Dear to the Brazilian president, this program aims to reach half a billion people by 2030, giving an international dimension to the fight against hunger and inequality.
It was the“central objective” of the Brazilian presidency of the G20 for Lula, a former worker born into a poor family: the Global Alliance against hunger and poverty was launched on Monday 18 November, with 82 signatory countries. “It is up to those who sit around this table to have the urgent task of eradicating this plague that dishonors humanity.”declared the Brazilian head of state Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to the leaders of the most powerful economies on the planet gathered for the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. “This alliance was born at the G20, but it is global. May this summit be marked by the courage to act”he added.
The Global Alliance against Hunger has a total of 148 members: in addition to the signatory countries, the European Union, the African Union, 24 international organizations, nine financial institutions and 31 NGOs have also joined this group. Argentina, the only G20 country absent from the signatory list at launch, joined shortly thereafter.
The project is ambitious: to reach half a billion people by 2030, giving an international dimension to the fight against hunger and inequality. But the challenge is gigantic, if we take into account that 733 million people suffered from hunger in 2023, or 9% of the world population, according to the latest report presented in July by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO) and other United Nations agencies.
Free school lunches
“Hunger is not due to deficiencies or natural phenomena (…), it is the result of political decisions that perpetuate the exclusion of a large part of humanity”Lula thundered. The Alliance aims to combine efforts to free up financial resources or replicate initiatives that work at the local level. “I thank President Lula for the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Germany was the first
Among the concrete commitments already made, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced on Friday a contribution of 25 billion dollars to finance programs “accelerate progress in the fight against hunger and poverty from 2025 to 2030”. The Alliance particularly advocates giving importance to early childhood nutrition programs, free school lunches and support for small farmers. With programs aimed at increasing the number of free meals in schools only in poor countries, the goal is to reach 150 million children by 2030.
The Nigerian government, which already has the largest school meals program in Africa, has committed to doubling the number of beneficiaries, from 10 to 20 million children, sourcing mainly from small local farmers. Indonesia, for its part, will launch a new free lunch program in January 2025, which aims to reach 78.3 million school-age children in 2029.
In a message read by Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who represented him in Rio, Pope Francis welcomed this global coalition: “We must act immediately and decisively to eradicate this plague”. This Alliance “It could be a turning point” Moreover “it must go further” In “Urgently respond to the devastating impacts of climate change on food systems in the Global South”the NGO Oxfam reacted in a press release.
For Lula the fight against poverty is a personal battle. As a child he experienced hunger in his native state of Pernambuco (northeast), before leaving with his family for the industrial metropolis of São Paulo, where he worked for a long time as a turner-miller and became known as a trade unionist. boss. His social programs helped lift millions of Brazilians out of poverty during his first two terms (2003-2010), particularly thanks to the Bolsa Familia, an allowance paid to the poorest families on the condition that their children attended school. But he then benefited from the commodities boom, while his government has been subject to much greater budget constraints since returning to power in January 2023.
How can individuals contribute to combating hunger and supporting initiatives like the Global Alliance?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Hunger and Poverty Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we are shining a light on the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, which aims to impact half a billion people by 2030. We are joined by Professor Maria Santos, an expert in global food security and social inequality. Thank you for being here, Professor Santos.
Professor Maria Santos: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to discuss this vital initiative.
Editor: Let’s start with the basics. The Global Alliance was launched at the recent G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, with 148 members, including countries, international organizations, and NGOs. Can you explain the significance of this collaborative approach to fighting hunger?
Professor Santos: Certainly! The collaboration among so many stakeholders is crucial. Hunger is a multifaceted issue—it’s not just about food scarcity; it’s also deeply tied to political, economic, and social factors. By bringing together countries, financial institutions, and NGOs, the Global Alliance can leverage diverse resources, expertise, and local initiatives to tackle the root causes of hunger and inequity more effectively.
Editor: Brazilian President Lula characterized hunger as “the result of political decisions that perpetuate exclusion.” How do you see political will influencing the success of this initiative?
Professor Santos: Political will is absolutely pivotal. Without strong commitment from world leaders, initiatives like this often struggle to gain traction. Lula’s statement emphasizes that hunger is not merely a logistical problem; it requires transformative policies that address inequalities, support local agriculture, and prioritize vulnerable populations. The fact that 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 underscores the enormity of the task ahead. For the Alliance to succeed, member countries must translate their commitments into concrete actions and policies.
Editor: The Alliance aims to increase early childhood nutrition programs and free school lunches, targeting 150 million children by 2030. How crucial are these initiatives in the fight against hunger?
Professor Santos: They are critical. Early childhood nutrition is foundational for physical and cognitive development. Providing free school lunches not only helps combat hunger but also encourages school attendance, boosts academic performance, and sets the stage for healthier futures. This approach also supports local economies by sourcing food from small farmers, creating a win-win situation for communities.
Editor: The Inter-American Development Bank announced a significant $25 billion contribution to this cause. How does financial backing translate into tangible change on the ground?
Professor Santos: Financial backing is essential for scaling effective programs. This investment can fund essential projects like school meal programs, agricultural training for small farmers, and community nutrition initiatives. However, it’s not just about the amount of money but ensuring that funds are allocated effectively and monitored to achieve meaningful results. The focus must be on accountability and measuring impact on those who are most affected.
Editor: Given the ambitious goal of reaching half a billion people by 2030, what challenges do you foresee, and how can they be addressed?
Professor Santos: The scale of hunger and poverty is daunting. One challenge is coordination among the numerous stakeholders involved. Each member country has different contexts and needs. To address this, there must be a commitment to local solutions tailored to specific communities. Additionally, we need sustained advocacy and awareness to keep hunger on the global agenda, ensuring it doesn’t get overshadowed by other crises.
Editor: As we conclude, what message do you want to share with our readers about the importance of this initiative?
Professor Santos: Hunger is an affront to our humanity. The Global Alliance represents a collective hope and determination to eradicate it. Every person has a role to play—from advocacy to local action. Let’s keep the pressure on our leaders and support initiatives that prioritize the most vulnerable among us. Together, we can make a difference.
Editor: Thank you, Professor Santos, for sharing your insights. The fight against hunger is indeed a collective journey, and initiatives like the Global Alliance provide a beacon of hope.
Professor Santos: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic!