Leave No One Behind: Pope Francis' Call for Solidarity on World Food Day

Pope Francis marked World Food Day, an annual observance held on October 16th, with a profound message to the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

In his address, the Pope stressed the significance of the 2023 theme: "Leave no one behind," resonating with a world grappling with persistent issues of poverty, inequality, and access to essential resources.

History of World Food Day

World Food Day, observed annually on October 16th, has a significant history rooted in global efforts to combat hunger and promote food security. Established in 1945 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, the day aimed to raise awareness about the critical issues surrounding food production, distribution, and access. In 1979, after 34 years of observance, World Food Day was officially recognized as a world holiday during the 20th FAO conference. Since then, over 150 countries worldwide have celebrated this day. Each year, World Food Day focuses on various aspects of food security, agriculture, and related topics, such as climate change, biodiversity, and rural development, to address the pressing challenges of our time.

A Stark Reality Highlighted by the Pop: Poverty and Injustice Must be Tackled

The Pope, acknowledging the stark reality of poverty and despair impacting countless individuals across the globe, called for collective introspection. He highlighted how hunger and malnutrition, affecting multitudes, are the consequences of an unjust accumulation of inequalities and injustices. These inequalities reach far beyond just food, extending to all basic resources, depriving many of their God-given human dignity.

The theme for World Food Day 2023, "Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind," prompted Pope Francis to underline the indispensable role of water. He emphasized that water, beyond being a mere resource, is a fundamental element for all life forms on our planet. Ensuring equitable access to clean water is essential for human development without excluding anyone.

The Pope acknowledged that the world currently faces significant challenges related to both the quantity and quality of water. The absence or scarcity of clean water results in suffering and, at times, loss of life due to diseases. Climate-induced droughts are turning vast regions barren, harming ecosystems and populations. Unfair water resource management, distortion, and contamination disproportionately affect the impoverished, constituting a grave injustice.

Water as a Basic Human Right

Pope Francis reiterated the principle that access to safe drinkable water is a universal human right, vital for human survival and the exercise of other human rights. The exploitation of water as a commodity for exchange or speculation is not in line with its significance in sustaining life.

Water plays a pivotal role in food security, serving as a means of production and an indispensable component for agriculture. The Pope called for wise, careful, and sustainable water management to prevent scarcity and conflict. Scientific advancements and technological innovations should be harnessed to achieve a balance between water consumption and available resources.

A Global Call to Action & Solidarity

Pope Francis called upon international organizations, governments, and civil society to collaborate in making water a common heritage, ensuring equitable distribution and sustainable management. In a world marked by interconnectedness, he emphasized the importance of global cooperation, solidarity, and prioritizing the well-being of all individuals over the appropriation of resources by a few.

World Food Day, as marked by Pope Francis, serves as a reminder of the need to combat hunger, raise awareness about healthy diets, and work together as a global community to address food security and social justice. By focusing on themes like "Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind," this annual observance reiterates the urgency of our responsibilities towards one another and the planet.