World Food Day (WFD) is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. It is observed each October 16th in recognition of the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. The first World Food Day was in 1981. In the United States the endeavor is sponsored by 450 national, private voluntary organizations.
WFD planning is done at the community level. Individual groups can hold a special event, but the most successful observances happen when organizers work together with affiliates of national sponsors. Local coalitions, representing the diversity of national sponsors, can share ideas that will involve schools, businesses, worship centers, government offices, service groups, the media, etc.
* Increase Awareness -- provide a briefing on the issues for the media; promote WFD.
* Increase Understanding -- work with schools and colleges; plan a community seminar.
* Increase Information -- help in coordinating a research project on community food security.
* Increase Support -- hold a fund raiser for local and/or international projects
* Increase Advocacy -- seek policy commitments from public officials (or candidates).
* Increase Networking -- use WFD to bring together people, ideas and resources.
* Increase Year-Around Action-- seek to involve people in on-going service/support.
* Increase Impact -- devise a means to measure the year to year progress you are making; consider World Food Day the "annual meeting" for hunger activists.
2009 will be the 29th observance of World Food Day. In every community there are people already involved; the challenge is to coordinate community planning and increase what happens.
Just To Let You Know !
Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:12 pm
