Shortly after the world learnt that Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated I heard a news bulletin in which it was reported that the UN Security Council had gone into emergency session to discuss the developments. I found myself snorting derisively: what on earth would that achieve? But never mind. That should change this year. For the UN has taken time out from wringing its hands about international terrorism, shocking genocide, modern-day slavery and the status of the nuclear programmes of its more awkward members to make a big announcement: 2008 is the International Year of the Potato.
This is no sideshow. The decision was set out in a General Assembly resolution back in 2005. The UN doesn’t give over an entire year to any old issue. Since 1960, when the programme kicked off with the year of refugees, the spotlight has been shone on many important causes for humankind. We have had the year of the child, women, older persons, disabled persons, anti-apartheid, culture of peace, mountains and the ocean, to name but a few. Now it is time for Solanum tuberosum, the king of carbs, to be similarly honoured.
The International Year of the Potato, or IYP as it is known on the UN’s website, “will serve as a catalyst for information exchange and the initiation of medium and long-term programmes of potato development”. The UN wants to see “heightened global awareness” of this all but forgotten tuber.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
