long haul in research that equips them to make decisions about agriculture that fit within their societies, environments and economies.

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Technologies used in agriculture, including genetics and genomics, are controversial. Today we understand the environmental damage caused by some of the very methods that were seen as solutions back then. And today we in the developed world lack the political will to invest in agricultural development for developing countries.

For all of these reasons, we must look to philanthropic foundations and others of vision and means to step up to this challenge. With their resources and broad commitment to a better quality of life throughout the world, they can provide the leadership and money that will again draw public interest – and, in time, governmental commitment – to investment in agricultural advances in the poorer nations.

These nations need strong public institutions for agriculture and significant additional investments in research.

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History shows the political consequences of hunger, disease and starvation in the human family. The scale of disaster that could result from agriculture’s failure in the less developed countries would far exceed anything we have experienced.

(By Robert M. Goodman, The Times, 2001).

13 Discuss the following questions in groups:

oIs there any connection between economic situation in the country and its social problems? Give examples.

oDoes the political system have any influence on the social welfare policy and social programs of the country?

oWhat is the role of the governments of developing countries and the world community in solving social problems these countries face? What actions should they implement to improve the situation? What fields of life should be paid more attention to?

14 Use the information below and think which of these actions should be done by international communities or organizations and which by national governments? Back up your opinion.

International Communities and National Governments

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