Charities unite in ‘IF’ campaign
BILL NIGHY launched the biggest charity coalition since Make Poverty History last week, calling on the government to use its role as G8 host this year to end hunger forever.
Enough Food For Everyone IF… aims to help the one billion people who go to bed hungry every night, saying it is a scandal this should still be happening in a world where enough food is produced to feed everyone.
Despite the cold, many attended the campaign’s start, including Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael, athlete Colin Jackson, actress Keeley Hawes and others.
The launch featured a groundbreaking, 12-minute 3D presentation projected on to the side of Somerset House, and finished with a live feed of supporters’ tweets.
The Bishop of Derby attended the event at Somerset House on Wednesday evening.
Speaking after the presentation, Dr Alistair Redfern said ‘wherever he went he heard Christians talking about justice’; he said this was the perfect way of living that out.
The IF movement challenges the Prime Minister to tackle 4 big Ifs: •If we stop farmers being forced off their land and use the available land to grow food for people, not biofuel for cars… •If governments keep their promises on aid, invest to stop children dying from malnutrition and help the poorest people feed themselves through investment in small farmers… •If government close loopholes to stop big companies dodging tax in poor countries, so that millions of people can free themselves from hunger… •If we force government and investors to be honest and open about the deals they make in the poorest countries that stop people getting enough food.
A video of the philanthropist Bill Gates was also shown on Wednesday, where the Microsoft founder said: “We need a concerted effort from governments, civil society and philanthropists to tackle the root causes of hunger and together build a world where no child has to go to bed hungry.”
The coalition project is supported by 100 major charities including Tearfund, Christian Aid, Fairtrade Foundation and CAFOD.