inextricably linked. It is not merely a matter of producing sufficient
food, although that is an increasing challenge, but also a matter of
ensuring justice in terms of access to adequate nutritious food for all
people through equity in distribution. The world needs to produce more
food, and food with adequate nutrients, to feed the present and the ever
growing population however, we are faced with enormous challenges
climate change and worsening weather conditions diminishing arable
land due to factors such as soil degradation and urban growth and
increasing demand on our finite water supply. To achieve food security at
a global level we need to be smarter and fairer efficiency and equity must
drive responses to this contemporary challenge. The following resources
provide an overview of this challenge • This Australian Government
sponsored paper, “ Global Food Security Facts, Issues and Implications”
introduces some of the major issues we face in terms of food security. •
This introductory video from Science Magazine (full captions available)
offers an overview of the issue of food security. • This article by Charles
Godfray, et. al ., “Food security The challenge of feeding Nine Billion
People ,” [Science 327 (2010 812-818) is from the special edition of
Science Magazine, mentioned in the video. It offers an excellent overview
of the issue of food security into the future. Issues raised when we

5. consider Global Food Security How best to feed the world , include the
followi ng • The role of scientific research in increasing the amount and
nutritional level of food Are farmers, especially in developing countries,
gaining access to scientific discoveries? Is the expertise of these farmers
being drawn on, for example, through partnerships between scientists
and local farmers? The results of some scientific research raise complex
issues, such a genetic modification (GM) of foods who decides? •
Conditions resulting from climate change and from soil degradation
exacerbate the difficulties of producing more food for a g rowing
population How is climate change affecting the livelihoods of people who
were once able to be self- sufficient in food prod uction? Are the
industrial societies, which are largely responsible for climate change,
adequately compensating those in the developing world who are
adversely affected by changes wrought by climate change, for example,
increased aridity and salinity? What is the nexus (connection) between
increased agricultural production and climate change? • Economic,
political and social power structures affect access to knowledge and
expertise and affect the marketing and distrib ution of food and resources
In whose in terests are global markets organised? What is the role of large
transnational companies in disseminating scientific advances to those
most in need? What role does political corruption play in local people
gaining access to production techniques and to markets? • In light of
some of the above issues, consider the article “A five-step plan to Feed
the World”, from National Geographic Magazine (May, 2014), whi ch
suggests a dramatic re -think of the way in which we produce and
distribute food (note the paragraph at the bottom of p. 35 links with the
top of p. 43 the many pages of pictures in between have been placed at
the end of the document). • What is Austra lia’ s role, as a net exporter of
food, in our region and in the wider world? Australia sees itself as playing
a vital role in ensuring global food security, both through research by the
CSIRO (click on the links to the left and view all 8 pages of this resource)
and the Office of the Chief Scientist which published an Occasional Paper
on Australia’ s Role in Global Food Security . Perspectives There are

6. various groups (“stakeholders”) that are involved in this issue in some
way . In this section, please refl ect on the information from the previous
section and from the following resources. In reviewing the information
from these sources, identify the perspectives and interests of each
stakeholder group. Consider the questions provided on the cover sheet of
thi s task in order to guide your reading. Perspective 1 Scientific Research
and Development Bodies Resources CGIAR (Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research) is an international research
consortium devoted to improving agricultural production, particularly in
the developing world. The CGIAR’ s Strategy and Results Framework gives
an overview of their vision and work. They are motivated by the desire to
improve the health and welfare of all human persons. They identify four
particular aims • Reduced rural poverty • Improved food security •
Improved nutrition and health • Sustainable managed natural resources
In this Podcast, s cientist Dr Nina F ederoff ( or read the transcript ) , advi
sor to the US Government , explores a number of possible solutions to
increasing food production . Her interview here is in response to a paper
published in Science magazine . OPTIONAL I f you have an interest in the
full article , see “Radically Rethinking Agriculture for the 21 st Century”.
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation is a leading body
in all aspects of agricultural research , again motivated by the desire to
improve life for the poorest people . Most countries have their own
research bodies e ngaged in agricultural research, such as Australia’ s
CSIRO or America’ s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. They are
concerned with ensuring the f ood security of their own people
moreover, they see the economic potential for their individual nations in
being able to export increased amounts of food to other countries which
ar e unable to feed their own populations. Ethical Questions for Reflection
Do you think that nations should share their research and development
breakthroughs with their neighbours? Do rich countries have an
obligation to assist poorer nations in their efforts to promote food
security? Perspective 2 Farmers producing food Resources Of basic
importance in the production of food is, of course , the farmer. 60% of the

