Sixth Form students tell MPs they're hungry for change

CAFOD group in Parliament

Thirty Catholic sixth form students have travelled to London to give MPs food for thought on the issue of world hunger.

Last Wednesday, the group of 30 sixth formers from Catholic schools and colleges across the country spent a day in Westminster. The visit was organised by Catholic aid agency CAFOD as part of its Hungry for Change campaign.

The students toured the Houses of Parliament, watched Prime Minister’s Questions and took part in a discussion with their local MPs about why hunger still exists in the modern world. They were joined by Nigel Evans, Deputy Speaker and MP for Ribble Valley, Sir Tony Cunningham, Shadow Secretary for International Development and MP for Workington, and the Rt Hon Tom Clarke CBE MP, Chair of CAFOD’s Parliamentary Group and MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill.

In November 2012, CAFOD launched its Hungry for Change Campaign which calls for major changes in the global food system, including better access to land and water for small farmers in the poorest countries. The students handed over the first batch of Hungry for Change action cards signed by CAFOD supporters which call on Prime Minister David Cameron to use the UK's Presidency of the G8 this year to put food and hunger at the top of the global agenda.

Sixth form student, Daisy Powles, Leweston School, Dorset, met her local MP Bill Wiggin. Daisy said: “I had a really good meeting with Mr Wiggin. He could appreciate what CAFOD is working towards and talked to me about the 0.7% aid commitment and how the government is already trying to help.

“I emphasised the need for aid that really empowers people and is sustainable in the long-term. It’s really exciting to be part of the Hungry for Change campaign and to get CAFOD’s message out there.”

The Rt Hon Tom Clarke CBE MP, said: “To be able to welcome so many young people from around the country to Parliament on behalf of the Parliamentary Friends of CAFOD is a particular honour. It’s vital that we, as Parliamentarians, listen to the people and respond to the things they care about.

“I’m passionate about CAFOD’s work, and meeting so many young people who share that passion will make us all work harder towards a world without hunger. There are real opportunities through CAFOD’s Hungry for Change campaign and the IF campaign to make progress on these issues, and I can assure you that the Parliamentary Friends of CAFOD will work hard to make sure the Government makes the most of these opportunities.”

Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans MP, said: “I’ve been in Parliament for over 20 years but welcoming young people to Parliament and seeing them begin to engage and become active citizens never gets old. I know from my time on the International Development Select Committee of the brilliant work CAFOD does through the church around the world. Whether donating or campaigning, CAFOD is an organisation I really support.”

Before visiting Parliament, the 30 young people spent a day at CAFOD’s London headquarters to prepare them for their visit. They took part in workshops to learn about Hungry for Change and how campaigning can make a difference to the decisions taken in Parliament, as well as how they could use the trip as an opportunity to put their faith into action.

An estimated 870 million people worldwide go without enough food to be healthy and live an active life, and the overwhelming majority of them live in developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, one in four people go hungry. The recent financial crisis has pushed even more people around the world to the brink of starvation.

CAFOD’s Hungry for Change Campaign is running until October 2013. To call on David Cameron to take action on global hunger, please visit www.cafod.org.uk/hungry