A large set of different roles needs to be filled in any sector or across any sectors, and the nutrition and food security areas are no exception (Table 6-1). Owing to historical and other factors, there is persistent confusion and sometimes conflict around which institutions play which roles and how they do that together.

One role could be characterized as that of setting norms. In this area, the World Health Organization undertakes work, and the UN Standing Committee on Nutrition also acts as a forum for UN agencies to discuss topics on this subject.

Research activity is principally being undertaken by academic institutions and in specialized research institutions. Generally, research is quite widely disseminated but often without a defined role to play in policy and programmatic decisions.