World Hunger Day 2022: How youth will pave the way in the fight against hunger, climate change, and conflict
World Hunger Day on May 28, 2022, is an opportunity to make sure we don’t lose focus on or hope that hunger can be ended. One undeniable resource we have in ending hunger is the world's youth. This year, we’re highlighting youth activists around the world, with a focus on climate change and conflict.
Ending hunger will not be accomplished if we continue to put most of our focus on food distribution. It requires government action, and dedicated individuals and groups making strides towards building resilience to climate change and conflict. Youth play an important role in this, as youth make up the majority of the population in many countries and have a strong social and environmental awareness. This combination has the power to transform our societies towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
In honour of all of the youth past and present that have contributed to world-changing progress, here are five youth stories and initiatives that are deserving of highlight:
1.FeelGood Project
For years, The Hunger Project has partnered with the youth-led organization FeelGood to help mobilize university students in the United States and Canada to become global citizens and social entrepreneurs. In 2020, we united our organizations, making FeelGood an official program of The Hunger Project. Through the FeelGood program, The Hunger Project welcomes an incredible community of youth volunteers, activists, and transformative leaders.
2. Anju Anwara Moyna
Anju Anwara Moyna, a long-time volunteer community leader with The Hunger Project-Bangladesh, had goals to promote and aid in proper hygiene and food distribution amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. She set up a hand-washing station in front of her home and encouraged community members to learn proper hand-washing techniques. Anju also organized a community philanthropy drive, where she and her fellow volunteers collected nearly $8,500 of food and other necessities and distributed it to more than 1,500 families.
3. Youth Day
Around the world each August 12th, we celebrate International Youth Day to highlight the power of the world’s youth and encourage young people’s inclusive participation in creating a better future. Last year, with the theme of “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” we highlighted the critical role of young people in building a healthier and more sustainable food system that will ensure both human and planetary wellbeing. The ongoing global effort to end hunger cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people everywhere. Today’s youth must have voice and agency in the decision-making processes that affect them.
4. Youth Ending Hunger
In 1990, The Hunger Project-Bangladesh was initially established by students at the University of Dhaka as a chapter of The Hunger Project’s international Youth Ending Hunger initiative. Youth Ending Hunger (YEH) leaders bring the creativity and leadership of the youth to the forefront by creating a sense of social responsibility in them. Today, trained YEH leaders meet monthly in chapters across the country—planning activities to improve their communities initiating various social action projects.
5. Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative
Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI) is a youth nonprofit organization determined to raise awareness to the ongoing ecological and climate crisis. Their goal is to inspire youth environmental actions to protect and improve the life-supporting nature and ecosystems they coexist with. Established in 2009 by a group of university students, BYEI has established itself as a key youth organization in the environmental sector of Bangladesh, run by youth, for youth.
Join us this World Hunger Day and take action to end hunger. Learn more at www.worldhungerday.org.
