Education

Local youth bite back at food crisis

Global Leadership Conventions – Canberra

Local secondary students from Canberra will be taking part in proactive discussions about the Global Food Crisis at World Vision's Global Leadership Convention at the Australian National University.

With over 900 million people currently experiencing extreme hunger every day, the people hardest hit by the Global Food Crisis are in the Asia-Pacific as well as the Horn of Africa.

The Global Leadership Convention is an opportunity for young people from Canberra to learn more about global poverty and the 'other GFC' affecting the world's poor.

The day will incorporate an interactive 'poverty game' that will demonstrate the causes of the Global Food Crisis as well as a guest speaker from Northern Kenya who will describe his own experiences of working with communities experiencing food insecurity.

Climate change, rising food prices and growing populations are some of the major causes of recent food insecurities. Additionally the increased production of biofuels for ethanol and diesel is reducing the availability of crops like corn as a source of food.

“Families in poor countries spend around 70-80% of their income on food, so when these prices go up, and in some cases double, feeding your family becomes near-impossible,” said Leonie Quayle, Youth Manager for New South Wales and ACT.

“Hopefully all the participants will leave the event with the knowledge and inspiration to talk to their families, teachers and other students about this global issue and what they can do about it,” said Leonie.

New South Wales Youth Ambassadors Cory Duker and Jocelyn Clark will speak at the Global Leadership Convention about their own experiences of poverty in Cambodia when they travelled with World Vision earlier this year.

“I've learnt so much about poverty and how, as young people we can make a real difference. I can't wait to inspire others and look forward to taking part in the GLCs across New South Wales and Canberra,” said Jocelyn. The Global Food Crisis is the focus for the 2009 40 Hour Famine (21-23 August). World Vision expects around 350,000 young people around Australia will this year go without something important to them for forty hours to raise money for this worthy cause.

The Global Leadership Convention series is happening all over Australia, with an expected 5000 young people attending the events from over 1000 schools.

For further information about the Global Leadership Convention visit www.worldvision.com.au/youth/glc

Where: Global Leadership Convention University House Australian National University Balmain Cres Acton
When: Friday 5 June 10am – 3.00pm
Spokespeople: Jocelyn Clark, 16 years old – World Vision NSW Youth Ambassador Cory Duker, 18 years old – World Vision NSW Youth Ambassador Leonie Quayle – World Vision NSW Youth Manager Alex Lengarite – World Vision Kenya, Pastoralist Livelihood Project Alex was born in Gatab region of Northern Kenya, a place now affected by extreme food shortages. Alex spent his youth tending to his family cattle. He now works for World Vision Kenya in ensuring that local communities are working effectively to reduce poverty.

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