Professional Football against Hunger - Ending Hunger Movement

ABOUT THE PROJECT

It all started with a simple signature drive.

Hunger worldwide was out of control. Government leaders from all five continents travelled to Rome for a summit, to see what could be done.

While the presidents, prime ministers and other leaders deliberated, it was felt that their citizens should also have a say in the matter. A petition was put online for individuals everywhere to sign. It called the world hunger situation “unacceptable” and challenged politicians to act.

After the summit, a target of one million signatures on the petition by November 2010 was established and publicized. The initiative quickly developed into a global campaign with support from stars in the worlds of sport, arts and entertainment, academia and other fields. The project reached out through social media and a growing network of partners –nonprofit organizations, communication companies, UN agencies.

In developing countries, people joined in by the thousands –most often signing the petition on paper. Illiterate peasants lined up to hear the petition read to them and to “sign” it with inky thumbprints.

The message was aimed squarely at governments: do something.

By 30 November, when the petition was first presented to representatives of world governments at a ceremony in Rome, more than 3 million people had signed.

What started as a petition drive is now becoming a movement. Universities, colleges and schools worldwide are taking up the cause. New partners and new personalities are offering to help. The discussion on Facebook and Twitter continues. People are staging public events to “blow the whistle” on hunger, and posting videos on YouTube.

The objectives? A critical mass of people who no longer accept the presence of one billion fellow human beings living in chronic hunger. To make a lot of noise about the problem. To build up political pressure for change.

History has shown time and again that when young people by the thousands push hard enough, anything is possible. Even ending hunger.

Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfA4DuYUxCM

Sign the petition: www.1billionhungry.org/

Facebook: www.facebook.com
/1billionhungry

YouTube: www.youtube.com/1billionhungry

www.endinghunger.org/en/static/about.html