7. world’ s population are farmers but levels of agricultural productivity vary
widely throughout the world. 5 The vast majority of farmers live on and
work their own land, however, in some places this is under threat from
large corporations buying up land. Proponents of small farming argue that
family farmers respect and love their land and are thus better able to care
for its long term production value. 2014 was declared by the UN as T he
Year of Family Farming. This report and podcast o n family farming (or
read th e transcript ), fr om the ABC , outlines why the UN undertook this
action. Many nations face dilemmas about how to better ensure
increased agricultural production to safeguard food security. This piece
fro m the European Centre for Development Policy management debates
some of the options. The question is Should large scale farming under
foreign investors or small scale farming by local families with better
access to land and technology be pursued in Africa? Others argue that it is
not simply a question of size but of soil improvement. 5 A.P. Central, “V
Farming Facts,” accessed April 13, 2014, http
//apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/8
655.html Another choice facing developing nations is whether to invest in
Genetically Modified crops to increase production or in improving
traditional farming methods and seed stock. This choice is currently being
debated in Uganda. Debate often revolves around the motives and role of
multinational companies which promote GM food. This article “ Feeding
the Hungry or the Greedy ” explores many aspects of the debate in
Uganda. T he article, “ A five-step plan to Feed the World” ( also linked
above, in the Background section of this Hot Topic), discusses the
interconnectedness of the natural world and ecosystems, thus
demonstrat ing the complexity of ensuring food security. Look at this
article again, with the farmers’ perspective in mind. Ethical Questions for
Reflection What are the ethical and environmental implications of small
vs. large scale farms? Should governments force their farmers to use GM
technology or allow choice? What are some of the broader implications of
GM farming? Perspective 3 International Aid and Development agencies
Resources Generally speaking, aid and development agencies advocate

8. for working with rural communities in developing countries. They aim to
better educate rural communities about agricultural practices and
introduc e simple and affordable technologies to help them participate in
building their food security by producing better and more plentiful food
crops. Such agencies would argue that communities’ participation in their
own solutions is vital to good development practice. These organisations
also tend to promote organic and sustainable agriculture , rather than the
extensive use of chemicals and genetically modified seed which are often
too expensive for poor farmers to purchase. In this short video, narrated
by Matt Damon, this approach of empowering small farmers in poor
countries to increase production is highlighted as a solution to food
security (or read t he transcript ). The United Nations Food and
Agricultural Organisation report on the “ State of Food Insecurity 2013 ”
endorses this approach of enhancing local agricultural development in
tandem with broader economic development in developing countries.
Read the “ Executive Summary ” of this report (the full report can be
found here , if you have a particular interest) . In its Save and Grow
program sustainable intensification of smallholder crop production is
advocated (read the ‘ Overview’ and watch the video). In 2011, the
Australi an Government established the Australian International Food
Security Centre which takes this approach of empowering local growers to
enhance their own production capacity. Search these sites for examples
of initiativ es to stimulate local agricultural production Oxfam Australia
Caritas Australia Catholic Relief Services Ethical Questions for Reflection
Which approach is better to give people what they desperately need or
to work with them in meeting their own needs? Is it better to promote
sustainable agriculture or practices dependent on the use of artificial
insecticides and herbicides? Perspective 4 Privately owned multinational
agribusinesses Resources Large multinational companies like Monsanto
invest a great deal of money in research and development of genetically
modified seed to boost yield production and help make crops resistant to
pests and disease. View these links (and navigate each page within the
section, using the next button on the bottom of the page), for more

