The tour included men and women between the ages of 19 and 31 from Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. They all had a passion for helping those in need and a desire to learn more about using their voice to help others.
“It was a time of learning and action,” explained World Renew Advocacy Manager, Melody Mendonca. “Our overall goal was to strengthen Canadian support for small scale farmers around the world. We talked about how this kind of support is critical to ending global hunger. We also talked about advocacy and the role that citizens can have in shaping our government.”
Following one day of learning which included guest speakers from the Center for Public Dialogue, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the Government of Canada, the young adults took the lessons they learned and met with their Members of Parliament on the Hill.
While Canada has a long history of fighting global hunger, its levels of aid for agriculture has steadily dropped since 2010. You can change that.
David Schuurman of Hamilton, Ontario agreed. He said that one of his biggest take-aways was that, “advocacy is a long-term process of not giving up on pleading on the behalf of others. It takes time.”
Schuurman also said that he enjoyed the opportunity to lobby his elected representative. “I had a great meeting with my MP, discussing agricultural aid,” he said.
In total, the group met with 11 Members of Parliament. While initially nervous about engaging in advocacy and meeting with MPs in person, the young adults reported that it was a really positive experience. They also said that all of the MPs were very open to their message and shared that the tour has inspired them to look for more advocacy opportunities like this in the future.
“It was an incredibly valuable experience for me and I am excited to continue with this kind of work!” said Katelynn Folkerts from Fenwick, Ontario.
Chi Mandivenga of Toronto, Ontario said the experience of speaking with public officials on matters that influence policy at both the local and international level was “one of a kind.”
“I am honored to have been a member of the team. And I am very interested in continuing my involvement with initiatives such as these,” Mandivenga said.
The Justice Leadership event was part of the Good Soil campaign – a nationwide advocacy initiative by World Renew and the members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank aimed at encouraging the Canadian government to continue its long history of fighting global hunger by increasing foreign aid funding that assists small scale farmers.
“It was an incredibly valuable experience for me and I am excited to continue with this kind of work!”
“Research has shown that investment in agriculture is twice as effective at reducing poverty as investments in any other sector,” said Mendonca. “When we invest in farmers, it not only helps that family’s food production but it improves child health and family nutrition, boosts the local economy, and even contributes to stability in the region.”
While Canada has a long history of fighting global hunger, its levels of aid for agriculture has steadily dropped since 2010. You can change that. Your participation in the Good Soil campaign is vital, and you don’t have to be in Ottawa to have a say.
“The purpose of your Member of Parliament is to represent your needs and concerns in the government,” said Mendonca. “MPs love to have their constituents visit with them when they are in their home ridings like during the summer and will listen closely to voter concerns.”
Please consider visiting or writing to your Member of Parliament about the Good Soil campaign. Tell them you care about ending global hunger and would like Canada to support small-scale farmers by increasing its investment in agriculture in developing countries.
If you are interested in meeting with your MP, please contact Melody Mendonca for more information or for any advice and assistance, at 1-800-730-3490 ext. 4372 or [email protected]
