The next step in fighting world famine
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by Chris Simon

Every year, students from across Canada participate in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine.

And for the past two years, Nantyr Shores Secondary School has become involved in the event. The school has seen the popularity of their branch of the event grow, from about 30 students last year to well over 100 this time. Hopefully, the event continues to grow, and maybe even expand into the community. It's a noble cause, especially since the students have pledged to raise at least $30 each, in the hopes of making a difference in the fight against world poverty.

And while it's great to see teenagers take an active interest in world politics, perhaps it's time for their elders to take one of the most crucial global battles to the next level. Perhaps it's time for voters to send a message to their politicians, letting them know that citizens do truly care about the world's poor.

According to World Vision, more than 15,000 children die from malnutrition across the planet each day. More than 852 million people are considered malnourished worldwide, with a vast majority living in developing countries. Of the malnourished, 153 million are children under the age of five.

But statistics tend to be more compelling when they hit close to home. And in North could use help. In the United States, 36.3 million people, including 13 million children, live in households that either experience or are at risk of hunger, according to World Vision.

Canada also has its issues. Between 1989 and 2000, food bank usage rose 96 per cent across the country, including a 9.4 per cent jump between 1997 and 2000. Overall, the national poverty rate varies between 12 and 17 per cent, according to a report completed by the charitable organization Citizens for Public Justice.

If the citizens of this country are committed to solving world poverty, starting closer to home may be the key to tackling the crisis, though it would certainly be a long-term and initially expensive solution. More pressure needs to be put on all levels of government to provide better social housing infrastructure, and access to jobs for Canada's poor. Only once the country's impoverished are cared for can it be looked upon as an example for the world to follow.

Next, the Canadian government should be pressuring other G8 nations to seriously focus on a solution to world poverty, while also developing its own long-term strategy. Foreign aid could be provided to poor countries in exchange for a checks and balances system that would allow wealthier nations to ensure government and charitable funding is being used to help the impoverished get access to adequate food, work and shelter.

Surely too, the latest agricultural methods used by wealthier nations, like genetically modified grains and vegetables, could be used to benefit poorer countries. Of course, excess food from wealthier countries could also be shipped to the poorest regions of the world.

Malnutrition can lead to stunted intellectual development and other serious health issues like anxiety, depression and chronic illness. From an economic standpoint, it also reduces productivity and places a greater strain on health care, education and other essential social services.

And while the 30 Hour Famine is an honourable project, it is limited. The famine takes place over only a few days per year, and its main target is teenagers, most of which are below voting age. But if adults can carry the spirit of their children to politicians, the goals of the 30 Hour Famine just might be reached.