9. information on how Monsanto is proposing to assist agricultural
production Why does agriculture need to be improved? What is
Monsanto doing to help? How are we doing it? BASFAgro (a multinational
chemical company specialising in fungicides, insecticides, herbicides) also
promotes the use of biotechnology. In this video, a scientist, Professor Ian
Crute , (or read t he transcript ), who works for this company, promotes
the use of biotechnology to feed the world. Ethical Questio ns for
Reflection Because these larger corporations are privately owned, their
core business is to make a return on their investment. They use things like
terminator genes in seed , which means that farmers must purchase new
seed for each crop they sow. It also means that farmers must use the
chemical pesticides and herbicides produced by that particular company
as the seed has been br ed to withstand only those products. This imposes
a heavy financial burden, especially on poor farmers in developing
countries. There are many who are suspicious of large agribusinesses’
claims to feed the world through genetic modification. Those who speak
against GM say that the genetic modification of food is a dangerous way
to go and does nothing to address issues of food distribution and access,
especially for those who are poorest and most hungry. The following
resources from Greenpeace International outline some of the main
arguments • Corporate Control of Agriculture • Risks of GE food (see also
the video linked to this page) • Feeding the World – Facts versu s Fiction
Another who questions the use of biotechnology is Sean McDonagh .
McDonagh answers “no” to the question, “Will Biotech Agriculture Feed
the World?”. Can poor subsistence farmers in developing nations afford
the cost of buying enhanced seed which has a ‘ terminator gene’ so that
seeds cannot be saved from a successful crop? Should big business control
the production of food? Perspective 5 Those who call for change in diet
and attitudes. In order to better safeguard food security into the future,
some people advocate that we need to re – think our attitudes and our
diets, particularly in the industrialised countries where obesity levels and
food wastage levels are high. Resources In this presentation , Tristram
Stuart highlights the global food waste scandal (full transcript available).

10. On this site, go to video number 2 which presents Mark Bittman (full
captions available) highlighting a number of issues, including the
overconsumpti on of red meat and its consequences, in the W estern diet.
This article from the Stanford Woods Institute for the Env ironment again
highlights a number of problems which arise from the increasing
consumption of red meat. This brief video is based on the summary of a
report on the livestock industry , by the UN Food and Agriculture
Organisation (or read the transcript ). Ethical Questions for Reflection
How much food i s wasted in your household? Do you ever think about
those who go hungry every day? Have you ever thought about the energy
used to produce the food you eat each day and the impact of that energy
consumption on the environment? Perspective 6 Christian Churches
Resources In 2008 Pope Benedict XVI addressed the participants at a high
level Conference on World Food Security organised by the UN’ s Food and
Agricultural Organisation. In his address he referred to a number of the
principles of human flourishing you have studied in this unit. The General
Secretary of the World Council of Churches issued a statement for the
same FAO Conference. Pope Benedict was also invited to address the
opening session of the World Summit on Food Security in 2009. In 2003,
the US Bishops produced a pastoral reflection on food and agriculture.
While this refers largely to an American context, note the sections on the
“signs of the times” and “Catholic Social Teaching and Agriculture”,
which discusses the principles we have been studying as they apply to this
important question. Ethical Questions There are numerous questions we
need to ask, from an ethical point of view, in relation to the issue of
Global Food Security. Many of these questions have been asked through
the examination of the various perspectives. A few more are listed here.
Can you t hink of any others? • How does commitment to the common
good inform decisions in meeting the challenge of greater efficiency and
equity in achieving food security? • How can the thinking of those of good
will in developed countries move from a position of providing donations
of food to those in developing societies to a social justice perspective,
which recognises the rights of all people to have access to techniques and

11. equipment and markets which would enable then to be self- sufficient? •
When upholding rights to intellectual property, how significant is the
common good when considering what is due to large corporations on the
one hand, and, on the other hand, the benefits of research findings to
small, local farmers in developing countries? • How significant is the
common good in deliberations on political and economic issues, such as
land tenure for small farmers, and the building of infrastructure, such as
roads, which would facilitate the transport of food? • How does one seek
to make more transparent and fair t he prices which are paid for food
products internationally? • How does one reconcile, from the perspective
of the common good , the requirements for food security and
environmental sustainability with the wastage of so much edible food?
Which approach, or combination of approaches , would most effectively
promote the common good? Consider all that you have read in this
module. Think about the history and background to the issue, and the
diversity of perspectives and interests among the various stakehold ers.
Think about the ethical questions, and how the different positions dispose
us to thinking differently about what the sta keholders should or should
not do. Now ask yourself what the best course of action would be for
securing the common good . What should multinational agribusinesses do
to bring about the common good? What should the farmers and
consumers do ? How will the common good be realized in this situation,
and who must contribute? And what about us? What should we do?
Assessment presents a critical account of an issue of social justice or the
common good. Length 2000 words or equivalent Weighting 50% TAKE
INFORMATION FROM THIS LINK http
//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFoods_(cropped).jpg By Keith
Weller, USDA ARS [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia
Commons from Wikimedia Commons Description 1. TOPIC FOR THE
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY HOW BEST TO FEED THE WORLD, USE THE LINK
ABOVE FOR INFORMATION OF THE TOPIC 2. Describe the issue (150
words) 3. Explain why this is an issue of jus tice or the common good (150
words). 4. Identify the people or groups who have a stake in the issue and

