At the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Doha, PaRD members amplify moral courage and practical solutions to end hunger and poverty worldwide.
Thirty years after the historic Copenhagen Summit, governments, multilateral organisations, and civil society leaders gathered for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) to renew global commitments to social justice, equity, and the 2030 Agenda. Among the key actors leveraging this momentum was the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which convened its First Leaders’ Meeting on the eve of the UN Summit – bringing together more than 100 countries and nearly 100 organisations in a collective effort to turn promises into progress.
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, launched in November 2024 under Brazil’s G20 Presidency, has rapidly evolved into a powerful platform for coordinated global action. Its mission: to galvanize political will, mobilize new partnerships, and accelerate the implementation of effective, country-led solutions to achieve SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
Faith-based organisations play an essential role in this alliance. The International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) joined the Leaders’ Meeting as proud member of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. Representing PaRD, Dinesh Suna, Programme Executive of the World Council of Churches (WCC) responsible for Land, Water, and Food Advocacy – and co-lead of PaRD’s WECARE workstream on Water, Environment, and Climate Action – expressed both urgency and hope:
“It is heartening to see so many concrete actions and solutions offered by various governments and CSOs, including FBOs, to address hunger and poverty.”
He drew attention to the Faith Leaders’ Statement on the Right to Food and Nutrition for Marginalised Communities including Children, jointly issued by the World Council of Churches, World Vision – all PaRD members – and Caritas Internationalis. The statement urges a fundamental shift in global priorities:
“While the world spends about three trillion dollars annually on militarisation, over 670 million people continue to suffer from chronic hunger. Governments must stop funding and waging wars that drive more people to hunger and starvation, especially children in Sudan and Gaza.”
Another strong PaRD voice at the meeting was Daniela (Dana) Buzducea, Leader for Advocacy and External Engagement at World Vision International. In her remarks, she emphasised the moral imperative and practical power of partnership:
“For over 75 years, we have co-created practical, evidence-based solutions with communities – serving all people regardless of religion or background, and bringing this learning into global spaces to drive systemic change.”
“This meeting is a source of hope for us here, but, more importantly, for the families and children who need solutions to cope with hunger and poverty today. We gather not only to reflect, but to act – to turn declarations into delivery, and promises into progress.”
Highlighting that the hunger crisis affecting over 333 million children is also a moral crisis, Buzducea reminded participants that “faith communities are part of the solutions. They are the first line of defence when children are at risk.”
The WSSD2, convened in Doha, marks a pivotal moment for the world to reaffirm the principles first articulated in Copenhagen – social justice, human dignity, and shared responsibility. As the Doha Political Declaration takes shape, the Global Alliance’s momentum demonstrates that multilateral cooperation rooted in moral conviction and practical action can make a measurable difference.
By engaging faith-based actors such as PaRD and its members, the Alliance strengthens its ethical foundation and deepens its reach into communities where hunger and poverty are most acute. Together, these networks remind the world that ending hunger is not only a policy priority – it is a moral duty and a test of our shared humanity.
