ARTICLE 19 believes that hunger cannot be eradicated unless information flows freely, governments and big businesses are transparent, and people participate in decision-making; the organisation has joined a global coalition looking to make dramatic progress towards ending the global hunger crisis in 2013.
UPDATE from ARTICLE 19: “Enough Food IF” we tell world leaders to act now (30 May 2013)
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – 23 January 2013 – Many governments and big businesses hide behind a veil of secrecy. They want to hide their impact on people’s lives and the environment and to silence criticism of their policies and operations.
That means no one can hold them to account for actions that result in millions of people suffering from hunger. By strengthening laws that force them to be open and honest, we can make sure they do not get away with it.
ARTICLE 19 has joined a coalition launched today of a hundred global organisations to make 2013 the year in which we make dramatic progress towards ending the global hunger crisis.
Through our actions, we can persuade governments to act too, and when they do, everyone on this planet will have the chance of getting the food they need to live a healthy, happy life.
The “Enough food for everyone IF” campaign tackles four big IFs:
1. IF we give enough aid to stop children dying from hunger, and help the poorest people feed themselves
2. IF we stop big companies dodging taxes in poor countries, so that millions of people can free themselves from hunger
3. IF we stop poor farmers being forced off their land, and use crops to feed people, not fuel cars
4. IF we force governments and big corporations to be honest and open about their actions that stop people getting enough food.
We can press our leaders to make these big IFs happen, and if they do, there really will be enough food for everyone.
HUNGER: THE SHOCKING TRUTH
Today, hunger is one of the world’s most shocking problems. One in eight people are living with the pain of hunger. More than two million children die every year because they cannot get enough to eat, and millions more face a life of lost potential, stunting and pain. And yet our planet provides enough food for everyone. It’s unfair, it’s unjust, and the truth is – it’s totally preventable.
HUNGER AND THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION
ARTICLE 19 believes that hunger cannot be eradicated unless information flows freely, governments and big businesses are transparent, and people participate in decision-making:
1. The free flow of information includes the people’s right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas about hunger and food, including via a free and diverse media
2. Transparency requires governments and big businesses to collect, produce and disclose accessible, credible and disaggregated information on hunger and food
3. Governments should encourage and protect a vigorous and diverse civil society and media, including disadvantaged and marginalised people
THE CAMPAIGN MISSION
We want 2013 to be a year in which we make dramatic progress towards ending the global hunger crisis. Through our actions, we can persuade governments to act too, and when they do, everyone on this planet will have the chance of getting the food they need to live a healthy, happy life. We are working with a huge coalition of organisations who share our vision, to mobilise millions of people to take action. We want to reach 20 million people with our message and inspire 5 million of them to get involved.