12. analyse their perspectives on it. [You should analyse at least three
perspectives.] Why may some stakeholders not want the situation to
change? (750 words) 5. Analyse the issue in terms of the common good
and the principles that promote human flourishing. (750 words). 6. In light
of your analysis, how might the common good best be served in relation
to this issue? (200 words) Learning Outcomes and Graduate Attributes
This assessment task goes towards helping you to meet • Learning
Outcome 1 Explain the concept of the ‘ common good’ and present
examples of the common good in action • Learning Outcome 2 Explain
the concepts of ‘ social justice’ and advocacy for the most vulnerable’
and their importance for the common good, and present examples •
Learning Outcome 3 present a critical account of a topic or issue in social
justice • Graduate Attribute 2 recognise their responsibility to the
common good, the environment and society • Graduate Attribute 4
think critically and reflectively • Graduate Attribute 9 demonstrate
effective communication in oral and written English language and visual
media. Criteria for assessment (See the Assessment tab in your LEO unit
for a detailed rubric with descriptors for each of these criteria) 1
Explanation of the issue as one of social justice or the common good. 10%
2 Identification of stakeholders in the issue and critical account of their
perspectives in terms of social justice, the common good and advocacy for
the most vulnerable. 30% 3 Analysis of the issue in relation to the
common good and the principles which promote human flourishing. 30%
4 Critical reflection of how the common good may best be served. 20% 5
Written and/or oral English expression including spelling and grammar.
5% 6 Consistent and correct use of selected academic referencing style.
5% TOTAL 100% 2000 word REFERENCING Students are required to use
correctly one of the following referencing systems for Task 2 • APA (in-
text referencing with reference list at the end) PLACE THIS ORDER OR A
SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT )
Topic: GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY: HOW BEST TO FEED THE WORLDOrder Description-2000
words– OPEN THE LINK IS ATTACHED IN THE FILE– FOLLOW THE MARKING CRITERIA IS

13. VERY IMPORTANT– THE ESSAY RELATES WITH COMMON GOOD AND SOCIAL
JUSTICETopic: Global Food Security: How best to feed the world?Can you think of anyother
perspectives?Perspective: ChristianChurches• What belief is held bythis group?• What
resolution wouldthey opt for?• Who would benefit?Perspective : Those who call for
change indiet and attitude• What belief is held by this group?• What resolution would
they opt for?• Who would benefit?Perspective: Multinational agribusinesses• What belief
is held by this group?• What resolution would they opt for?• Who would
benefit?Perspective: Science, research anddevelopment• What belief is held by this
group?• What resolution would they opt for?• Who would benefit?Perspective :
Farmers• What belief is held by this group?• What resolution would they opt for?• Who
would benefit?Perspective : Aid and developmentagencies• What belief is held by
thisgroup?• What resolution would theyopt for?• Who would benefit?TOPIC: Global Food
SecurityA number of resources have been provided for you in this package.Use any/ all of
the material to complete your analysis.Your Task:1. Choose one hot topic from those
presented2. Describe the issue (150 words)3. Explain why this is an issue of justice or the
common good (150 words).4. Identify the people or groups who have a st ake in the issue
and analysetheir perspectives on it. Why may some stakeholders not want thesituation to
change? (750 words)5. Analyse the issue in terms of the common good and the principles
thatpromote human flourishing. (750 words)6. In light of your ana lysis, how might the
common good best be served inrelation to this issue? (200 words).Introduction:Food is a
fundamental need and, at its best, a source of delight for all living creatures. For human
beings food is an absolute necessity for the life, health andwellbeing ofpresent generations
and the hope for future generations. Food prod uction is the most fundamental economic
activity; hospitality, the enjoyment and sharing offood, isfundamental to family life
and social cohesion.Most of us are lucky enough not to have to wonder where our next meal
is coming from. Most of us also do not actually grow or produce the food which weconsume
on adaily basis. We simply go to the supermarket to buy what we need and before us is a
vast array of choices from all over the world . This may mean that we do notget
anadequate sense of a number of important issues around
food.The production and distribution of food sufficient to meet the needs of the world’ s
population has always been a challenge. Insufficient food, and hunger, isone aspect
ofpoverty and its attendant ills, a fact recognised in the United Nations’ Millennium
Declaration ( see section III, pp 4 -5). The first of the Millennium
Developmentgoals is the“ eradication of extreme poverty and hunger” by 2015 . Read
this fact sheet for more information on this important goal.Food security involves
increasing the production of food world-wi de to meet the needs of a global population,
which, it is estimated, will rise to over nine billionpeople by2050,1yet fewer people today
are farmers than ever before in history. While over half a billion people around the world
are conside red to be obes e,2over 800 millionpeople are undernourished.3The vast
majority of the world’ s population, and around 98% of its hungry population, live in the
developing world.4Most of the world’ sfarmers also live in the developing world. These
farmers, who are typi cally without political and economic power, need to have access to
land and to the benefitsofagricultural and related sciences to improve their yields and the

