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Letter

The Honorable Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General
The United Nations Headquarters
New York, NY 10017
USA

Your Excellency:

We are writing to you as religious leaders and leaders of faith-based organizations all over the world who on this day are launching a global campaign on food in order to overcome hunger and to improve livelihoods in harmony with creation and social justice.

For the whole of humanity, access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food has always formed one of the foundations of a just, peaceful and sustainable world. This vision stands in contrast to the reality of a world in which nearly a billion people lack such access. This brutal injustice is underlined when we consider that at this moment we already produce enough nutritious food to feed everyone on the planet. How we produce food, how we distribute it and how we ensure that all people have access to culturally-appropriate nourishment is a fundamental matter of justice towards all people.

As you are well aware, the world faces acute crises today – manifested in the severity of the economic crisis, sharp increases and very volatile prices of food, and documented effects from climate change. These crises are interlinked and will have a severe impact on the most vulnerable groups in the developing countries.

Although the multiple crises have been acknowledged by international and national bodies, the responses most often proposed are woefully inadequate. Our systems for producing, buying, selling and sharing food are profoundly broken, and more of the same will not help. We need to recognize that policies and practices of governments, international organizations and agribusiness have been central parts of the problem and we must accept that hunger is being caused by fractures in the structure of our global society. The good news is that, working together, we can change these policies, practices and structures.

Foundational to our approach is the right to food, which resonates with our biblical understandings of justice that all people have access to the means and ability to procure sufficient and nutritious food for themselves without sacrificing other fundamental rights such as housing, education and health. We believe all governments are required to ensure the right to food is protected and fulfilled. These are fundamental steps to reaching the Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015.

We are writing to express our appreciation for your call to include the right to food as the “third pillar” within the Comprehensive Framework for Action (along with food assistance and safety nets, and the improvement of small holder agriculture). Your call on governments at the High Level Meeting on Food Security for All in Madrid (27 January 2009) to recognize the central role of the right to food – as the basis for analysis, action and accountability was a sign of strong leadership.

We write now to ask that you ensure this vision is converted into practical and tangible action.

The four year campaign we launch today, will mobilize people all over the world through their churches and Christian organizations to advocate for:

• Just food production systems
• Just and sustainable consumption
• Realization of the right to food for all people

“Give us this day our daily bread” is a petition repeated by millions of Christians around the world every day as they pray the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer, surrounded by the Biblical narrative that calls us to care for humanity and all of Creation, leads us to provide food to those who are in immediate and dire need, and simultaneously work to expose and eradicate the causes of hunger.

Be assured of our support of efforts to realize the right to food and to reflect on, critique, and act against the systems that lead to pervasive and debilitating hunger.

Yours in faith,

Signatures

Richard Fee, General Secretary, The Presbyterian Church in Canada and Chair, Board of Directors, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance

Linda Hartke, Coordinator, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance

Jill Hawkey, Director, ACT Development

John Nduna, Director, ACT International

Cor van den Brand, Missionary of Africa, President, and the network members of Africa-Europe Network, The Netherlands

Cornelia Füllkrug-Weitzel, Director, Bread for the World, Germany

Rev. Dr Beat Dietschy, General Secretary, Brot für Alle, Switzerland

Aoutene Akissita Alouatchou, Président de COGECAC (Comité de Gestion des coopératives Agricoles et Commerciales), Togo

Rev Canon Grace Kaiso, General Secretary, Council for Anglican Provinces of Africa, Kenya

Dr Prawate Khid-arn, General Secretary, Christian Conference of Asia

Pauline McKay, National Director, Christian World Service, Aotearoa New Zealand

John L. McCullough, Executive Director, Church World Service, USA

Nomabelu Mvambo-Dandala, Executive Director, Diakonia Council of Churches

Mr Bernd Nilles, Secretary General, CIDSE (an international alliance of Catholic development agencies), Belgium

Elenora Giddings Ivory, Director, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, World Council of Churches

The Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary, Conference of European Churches

G. Gregory Gay, C.M., Superior General, Congregation of the Mission, Italy

Alberto Marxuach, President, Crescendo Worldwide Network

Malcolm Damon, Executive Director, Economic Justice Network of FOCCISA, South Africa

Mr Antti Pentikäinen, Director, Finn Church Aid, Finland

Victor Touch Prodigo, Executive Director, Association of Globally-Competitive Ilonggos for Environment and Enterprise, Iloilo, Philippines

Heikki Huttunen, General Secretary, Finnish Ecumenical Council

Rev. Dr. Seppo Rissanen, Executive Director, The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission

Thomas N. Barasa, Co-ordinator/Executive Director, Food and Trade Network for East Africa, Kenya

General Board Sisters of Charity, The Netherlands

General Board and the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Kenya, Belgium, Brazil, California, East-Timor, Namibia and Surinam

