On Wednesday, June 28, the Partnerships Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP) Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil, Igor Carneiro, participated in the VI Municipal Conference on Food and Nutrition Security in Osasco, São Paulo. The event was part of the city’s Food and Nutrition Security agenda and fostered discussions on strategies to combat hunger and actions led by local governments, civil society entities, companies and research institutes.
The WFP Centre of Excellence and the Municipality of Osasco recognize and support, through a partnership signed in 2022, the fulfilment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which requires an alliance between intergovernmental organizations, governments, NGOs and private sector entities. Thus, the goal of the partnership is to join efforts and actively collaborate for the achievement of the SDGs, among them SDG 2 – Eradication of Hunger and Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture.
The protocol of intentions between the Centre of Excellence and the Municipality of Osasco, through the Department of Education and the Department of Food and Nutrition Security, aims to raise awareness of the challenges, promote sustainable solutions and foster the exchange of technical experiences in favour of the fight against hunger through food and nutrition security actions.
In 2022, for example, two pedagogical gardens were built in the municipal schools EMEF José Veríssimo de Matos and EMEF Dr. Francisco Manuel Lumbrales Carneiro. The action contributes to deepen the impacts on student learning and nutrition, as well as on the school community, and can become a model for other municipalities.
“It was a great satisfaction to sign the partnership with the Municipality of Osasco, recognizing the will and spirit of the municipality in the fight against hunger, waste, and food and nutritional security,” said Igor Carneiro. “Initiatives such as gardens are just one example of the potential we have to together not only fight hunger, but educate the new generation about the importance of healthy eating,” said Igor Carneiro.
The partnership for the construction of pedagogical gardens in municipal schools, in addition to the Department of Education and the Department of Food and Nutrition Security/Food Bank, had the support of the private sector and civil society organizations that carry out socio-environmental impact projects.