14. nutritional value of the foods they produce.1Worldometers “ World Population: Past,
Present and Future,” accessed April 13, 2014, http://www.worldometers.info/world -
population/2World Health Organisation, “ 10 Facts on Obesity,” accessed April 13,
2014, http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/obesity/facts/en/index1.html3United
Nations World Food Program, “ Hunger,” accessed April 13,
2014, http://www.wfp.org/hunger4“ Who are the Hungry?” United Nations World Food
Program, http://www.wfp.org/hunger/who-areFor your weekly tutorial preparation and
test you will need to cover the introductory and background information in each hot topic
( and all the links withinthesesections) . These sections will be indicated by this
symbol: Test questions may be drawn from this information.In addition you need to
examine at least two perspectives, again identified with this symbol:Within the identified
perspectives, you need to read the general information and access all of the links. If you
choose this hot topic for Assessment Task 2 youwillneed to explore ALL the resources and
perspectives presented here.Food security also involves the fair distribution of food under
equitable conditions. Producers, especially those in the developing world, need to be able to
get afair pricefor their products; infrastructure needs to be at a level which provides access
to markets; and infrastructure is required to deliver farming supplies, and,
whererequired,food products to those in need.In this Hot Topic, we will focus our
investigation on food security in the developing world.Background:Achieving food security
is a complex issue. Food production and food distribution are separate issues, but
inextricably linked. It is not merely a matter ofproducing sufficientfood, although that is an
increasing challenge, but also a matter of ensuring justice in terms of access to adequate
nutritious food for all people through equityindistribution.The world needs to produce
more food, and food with adequate nutrients, to feed the present and the ever growing
population; however, we are faced withenormouschallenges: climate change and worsening
weather conditions; diminishing arable land due to factors such as soil degradation and
urban growth; and increasingdemand onour finite water supply.To achieve food security at
a global level we need to be smarter and fairer: efficiency and equity must drive
responses to this contemporary challenge.The following resources provide an overview of
this challenge:• This Australian Government sponsored paper, “ Global Food Security:
Facts, Issues and Implications” introduces some of the major issues we face in terms
offoodsecurity.• This introductory video from Science Magazine (full captions
available) offers an overview of the issue of food security.• This article by Charles Godfray,
et. al ., “ Food security: The challenge of feeding Nine Billion People ,” [Science 327 (2010:
812-818) is from the special edition ofScienceMagazine, mentioned in the video. It offers an
excellent overview of the issue of food security into the future.Issues raised when we
consider Global Food Security: How best to feed the world , include the followi ng:• The
role of scientific research in increasing the amount and nutritional level of food: Are
farmers, especially in developing countries, gaining access to scientificdiscoveries? Is the
expertise of these farmers being drawn on, for example, through partnerships between
scientists and local farmers? The results of somescientificresearch raise complex issues,
such a genetic modification (GM) of foods: who decides?• Conditions resulting from
climate change and from soil degradation exacerbate the difficulties of producing more food

