Tuesday, October 15, 2024

WCC News: Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger offers spiritual and practical steps to end hunger

The World Council of Churches (WCC), along with global faith organizations, raised urgent awareness of the growing hunger crisis through the "Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger." Inspired by Isaiah 58—"to loose the chains of injustice, untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free...and share our food with the hungry"—this global movement called on faith communities to take spiritual and practical steps to help end hunger.
Dinesh Suna at the Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger event in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Christian Muggler/Focolare 
14 October 2024

The world faces a severe hunger crisis fueled by conflict, climate change, and rising living costs. Children and families in vulnerable situations are bearing the brunt of this crisis.

According to the Global Report on Food Crises, nearly 282 million people across 59 countries and territories suffered from high levels of acute hunger in 2023—an increase of 24 million from the previous year.

In response, churches worldwide came together for the third annual Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger, which took place 11-13 October. The weekend mobilized congregations globally to fight hunger and injustice through prayer, worship, and community-driven action.

On 11 October, an in-person event hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Geneva, entitled "Until All Are Fed,” took place. This event was co-organized by the WCC, ACT Alliance, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Geneva, Lutheran World Federation, World Evangelical Alliance, World Methodist Council, and World Vision.

Dinesh Suna, coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network, delivered a keynote message on behalf of WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, addressing the importance of faith communities  responding to the global hunger crisis.

“The issue of hunger cannot be addressed in isolation,” read the message. “It is inextricably linked to the broader concerns of land and water security – a triad of issues that form a critical nexus in our fight against hunger and our pursuit of sustainable development.”

This nexus approach recognizes that land, water, and food are not separate challenges, said the text. “The availability and quality of each resource influences the others, creating a complex web of environmental, economic, and social challenges,” reads the message. “These issues directly affect our ability to produce food and ensure food security for all.”

Our nexus approach allows us to address these interconnected issues holistically, read the message. “For instance, when we support climate-resilient agriculture, we're not only addressing climate change but also promoting food security and economic stability for farmers,” read the message. “When we advocate for fair land use policies, we're simultaneously addressing economic justice and environmental sustainability.”

Faith communities have unique strengths, noted the text.

“We have extensive networks that reach into communities often overlooked by other institutions,” read the message. “We can mobilize resources quickly in times of acute need.”

Let us remember that our work extends far beyond these few days, the message urged. “Let us use this time to renew our commitment, to strengthen our partnerships, and to redouble our efforts in the fight against hunger,” read the text. “The task before us is great, but so is our resolve.”

More Resources:
Food and Finance - Toward Life-Enhancing Agriculture
Making Peace with the Earth - Action and Advocacy for Climate Justice

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The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
150 route de Ferney
Geneve 2 1211
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