Preparing for the G20 Interfaith Forum in Brasilia

At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture. Despite initial progress toward achieving SDG 2—Zero Hunger—the world has been derailed by a series of crises. The COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts, and the escalating impacts of climate change have reversed many of the gains made in reducing hunger. By 2022, around 750 million people faced hunger, with 2.4 billion in moderate or severe food insecurity—a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action to reverse this regression.

It should be an all-hands-on-deck moment, a clarion call to action to use every available resource to stop slipping progress and to correct the course for the future. The G20 Interfaith Forum, I hope, will do just that: bring faith communities deeper into the effort to advance the SDGs and reduce human suffering. 

Faith communities are, arguably, the biggest underutilized resource in achieving the SDGs.  Yes, faith communities bring a moral imperative to the work of eliminating hunger and extreme poverty – feeding the hungry is a common narrative and call across most of the world’s faith traditions. But faith communities also reflect significant capacity to deliver services. They also represent the ability to gain influence in arenas where many broad-scale public engagement efforts cannot reach. 

This year, under Brazil’s leadership, the forum will place food security and hunger at the heart of its discussions—a focus that not only responds to the current global crisis but also aligns with the faith-based commitment to social justice and the imperative to offer hope in times of uncertainty.

Reaffirming the Commitment to Ending Hunger

I am honored to co-moderate (together with Romanna Remor, Chair, Board of Directors of Roble del Sur Foundation) a session on food security and hunger at this year’s Interfaith Forum. This session, titled “Religious Engagement on Food Security,” will explore faith-linked advocacy and material support for efforts to end hunger, building on the work of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty (main proposal of the Brazil presidency at the head of the G20). The discussion will feature contributions from esteemed panelists, including Asma Lateef (virtually), Peter Prove (WCC), Andrea Kaufman (World Vision), Cleusa Alves (Caritas Brazil), and Paulo Lopes (ADRA International). We will highlight faith teachings on hunger and the Brazilian experience, addressing both immediate crises—such as those linked to conflict and climate change—and long-term sustainability, which demands multi-sector responses and action.

Faith Communities as Catalysts for Change

Faith communities have long been at the forefront of efforts to combat hunger and poverty. They operate food banks, support smallholder farmers, run school meals programs, and provide vocational training and other forms of socioeconomic support. However, beyond these direct actions, faith-based organizations also play a crucial role in raising awareness and mobilizing broader societal efforts to address food insecurity.

A notable example is the Interfaith Campaign for Food and Nutrition Security, a consortium in the United States initiated by Church World Service and The Alliance to End Hunger, and expanded to include organizations like Bread for the World, MAZON – A Jewish response to Hunger, IPHN, Islamic Relief, and Feeding America. This campaign unites diverse faith communities in advocacy and action to end hunger, advancing the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in the US. Such initiatives demonstrate the power of collective action and the unique ability of faith-based organizations to galvanize support for the most vulnerable populations, serving as a model for global efforts.

A Call to Action: Sustaining Momentum and Fostering Collaboration

The theme of this year’s G20 Interfaith Forum—“Leave No One Behind”—is a call to action that resonates deeply across all faith traditions. As we prepare for the forum in Brasilia, the focus must remain on driving concrete actions and policies that can make a meaningful impact on the global fight against hunger and poverty. The discussions and outcomes from this forum will not only inform the upcoming G20 Summit but also provide a roadmap for sustained engagement by faith communities in the years ahead.

Maurice A. Bloem is the interim President/CEO of the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities as well as the Chief Sustainability and Impact Officer of Church World Service. He is also the creator of the 100-mile Hunger Walk. Learn more via 100mile.org.