15. for a g rowing population: How is climatechangeaffecting the livelihoods of people who
were once able to be self- sufficient in food prod uction? Are the industrial societies, which
are largely responsible for climatechange, adequately compensating those in the developing
world who are adversely affected by changes wrought by climate change, for example,
increased aridityandsalinity? What is the nexus (connection) between increased
agricultural production and climate change?• Economic, political and social power
structures affect access to knowledge and expertise and affect the marketing and distrib
ution of food and resources: Inwhosein terests are global markets organised? What is the
role of large transnational companies in disseminating scientific advances to those most in
need? What roledoespolitical corruption play in local people gaining access to production
techniques and to markets?• In light of some of the above issues, consider the article “ A
five-step plan to Feed the World” , from National Geographic Magazine (May, 2014), whi
ch suggestsadramatic re -think of the way in which we produce and distribute food (note:
the paragraph at the bottom of p. 35 links with the top of p. 43; the many pages ofpicturesin
between have been placed at the end of the document).• What is Austra lia’ s role, as a net
exporter of food, in our region and in the wider world? Australia sees itself as playing a
vital role in ensuring global foodsecurity, boththrough research by the CSIRO (click on the
links to the left and view all 8 pages of this resource) and the Office of the Chief Scientist
which published anOccasionalPaper on Australia’ s Role in Global Food Security
.Perspectives:There are various groups (“ stakeholders” ) that are involved in this issue in
some way . In this section, please refl ect on the information from the previous sectionand
fromthe following resources. In reviewing the information from these sources, identify the
perspectives and interests of each stakeholder group. Consider the questionsprovided on
the cover sheet of thi s task in order to guide your reading.Perspective 1:Scientific Research
and DevelopmentBodiesResourcesCGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research) is an international research consortium devoted to improvingagricultural
production, particularly in the developing world.The CGIAR’ s Strategy and Results
Framework gives an overview of their vision and work. They are motivated by the desire
toimprove the health and welfare of all human persons. They identify four particular
aims:• Reduced rural poverty• Improved food security• Improved nutrition and
health• Sustainable managed natural resourcesIn this Podcast, s cientist Dr Nina F ederoff (
or read the transcript ) , advi sor to the US Government , explores a number of
possiblesolutions to increasing food production . Her interview here is in response to a
paper published in Science magazine .OPTIONAL: I f you have an interest in the full article
, see: “ Radically Rethinking Agriculture for the 21stCentury” .The United Nations Food and
Agricultural Organisation is a leading body in all aspects of agricultural research , again
motivatedby the desire to improve life for the poorest people .Most countries have their
own research bodies e ngaged in agricultural research, such as Australia’ s CSIRO or
America’ s NationalInstitute of Food and Agriculture. They are concerned with ensuring
the f ood security of their own people; moreover, they seethe economic potential for their
individual nations in being able to export increased amounts of food to other countries
whichar e unable to feed their own populations.Ethical Questions for ReflectionDo you think
that nations should share their research and development breakthroughs with their

16. neighbours?Do rich countries have an obligation to assist poorer nations in their efforts to
promote food security?Perspective 2:Farmers producing foodResourcesOf basic
importance in the production of food is, of course , the farmer. 60% of the world’ s
population are farmers but levels ofagricultural productivity vary widely throughout the
world.5The vast majority of farmers live on and work their own land,however, in some
places this is under threat from large corporations buying up land. Proponents of small
farming argue thatfamily farmers respect and love their land and are thus better able to
care for its long term production value. 2014 was declaredby the UN as T he Year of Family
Farming. This report and podcast o n family farming (or read th e transcript ), fr om the
ABC ,outlines why the UN undertook this action.Many nations face dilemmas about how to
better ensure increased agricultural production to safeguard food security. Thispiece fro m
the European Centre for Development Policy management debates some of the options.
The question is: Shouldlarge scale farming under foreign investors or small scale farming
by local families with better access to land and technology bepursued in Africa? Others
argue that it is not simply a question of size but of soil improvement.5A.P. Central, “ V
Farming Facts,” accessed April 13, 2014,
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/8655.htmlAno
ther choice facing developing nations is whether to invest in Genetically Modified crops to
increase production or inimproving traditional farming methods and seed stock. This choice
is currently being debated in Uganda. Debate often revolvesaround the motives and role of
multinational companies which promote GM food. This article “ Feeding the Hungry or
theGreedy ” explores many aspects of the debate in Uganda.T he article, “ A five-step plan
to Feed the World” ( also linked above, in the Background section of this Hot
Topic), discusses theinterconnectedness of the natural world and
ecosystems, thus demonstrat ing the complexity of ensuring food security. Look atthis
article again, with the farmers’ perspective in mind.Ethical Questions for ReflectionWhat
are the ethical and environmental implications of small vs. large scale farms?Should
governments force their farmers to use GM technology or allow choice? What are some of
the broader implications ofGM farming?Perspective 3:International Aid and
DevelopmentagenciesResourcesGenerally speaking, aid and development agencies advocate
for working with rural communities in developing countries. Theyaim to better educate
rural communities about agricultural practices and introduc e simple and affordable
technologies to helpthem participate in building their food security by producing better
and more plentiful food crops. Such agencies would arguethat communities’ participation
in their own solutions is vital to good development practice. These organisations also tend
topromote organic and sustainable agriculture , rather than the extensive use of chemicals
and genetically modified seed whichare often too expensive for poor farmers to purchase.In
this short video, narrated by Matt Damon, this approach of empowering small farmers in
poor countries to increaseproduction is highlighted as a solution to food security (or read
t he transcript ).The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation report on the “
State of Food Insecurity 2013 ” endorses this approach ofenhancing local agricultural
development in tandem with broader economic development in developing countries. Read
the“ Executive Summary ” of this report (the full report can be found here , if you have a

