HungerFREE

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 kee p 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... Read Full Story

Shabana Azmi, Bollywood super-star and activist here in New York to push the HungerFREE campaign at the United Nations, gave her first interview today to Time Magazine’s World Editor Bobby Ghosh, and a Time.com reporter - pictured.  Bobby grew up in India and said he spent the last four years on assignment in Iraq where Shabana’s films are being seen for the first time round - and making a big impression.   Bobby was particularly interested to know Shabana’s views on the state of activism... Read Full Story

Former Ms. Nepal, Malvika Subba, tells her story about what it’s been like to campaign at the UN over the past few weeks with the HungerFREE campaign: “Before I came to New York, I was a bit skeptical as to what it would be like, as this is my first trip to US. But I knew that I was coming for a good cause, and if things worked out , I would be helping millions of people in my country. After I came here and we started our work for the Hunger Free Campign, I was so proud of myself and the... Read Full Story

Here’s an amazing video just produced by the multi-talented Amanda Fitzgerald at ActionAid. It talks all about the HungerFREE campaign, including stories from Africa and India. The interviews, and some of the stories, will just floor you. Thanks, Amanda! Read Full Story

This is amazing!  We’re going to have stars from Hollywood, Bollywood, and Nollywood (Nigerian film) rallying with us across the street from the United Nations on September 25th. That’s the day George W. Bush and other world leaders will be inside the UN.  Probably one of the most important days of the year. Ok, here are the details.  The rally will be held at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York, at 47th and 1st. There will be lots of protests going on there at the same time, but ours will... Read Full Story

Our first week of protests outside of the United Nations ended well today. The United Nations is getting much busier than usual, mostly because world leaders will be coming here on Monday.  Because of that, the foot traffic of diplomats, politicians, and tourists was just great.  As we made noise, reminding the UN that 854 million people are going hungry right now, other members of the HungerFREE team passed out bright red brochures that gave pointed messages on how important it is that the... Read Full Story

Today, Dr. Sonja Kreibich, 2nd Secretary, Premanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations was briefed on the HungerFree campaign during a meeting with Alejandra Scampini, ActionAid Americas women’s rights coordinator, Kate Neustedt, director of communications for ActionAid, and Alexandre Polack, Americas communications coordinator. “Dr. Kreibich has a profound understanding of poverty issues, and cares deeply about women’s rights ” said Kate. “We were... Read Full Story

Today marks day three of HungerFREE at the United Nations.  In the morning, many members of the New York nonprofit community came to our forum, called a Field of Ones Own - A Forum on Women’s Rights to Land and Natural Resources . The event was held at the Church Centre at the United Nations, and featured an amazing speech by Cledeneuza Maria Bezerra Oliveria from the Brazilian Amazon. She talked about the plight of landless women, whom had for decades eked a living by harvesting wild palm... Read Full Story

The HungerFREE team continued with its important meetings with country missions to the UN on day two here at the United Nations. Among these were meetings with the Nigerian Mission and Senegal’s mission to the UN. Hilda Dokubo, the famous Nigerian actress stopped fellow Nigerians in their tracks as she walked into the Nigerian building. She had an extra twinkle in her eyes as she, and fellow Nigerian,  Aderonke from ActionAid, met with Aya-Kalata Gobo, the second secretary of the Nigerian... Read Full Story

After  meeting with Missions to the United Nations this morning, the HungerFREE team protested loudly in front of the UN, shouting: “UN: Put Food on the Table!  The Poor must not be Ignored!”  The action attracted passers-by from around the world, who stopped by to sign their personal messages on HungerFREE plates destined to be presented to UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon.  The press came, too, including BBC Afrique, which conducted an informative interview with Mr. Ibrahima Niasse.  Mr... Read Full Story