A proper assessment of the activity of the institute cannot be fully given without being subjective. However, from the perspective of the information in the interview, it can be said that the organization has a growing impact; yet, taking into account the gravity of the issues they face, this impact is not sufficient for solving the problems in a specific limit of time. Furthermore, due to the fact that the financial resources are not unlimited, there needs to be more visible results in order to justify the efforts, both human and financial ones.
The most visible effects of the activities of the Institute are the studies conducted as well as the different articles which discuss issues of utmost interest especially for the one actively involved in the projects. Nonetheless, despite these efforts, conferences and articles are not enough.
The seminars, the research projects, as well as the different discussions on various issues are essential because they aim to create a particular idea for the civic society. Still these activities are undergone at a level that cannot create other effects than the actual creation of a civil society aware of the challenges faced by the community. In this sense, having in mind the interview with John, it is important that more action be taken at the practical level as well. Indeed, it is rather difficult to consider on sight projects with a budget that is largely based on donations. Nonetheless, the activity of the Institute can develop into a partnership with other institutions that can put their ideas in practice and that can help them develop their initiatives.
Moreover, the institute must also focus on increasing their visibility in the field of their activity. As pointed out by John, once people become aware of the existence of the institute they want to get involved. The problem is however that the institute is not visible and often their message does not break the barrier of academic conferences.
In this situation it is considered that the main questions raised by the Institute are not direct problems facing the Americans. Still, with a proper communication strategy the Institute can provide the entire array of issues it tackles. Thus, the population would be interested also in aspects such as bio fuels, organic food, or the environment, aspects which affect the U.S. In particular as a result of globalization. In this way, the Institute could attract the needed attention for its projects and its cause.
Overall, it can be said that the activity of the Institute is quite important for the way in which it manages to address the issues that affect the poor in the U.S. And in the world. In time, it can come to develop a new and implicated civil society, one which is aware of the need for getting more and more involved in the situation of the global community. Nonetheless, in order to have a powerful impact on the society the Institute should reconsider its communication campaign and the way in which it tries to send its message across. Even so the presence of the Institute is an important asset for the activist movement around the world.
Works Cited
Cater, Nick. "African NGOs Urge More Aid Through Local Agencies." Global Policy Forum. 2004. 7 July 2008, http://www.globalpolicy.org/ngos/fund/2004/1221africangos.htm
FAO. "2005 Report on Hunger." FAO Stats. 2005. 7 July, 2008. http://www.fao.org/faostat/foodsecurity/MDG/MDG-Goal1_en.pdf
Food First. Become a Food First Intern or Volunteer. 2008. 7 July 2008. http://www.foodfirst.org/en/intern#intro
Food First. Programs. 2008. 7 July 2008, http://www.foodfirst.org/en/about/programs
Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy. Mission. 2008. 7 July 2008. http://www.foodfirst.org/en/about/mission