Ueli Locher, Director, HEKS-EPER, Switzerland

ICCO – Interchurch organization for development cooperation, The Netherlands

George Dixon Fernandez, International President of MIJARC (International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth), Belgium

Rev. Kathy Galloway, Leader, The Iona Community, Scotland, United Kingdom

Karam Saber, Executive Manager, Land Center for Human Rights, Egypt

Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary, The Lutheran World Federation

Ms. Isabel Richardson, Director, Madras Christian Council of Social Services, India

Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr., General Secretary, National Council of Churches in the Philippines

Claudette Werleigh, Secretary General, Pax Christi International

The Right Rev. Dr Graham Redding, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Mr Justin Kilcullen, Director, Trócaire, Ireland

Louise Cleary, Acting Coordinator, UNANIMA International

Laurent Mortreuil, General Secretary, Uniapac, International Christian Union of Business Leaders, Belgium

Jacqueline Gascuel, Secrétaire Générale, UNISAHEL, France

Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ, USA

Josie Kamara Cole, Director, United Youth for Success and Development, Sierra Leone

Bernadette Cantenot, Présidente, Vie Montante Internationale, France

Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, General Secretary, World Alliance of Reformed Churches

Dr Bart Shaha, Secretary General, World Alliance of YMCAs

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary, World YWCA

Rev. Michael Wallace, General Secretary, World Student Christian Federation,

Roel Aalbersberg, ICCOenKerkinactie, The Netherlands

Ivan M. Abrahams, Methodist Church of Southern Africa

Tamara Appel-Cless, Brot für die Welt, Germany

Pauliina Arola, Director of International Cooperation, Finn Church Aid

Miges Baumann, Bread for All, Switzerland

Sister Marlette Black pbvm, International Presentation Organization, Australia

Rev. Andy Bowerman, International Board Member, Tearfund, United Kingdom

Carolin Callenius, Coordinator for the Food Security Campaign, Bread for the World, Germany

Ms. Minnie Anne M. Calub, Program Secretary, Program Unit on Faith, Witness and Service, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Philippines

Nancy Cardoso Pereira, Methodist Church, Brazil

Else-Marie Carlbäcker, Coordinator for Development Cooperation, Mission Covenant Church, Sweden

Sister Pam Chiesa, PBVM, President, Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco, USA

Peter Cowley, Social Justice Group, St. Andrew's On the Terrace Presbyterian Church, Wellington, New Zealand

Lois McCullough Dalway, Women’s Division, The United Methodist Church, USA

Colani Sibusiso Dlamini, Income Generation and Microfinance Manager, Lutheran Development Service, Swaziland

Louis O. Dorvilier, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, USA

Claude Drui, AEFJN France/Pôle de Strasbourg, France

Cheryl Dudley, USA

Kristiina Erelä, Regional Development Coordinator, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, Angola

Rev. B. Hunter Farrell, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Inez Fernandez, Justice Contact, Presentation Sisters, Zambia

Jonathan Fletcher, Consultant, former National Director, Christian World Service Aotearoa, New Zealand

Rev Jan M Fogg, Hornby/Riccarton Methodist Church, Methodist Church of New Zealand

Christine Fouarge, Policy Officer, AEFJN (Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network), Belgium

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd  - Special Consultative Status, Geneva and New York

Etienne Founadoudou, Association pour le Developpement Economique, Social et Environemental (ADESE), Cameroun

Aruna Gnanadason, Executive Director, Planning and Integration, World Council of Churches, Switzerland

Thorsten Göbel, Referent Grundsatz und Entwicklungspolitik / Senior Head of Policy Desk, Germany

Rev. Amy Gopp, Week of Compassion, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), USA

Margareta Grape, Church of Sweden

Lois Greene, PBVM, Justice Contact, Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation, Canada

Rev. Christo Greyling, HIV Advisor on Faith Partnerships, World Vision International, The Netherlands

Paul Hagerman, Policy Manager, Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Sabine Harles, Board, for the World Day of Prayer – German Committee

Rev. Janne Hatakka, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, Namibia

Sister Marge Healy, Dubuque Presentation Coordinator for Peace and Justice, USA

Dr H.F. Hinfelaar, M.Afr, White Fathers-Missionary of Africa, Catholic Church, The Netherlands

Rev. Henry C. Hoeben s.m.a., Society of African Missions, The Netherlands

Rev. George Hooijer, Sec. for Projects, Stichting Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Juliet Ilunga, Social & Economic Justice Officer, Council of Churches in Zambia, Zambia

International Presentation Network, India

Maria Immonen, Director for Development Cooperation, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, Finland

Sr.Josephine Isabella, Presentation sisters, Zambia

Edwin M. John, Director, Neighbourhood Comunity Network(NCN), India

Daniel Jones, Secure Livelihoods / Food Security Strategy Leader, Christian Aid, United Kingdom

Seppo Kalliokoski, Coordinator for Advocacy, The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, Finland

Sister Mary Kealy, Justice contact person, United States Province of the Union of Presentation Sisters

Alison Kelly, Christian Aid, United Kingdom

Eeva Kemppi-Repo, Director for Communication, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission

Georgine Kenge Djeutane, Regional Secretary, WSCF, Kenya

Sr. Maris Stella Korb, Fargo Presentation Peace & Justice Center, USA

Rev. Tim Kuschneros, Church Development Service (EED), Germany

Rev. Carmen Lansdowne, United Church of Canada, Graduate Theological Union, USA

Fr. Paul Lansu, Senior Policy Advisor, Pax Christi International, Belgium

Rebecca Larson, Executive Director, Church in Society, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sari Lehtelä, Communication Officer, The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission

Rev. Dr Tapio Leskinen, Deputy Director, Department for Foreign Cooperation, The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission

Andrew Luxford, Leadership Team, Wellspring Community Church, UK

Erik Lysen, Church of Sweden

Oliver Märtin, Church Development Service (EED), Germany

Jacques Matthey, staff, World Council of Churches, Switzerland

Kathleen McNeely, Program Coordinator: Faith Economy Ecology, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, USA

Faviola Antequera Melgar, General Secretary of the International Movement of Apostolate of Children (IMAC)

Jacqui Miles, Wellington, New Zealand

Kerstin Molannder, Church of Sweden

Sylvester Moono, Project Manager, Community Care Projects, Zambia

Dr John Moore, Methodist Local Preacher, Church of the Nativity, United Kingdom

Philo Morris, Medical Mission Sisters, USA

David H. Mueller, Regional Representative, The Lutheran World Federation, Cambodia

Eka Rani Munthe, Trainer, Simalungun Protestant Christian Church, Indonesia

Angeline Munzara, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Community Technology Development Trust, Zimbabwe

Eliud Njeru, Director, Anglican Church of Kenya, Directorate of Social Services, Kenya

Esther Oettli, Head of the International Division, HEKS-EPER, Switzerland

Sr. Maureen O' Connell, Co-ordinator, Presentation Justice Network, Ireland

Ronald Otieno Omondi, Nyando District Youth Initiative, Kenya

Seong Won Park Professor of Theology and Central Committee Member, World Council of Churches

Remedios Luna Pastor, Coordinadora, Antena de Madrid, Red África Europa Fe y Justicia, España

H.v.d. Paverd, Missionary of Africa, Roman Catholic, The Netherlands

Sr. Joan Power, Coordinator, Presentation Sisters Justice Ministry, Australia

Dr José Pablo Prado Córdova, President of the Board, YMCA of Guatemala, Guatemala

Presentation Sisters IPA Justice Team, Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA

Sheila Pritchard, Ponsonby Baptist Church, New Zealand

AHM. Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication and Member, Strategy Council, N-Global Alliance for ICT and Development, Bangladesh

Rev. Juergen Reichel, Church Development Service (EED), Germany

Kristina Rodahl, Norwegian Church Aid

Fatima Rodrigo, India

Rev. Aaro Rythönen, Finn Church Aid, Finland

Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, CBCI Centre, Commission for Justice and Peace, India

Susan M. Sanders, United Church of Christ Wider Church Ministry, USA

Patricia Scott, Anglican Diocese of Dunedin, Social Justice Working Group, New Zealand

Franciska Sekli, PSA, Antenne Italienne AEFJN, Italy

Sr Annette Shears, Presentation Sisters Queensland, Australia

J. Spierings, member of Commitee: Church and Society of R.C. Church, The Netherlands

Rolf Steffansson, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, Finland

William Temu, Assoc. General Secretary for Finance Services, World Council of Churches, Switzerland

Jørgen Thomson, DanChurchAid, Denmark

Arie van der Plas, Kerkinactie, The Netherlands

Père Henri van Loon, Representant de la Congregation du St Esprit, Pays Bas

David Vargas, Division of Overseas Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), USA

Aida M. Vargos

Rajyashri S Waghray, Main Representative to the United Nations, Church World Service, USA

Dr. Bernhard Walter, Food Security, Agriculture and Environment, Bread for the World, Germany

Deborah Williams, Quaker, Christchurch, New Zealand

Michael Windfuhr, Brot für die Welt, Germany

Ester Wolf, Policy Advisor, Bread for All, Switzerland

Selwyn C. Yeoman, Minister (Coastal Unity Parish), Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Rev. Raymond Pome Za Lyan, Communications Secretary, Myanmar Council of Churches

Padre Alex Zanotelli, Missionario Comboniano