There is nothing more powerful than feeling like you are part of a movement
Last night – standing outside Somerset House, with several brilliant bloggers tweeting away beside me, and Bill Nighy on stage in front of me talking passionately about land grabs and tax dodging and poverty as a form of slavery – I started to get that tiny tingle in my toes. It wasn’t just the cold. It was the feeling of excitement, anticipation and empowerment that comes when you start to believe that change is possible.
What IF we were the generation that could put an end to world hunger?
More than 100 charities believe that it is possible, and they’ve joined forces to launch the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign.
The launch last night was a lot of fun. Our little blogging posse schmoozed with the best of them. But having worked for a coalition myself in the past, I am so aware of the hard work that will have taken place just to get this far – the long and meaty debates about policy, campaign messaging, media strategy and how best to pool resources. At a time when all charities are struggling for funding, for so many to put self-interest to one side and dedicate time and energy to a coalition is admirable. It’s a clear signal that this campaign is one we need to pay attention to.
So the coming-together of so many charities is brilliant. The backing of individuals like Bill Gates, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu is brilliant. The celebrity support from Orlando Bloom and Lauren Laverne and One Direction is brilliant.
But it will be us that decide whether the campaign succeeds or fails.
Ordinary folk like you and me.
Here is the one single thing you need to know: the world produces enough food for everyone, yet hunger kills over 200 children every hour.
There are four things that need to happen to change that. Four ifs.
There is enough food for everyone:
IF we stop poor farmers being forced off their land and we grow crops to feed people instead of fuelling cars.
IF governments and big companies are honest and open about some of the things that stop people getting enough food.
IF we give enough aid to stop children dying from hunger and help the poorest families get enough food.
IF we stop big companies dodging taxes in poor countries.
So.
IF you – like me – want to get that tingly toed feeling that comes from being part of something big, then there are several ways you can do that.
If you have 30 seconds to spare, right now, you can sign the online petition.
If you have a few minutes to spare, you can watch this short video about the campaign and share it on your social networks.
If you have ten minutes, head over and explore the Enough Food IF website to learn about the campaign in more detail.
And if you have half an hour spare, you could write your own blog post or email about the campaign using this online resource kit from Save the Children.
If you do write a post about the campaign, please let me know so I can link to it from here. I’ve already seen brilliant ones – three very different posts in three distinctive styles – from Mummy from the Heart, LLM Calling and Bangers & Mash. The Enough Food IF campaign may be providing the facts, but it is only by spreading the word and talking about that in our own voices that we can have an impact.
What if we could really do this? Just imagine. What if?
***
Other bloggers supporting the IF campaign include: Hello It’s Gemma, Social Chic, 21st Century Mummy, nixdminx, Thinly Spread, Mother Wife Me, 3 Children and It, Lakes Single Mum, Vanesther, Rosie Scribble, Frugal Farmhouse, BritMums, LSE Politics , Exploring Art in the City, The Beesley Buzz, Little Lily Pad
Dorkymum | Stories from Tasmania 
Reblogged this on me, mine and other bits and commented:
From the fabulous and informed dorkymum, about the launch of the IF campaign…
Thanks so much for reblogging, really appreciate it x
It’s such a simple thing, it’s hard to imagine why we can’t solve it.
We’ve not tried hard enough yet…
It is quite possible to remedy this problem. There are enough good minds in the world and I hate to use a cliche, but all cliches are true: ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’ I will do everything I can to support another great campaign from Save the Children.
So appreciative of your support Anya xx
Brilliant post DorkyMum. Am definitely going to read more about the campaign on the website x
Ta lovely xx
Am on it! Signed up, Tweeted, Stumbled and post to follow xx
Ace thank you x
That’s a very powerful statement. Wouldn’t it be incredible!
Such an exciting thought! Just so necessary to follow up words with action…
Signed – going to share now! Amazing movement.
Thank you Nickie, really appreciate it x
Perfect post. Last night was so inspiring – it is achievable. Thank you for your part in my part. .
Thank you for being a part 🙂 x
You’re a campaigning tour de force lady! And a great post – am hoping – no, I will include something on my other blog!!!
Ha, not really. There are a lot of people who will have worked so hard to make it happen. All I had to do was show up 🙂 xx
Hey Ruth, thanks for sending me the blogger pack for this, my post is now live http://www.motherwifeme.com/save-the-children-if/ and I’ll do as much shouting on Twitter etc as I possibly can about IF and Tell A Million.
You’re a star, thanks so much x
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Signed and shared my dear x
*mwah*
I didn’t have any success downloading the social media kit (anything technical always seems to go wrong for me!), but have written a blog post anyway as it is a topic that has been so close to my heart for several years. http://thebeesleybuzz.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/if.html
Sorry about the problems with the kit, I’ll check my link. Thanks so much for writing a post though xx
I definitely think it was problems my end (and i think it was via save the children’s link) as something appeared on my desktop and then i couldn’t open it! Will have to get hubby onto it as it would be nice to use some of the logos for the campaign to show our support on our blog and as a reminder to anyone who hasn’t yet signed up to the pledge. x
A powerful message and an issue which has to be addressed.
Thankyou x
My 5 year old asks me frequently why some countries are poor and don’t have enough food, I always find it so hard to explain to him.
Lets hope this campaign helps improve things. x
Thanks so much for sharing xx
Great work. I’m in! Singed up and shared x
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