Ending Hunger
Faith Communities Catalyzing Global Change
by Maurice A. Bloem
As world leaders anticipate a season of change when they convene for the United Nation’s 79th General Assembly, the Climate Week and the Summit of the Future this month, will they remember one of their biggest assets in eliminating hunger and poverty and reducing human suffering?
The recent G20 Interfaith Forum, held in Brasilia in August 2024, serves as a vital platform that brings the voices of faith communities into the global governance arena, particularly in relation to the G20 Summit. As a representative of not only the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities, but also of Church World Service and the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement, I witnessed firsthand the immense potential of faith based organizations to drive meaningful change on the world stage.
The forum emphasized the pressing need for immediate action on issues like hunger, poverty and the climate crisis. A significant outcome was the endorsement of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, uniting governments, faith communities, and international organizations in this crucial fight.
Faith Communities as Powerful Agents of Change
At the forum, I had the privilege of co-moderating the session titled “Religious Engagement on Food Security“ with Romanna Remor. This session explored faith-linked advocacy and material support for efforts to end hunger, building on the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and highlighting faith teachings on hunger, particularly within the Brazilian context. Colleagues like Asma Lateef (from SDG2 Advocacy Hub), Peter Prove (World Council of Churches), Andrea Kaufmann (World Vision), Cleusa Alves (Caritas), Paulo Lopes (ADRA) , and Renato Godinho (a government official from Brazil and part of the Task Force for Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty) each provided keen insight into the tremendous capacity faith groups have in order to effect social change.
The ‘Religious Engagement on Food Security’ panel participants — Photo: Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities.
The reach of faith communities deep into local context was at the heart of the forum panel “Crossing Bridges Among Sectors and Institutions.” Marianna Richardson, emphasized the importance of localization efforts post-Istanbul “Grand Bargain” and explored how communication and the flow of information between global perspectives and local knowledge could be strengthened. Other panelists included Peter Mandaville (USAID), Doug Fountain (CCIH), and Judd Birdsall (Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs), who each contributed their expertise on the intersection of faith, development, and diplomacy.
A Call for Recognition and Action
One of the major takeaways from the Forum was the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, a significant initiative aiming to unify efforts across governments, faith communities, and international organizations to tackle these pressing issues. As David Beckman highlighted in Brasilia, this initiative underscores the growing activist dimension of the G20 Faith Forum. But will this sense of energy and voice be seen in New York for UNGA, Climate Week and the Summit of the Future? Will the faith communities be seen as an integral partner in addressing global challenges. Our extensive networks, local presence, and commitment in making a difference in this world, make us uniquely positioned to contribute to ending hunger, sustainable development and climate action.
To turn words into action, I urge you to sign a petition calling on G20 leaders to take concrete steps towards ending hunger and poverty. This petition represents our collective voice and commitment to making a real difference.
The Critical Need for Evidence-Based Approaches
As we move forward, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of evidence based approaches in faith based initiatives. JLI plays a key role in ensuring the impact of faith communities is rooted in research and best practices. By promoting evidence-based practices, we can enhance the credibility and effectiveness of faith-based interventions, ensuring that our efforts truly make a positive impact in partnership with those we work alongside.
While the world’s religious landscape is evolving, an estimated 75 percent of the global population remains engaged in some form of religious practice. The influence and potential of Faith Based Organizations in addressing global challenges is undeniable. As we approach the UNGA ‘79, Climate Week and the Summit of the Future, it’s time to not only continue our conversations, but also to move into concrete action. A few examples on how we can make a difference:
Advocate for FBO inclusion in policy discussions at all levels (the G20 Interfaith Forum is an excellent example of how to do it)
Offer resources and expertise to support sustainable development goals;
Join forces with other FBOs to amplify our collective impact.
Let’s harness the power of faith communities to drive meaningful change. We will continue to share the dialogues we will be having in the weeks to come. Please continue to watch this space and reach out to us to explore impactful collaboration.
This article was originally published in September 2024 on Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities.
Header Photo: Freerange Stock, LLC