17. particular interest) . In its Save and Growprogram sustainable intensification of
smallholder crop production is advocated (read the ‘ Overview’ and watch the video).In
2011, the Australian Government established the Australian International Food Security
Centre which takes this approach ofempowering local growers to enhance
their own production capacity.Search these sites for examples of initiativ es to stimulate
local agricultural production :Oxfam AustraliaCaritas AustraliaCatholic Relief
ServicesEthical Questions for ReflectionWhich approach is better: to give people what they
desperately need or to work with them in meeting their own needs? Is itbetter to promote
sustainable agriculture or practices dependent on the use of artificial insecticides and
herbicides?Perspective 4 :Privately owned multinationalagribusinessesResourcesLarge
multinational companies like Monsanto invest a great deal of money in research and
development of genetically modifiedseed to boost yield production and help make crops
resistant to pests and disease. View these links (and navigate each pagewithin the section,
using the next button on the bottom of the page), for more information on how Monsanto
is proposing toassist agricultural production:Why does agriculture need to be
improved?What is Monsanto doing to help?How are we doing it?BASFAgro (a
multinational chemical company specialising in fungicides, insecticides, herbicides) also
promotes the use ofbiotechnology. In this video, a scientist, Professor Ian Crute , (or read t
he transcript ), who works for this company, promotes theuse of biotechnology to feed the
world.Ethical Questio ns for ReflectionBecause these larger corporations are privately
owned, their core business is to make a return on their investment. They usethings like
terminator genes in seed , which means that farmers must purchase new seed for each crop
they sow. It also meansthat farmers must use the chemical pesticides and herbicides
produced by that particular company as the seed has been br edto withstand only those
products. This imposes a heavy financial burden, especially on poor farmers in developing
countries.There are many who are suspicious of large agribusinesses’ claims to feed the
world through genetic modification. Those whospeak against GM say that the genetic
modification of food is a dangerous way to go and does nothing to address issues of
fooddistribution and access, especially for those who are poorest and most hungry. The
following resources from GreenpeaceInternational outline some of the main
arguments:• Corporate Control of Agriculture• Risks of GE food (see also the video linked
to this page)• Feeding the World – Facts versu s FictionAnother who questions the use of
biotechnology is Sean McDonagh . McDonagh answers “ no” to the question,
“ Will BiotechAgriculture Feed the World?” .Can poor subsistence farmers in developing
nations afford the cost of buying enhanced seed which has a ‘ terminator gene’ sothat
seeds cannot be saved from a successful crop? Should big business control the production of
food?Perspective 5:Those who call for change in diet andattitudes.In order to better
safeguard food security into the future, some people advocate that we need to re – think
our attitudes and ourdiets, particularly in the industrialised countries where obesity levels
and food wastage levels are high.ResourcesIn this presentation , Tristram Stuart highlights
the global food waste scandal (full transcript available).On this site, go to video number 2
which presents Mark Bittman (full captions available) highlighting a number of
issues,including the overconsumpti on of red meat and its consequences, in the W estern

