10-17 October 2010 was an important week to focus on food. The week included the International Day for Rural Women (15 October); World Food Day (16 October); International day for Eradication of Poverty (17 October) and the FAO Committee on Food Security (11-16 October). These events took place shortly after the FAO and the UN World Food Programme announced that an estimated 925 million people suffer from chronic hunger. While this 2010 estimate is a small decline from the 1.023 estimated in 2009, it is tragically apparent that the food crisis is still acute for one-sixth of the world’s population.
The outcome document of the MDG Summit claims that “successes have been made in combating extreme poverty”. Yet with only five years left to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, the far greater challenge still lies ahead. This calls for a profound turnaround in international food and nutrition policies and practices towards a rights-based approach. As EAA members and partners, we are called to continue to work together to expose and eradicate the causes of hunger and engage more as we prepare for the 2011 Week of Action, which is again set for 10-17 October.
EAA members and partners engaged in many activities during the 2010 Churches Week of Action on Food including organizing worship services, letter writing campaigns, launching the Food and Nutrition Watch in several countries, public seminars and more.
Here are some highlights:
Worship at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva
The US Food Crisis Working Group, to which the Presbyterian Church of the USA (PCUSA) is a member of, launched the US Food Sovereignty Alliance during the week. The Presbyterian Church promoted the week among its congregations and networks.
The Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA) held a “feed my people advocacy and lobby event” in Abuja, Nigeria on October 9 – 14 with participation from 25 senior West African church leaders.
The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church (FELM) organized a seminar on 13 October on how to ensure the right of every African woman to access land. The seminar involved church, government and civil society representatives.
The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church in the United States promoted the Week of Action.
Launch of the Right to Food and Nutrition Watch in Geneva, Helsinki, and many other countries.
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines organized a letter writing campaign. The activity ended with a fellowship lunch. Various local churches in Metro Manila also integrated the liturgy in their Sunday Services. Prayer cards were also distributed to various congregations.
A news report will also be uploaded in the NCCP website. Bread for the World in Germany organized a press conference on land grabbing, 12 October, Berlin, Germany and invited churches to participate in the week of action and offered them a postcard to sign under the heading "Who wants to fill his car with hunger?"
Economic Justice Network of FOCCISA planned seminars, marches, workshops, press conferences and worship services in South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa and Zambia.
The Women's World Day of Prayer - German Committee promoted the Week in preparation for the 2011 World Day of Prayer.
More updates available at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Food-for-Life-Campaign-Ecumenical-Advocacy-Alliance/226013162921
