Seeing them together yesterday knocked us all out: Tim Meadows, Shabana Azmi, and Hilda Dokubo. Stars from three very different countries, standing side by side in solidarity against hunger. Many members of the press came, videotaping and writing notes rapidly, trying to keep up with remarks that stirred hearts and minds.
“Hunger has gotten worse, not better,” Shabana said. “There are 854 million people that go to bed hungry of which 100 million are children. I found it shocking that the United Nations has not thought it necessary to go to all means to put food on the table.”
“We cannot bask in the glory of development when millions go hungry in a country of abundance,” she added.
Said Tim Meadows, “I am very proud to be part of ActionAid’s HungerFREE Campaign- calling for world action to end hunger.”
Mr. Meadows continued, ”when you hear about the number of people who are actually going hungry everyday and the affect it has on women in particular, it moves you to do something.”
ActionAid USA’s Peter O’Driscoll wrapped up the day with a list of what the US must do to really make an impact on world hunger. Here’s a summary:
1. The US must endorse the Right to Food. “Food is a basic human right,” he said. Continuing:
2. ”We call on a reform on US food aid policy. We need to stimulate production in poor countries, rather than enriching large corporations.”
3. “The US needs to re-orient its policies to invest in small agriculture, allowing small farmers to trade fairly.”
4. “We need to acknowledge that the US provides much of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The US must show real leadership in generating new revenues that enable people to adapt to the impacts of climate change in the developing world.”
5. “The US Government must listen to the voices of the people. Voices like those that are represented here today. We need their voices to be present in the halls of Congress, in the White House, and beyond. I call on my government, and all governments, to listen.”
Said Nepal’s Malvika Subba as the event was wrapping up, “This is only the beginning. The people united will never be defeated.”
We’re in today’s New York Times, by the way. Have a look: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/25/un-protest-recipe-start-with-buddhist-monks-and-brazilian-nut-gatherers-garnish-with-flags-coffins-and-orange-jumpsuits/