18. diet.This article from the Stanford Woods Institute for the Env ironment again highlights a
number of problems which arise from theincreasing consumption of red meat.This brief
video is based on the summary of a report on the livestock industry , by the UN Food and
Agriculture Organisation (orread the transcript ).Ethical Questions for ReflectionHow
much food i s wasted in your household?Do you ever think about those who go hungry
every day?Have you ever thought about the energy used to produce the food you eat each
day and the impact of that energy consumptionon the environment?Perspective
6:Christian ChurchesResourcesIn 2008 Pope Benedict XVI addressed the participants at a
high level Conference on World Food Security organised by the UN’ sFood and
Agricultural Organisation. In his address he referred to a number of the principles of human
flourishing you havestudied in this unit. The General Secretary of the World Council of
Churches issued a statement for the same FAO Conference.Pope Benedict was also invited
to address the opening session of the World Summit on Food Security in 2009.In
2003, the US Bishops produced a pastoral reflection on food and agriculture. While this
refers largely to an American context,note the sections on the “ signs of the times” and
“ Catholic Social Teaching and Agriculture” , which discusses the principles wehave been
studying as they apply to this important question.Ethical Questions:There are numerous
questions we need to ask, from an ethical point of view, in relation to the issue of Global
Food Security. Many of these questions have beenaskedthrough the examination of the
various perspectives. A few more are listed here. Can you t hink of any others?• How does
commitment to the common good inform decisions in meeting the challenge of
greater efficiency and equity in achieving food security?• How can the thinking of those
of good will in developed countries move from a position of providing donations of food to
those in developing societies to asocial justice perspective, which recognises the rights of all
people to have access to techniques and equipment and markets which would enable then
to be self-sufficient?• When upholding rights to intellectual property, how significant is
the common good when considering what is due to large corporations on the one hand,
and,on the other hand, the benefits of research findings to small, local farmers in developing
countries?• How significant is the common good in deliberations on political and
economic issues, such as land tenure for small farmers, and the building of
infrastructure,such as roads, which would facilitate the transport of food?• How does one
seek to make more transparent and fair t he prices which are paid for food products
internationally?• How does one reconcile, from the perspective of the common good , the
requirements for food security and environmental sustainability with the wastage of
somuch edible food?Which approach, or combination of approaches , would most
effectively promote the common good?Consider all that you have read in this module. Think
about the history and background to the issue, and the diversity of perspectives and
interests among thevariousstakehold ers. Think about the ethical questions, and how the
different positions dispose us to thinking differently about what the sta keholders should or
shouldnot do.Now ask yourself what the best course of action would be for securing the
common good . What should multinational agribusinesses do to bring about thecommon
good?What should the farmers and consumers do ? How will the common good be realized
in this situation, and who must contribute?And what about us? What

19. should we do?Assessment: presents a critical account of an issue of social justice or the
common good.Length 2000 words or equivalent Weighting 50%TAKE INFORMATION
FROM THIS LINK:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFoods_(cropped).jpgBy
Keith Weller, USDA ARS [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons from
Wikimedia CommonsDescription1. TOPIC FOR THE ESSAY : GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY: HOW
BEST TO FEED THE WORLD, USE THE LINK ABOVE FOR INFORMATION OF THE TOPIC2.
Describe the issue (150 words)3. Explain why this is an issue of justice or the common good
(150 words).4. Identify the people or groups who have a stake in the issue and analyse their
perspectives on it. [You should analyse at least three perspectives.] Why may
somestakeholders not want the situation to change? (750 words)5. Analyse the issue in
terms of the common good and the principles that promote human flourishing. (750
words).6. In light of your analysis, how might the common good best be served in relation to
this issue? (200 words)Learning Outcomes and Graduate AttributesThis assessment task
goes towards helping you to meet:• Learning Outcome 1: Explain the concept of the
‘ common good’ and present examples of the common good in action;• Learning Outcome
2: Explain the concepts of ‘ social justice’ and advocacy for the most vulnerable’ and their
importance for the common good, and presentexamples;• Learning Outcome 3: present a
critical account of a topic or issue in social justice;• Graduate Attribute 2: recognise their
responsibility to the common good, the environment and society;• Graduate Attribute 4:
think critically and reflectively;• Graduate Attribute 9: demonstrate effective
communication in oral and written English language and visual media.Criteria for
assessment (See the Assessment tab in your LEO unit for a detailed rubric with descriptors
for each of these criteria) 1 Explanation of the issueas one of social justice or the common
good. 10%2 Identification of stakeholders in the issue and critical account of their
perspectives in terms of social justice, the common good and advocacy for themost
vulnerable. 30%3 Analysis of the issue in relation to the common good and the
principles which promote human flourishing. 30%4 Critical reflection of how the
common good may best be served. 20%5 Written and/or oral English expression
including spelling and grammar. 5%6 Consistent and correct use of selected academic
referencing style. 5%TOTAL 100%2000 word essayREFERENCINGStudents are
required to use correctly one of the following referencing systems for Task 2:• APA (in-text
referencing with reference list at the end)ORDER TODAY YOUR PAPER WITH SIMILAR
INSTRUCTIONS AND WE WILL WRITE YOUR PAPER FROM SCRATCH